Star Trek V: The Undiscovered Country is all about the future. Inspired by a quote from Hamlet, "the undiscovered country" is a metaphor for the mysteries of what life and death will bring us. In this movie, we witness the universe in the middle of a massive shift: the Klingon Empire, longstanding foe of the United Federation of Planets, is on the verge of collapse. In the face of this historic change, some boldly fight for a better future, while others greedily cling to a disappearing past. Regardless of their motivations, the big players in this conflict are given an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future for generations to come. Which vision will win out?
Questions about Dreams, Hopes, and Plans
- Why is Kirk so afraid of the future?
- How does Gorkon's vision of the future differ from Chang's? What might cause this difference?
- Using evidence from the film, does it seem that peace will be lasting?
- Why is the phrase "the undiscovered country" significant? What does it say about our understanding of the future?
Chew on This
Kirk is afraid of the future because he has been conditioned by his past experiences and can't imagine things being different.
The key to the phrase "the undiscovered country" is that it touches on the fundamental unknowability of the future.