A/N: This was actually an assignment for school, we were supposed to write a parody for Shakespeare's "To be or Not to Be" speech from Hamlet. I really wanted to play Final Fantasy when I wrote this so this is what came out!
To Play or Not to Play
To play or not to play – that is the question
Is it better to face reality
With all it's troubles and tribulations,
Or to escape it all for a few hours
In a different realm? To play, to become-
No more- and by become I mean to
Take on the identity of another and view life through their eyes
To forget one's own self- it is an addiction
Too great to be resisted. To play, to become-
To be consumed by the story. There's the irony,
For by forgetting my troubles I am caught up in another's,
I fight for their lives, their cause, their dreams,
And for what? There's the care
That corrupts me and keeps me playing.
For really, who would sacrifice themselves to save the planet,
Leave all that is familiar and join a seemingly hopeless cause,
Bear the pain of love unrequited, fight against the law,
The ignorance of people, and the evil
Which threatens to tear apart humanity?
Not I, and yet I do, using the sword and magic
Of another. I leave my own familiar world,
And enter a fantasy realm, knowing that death
Can be cured with a simple feather,
Knowing that hours spent moving forward
Can be turned back in the instant I forget the sphere.
And some scenes will scar my heart forever,
Yet still I play,
Unafraid and willing to see the end,
Whether joyful or solemn
As I escape my reality to fight monsters of gold,
And villains of silver,
To know people I will never meet outside of stories
To save a world that will never know my name
And love one who loves another- But don't cry,
Not for me. –This is my life, my passion
And play I shall.