<p>Hey guys!
Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Here's the topic -
Can knowledge be a burden rather than a benefit?</p>
<p>Despite what many may thing, knowledge, more often that not, is a burden rather than a benefit. If one is to regard Hamlet from Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the Watergate scandal under Richard Nixon, or even their own lives, it is clear that sometimes a little too much knowledge can be devastating.</p>
<p>Hamlet, from Shakespeare's appropriately named "Hamlet," learns very early on in the first act that his father was killed by his uncle. This knowledge brings nothing but pain and sorrow to Hamlet. Hamlet must attempt to enact revenge on his uncle by killing him via Hamlet's insane disposition. What results is the eventual death of his lover, Ophelia, his mother, his uncle, and himself. Clearly, knowledge was a severe burden on Hamlet. If Hamlet had never found out about his father's murder, he could have possibly grown to enjoy his uncle. Instead, the knowledge that brought his relief ultimately became the burden of his demise.</p>
<p>Proof that knowledge is burdensome is not just evident in literature, but in history as well. At the time of Richard Nixon's second term, the world seemed a better place - we were pulling out of South Vietnam and the policy of detente was improving Cold War relations. However, knowledge soon surfaced of Nixon's involvement in the events of Watergate. What was uncovered was that Nixon was advocating the invasion of Democratic offices illegally. The court cases that hoped to convict Nixon further unveiled his involvement in the crime. With the knowledge of its president's faults, America felt a horrible burden of having to impeach a president who was very successful. This burden, once again, proved ill fated as the largely ineffective Henry Ford took office. Knowledge of Nixon's involvements in Watergate proved a significant burden to the American People, as a great cost.</p>
<p>If history and literature are not proof on the burdens of knowledge, perhaps personal experience is. My friend recently admitted to taking a liking towards me. This knowledge has brought a terrible burden upon me. Although I do not like her more than a friend, she will surely cry if I admit this to her. On the other hand, if I lie, I could end up hurting myself in the process. the knowledge that she wants us to become boyfriend and girlfriend leaves me with a terrible burden, that will lead to at least one of us being hurt.</p>
<p>In conclusion, knowledge does indeed become a burden. For further evidence of this truth, one can look towards Hamlet, Nixon, or my personal experiences. It is clear that these burdens do not outweigh the benefits of knowledge.</p>
<p>So, what do you guys think?</p>