HAMLET
What I think I know so far, and some predictions:
About two weeks ago, the only thing I knew about Hamlet was that it was by Shakespeare, and someone somewhere said "To be, or not to be, that is the question." Beyond that, nothing. I've never read it, never seen it, zip zilch nada. So everything that I now know about it is what I have learned in class. That said all my predictions/observations are probably super basic and in three weeks I'll be laughing at myself for writing this... so bear with me.
So, here is what I have learned thus far:
-There is some debate on the greatness of this play. It can either be seen as a great work, or a badly put-together tragedy with little behind it.
-The play is based in Elsinore, a rotten, corrupted, crazy place where no one can be trusted.
-Hamlet is a revenge tragedy. (think: The Lion King) Hamlet's father was killed by his own brother, who wanted to marry Hamlet's mom, his brother's wife. So, now Hamlet's ghost is telling Hamlet to revenge him. The first step of this plan is that Hamlet acts mad.
-We also get to meet another family that features in the play. Polonius is second in the kingdom, but would like to be first. His two children, Ophelia and Laertes, have a great (and very rare) relationship. Ophelia and Hamlet want to get married. If they did, and produced a child, and Hamlet was to die, Polonius could become the King (his ultimate goal).
And now, what I think about it:
-It is really hard to understand and read. I could use many more explanations on individual words and general going-ons. Also, I think it could help to listen to a recording, as opposed to having classmates read it aloud, since we (including myself) struggle with reading with the correct tone, pronunciations, flow, and often read it in a flat, boring voice. Listening to the actor's voices could be really helpful, but at the same time I understand the value in figuring things out for yourself.
-I'm not sure what to think of Ophelia. In class, Ms. Holmes keeps on asking what we think of Ophelia. Is she dumb? Cunning? Has she inherited some of her father's political shrewdness? I want to believe that she is cunning, but also wants to protect Hamlet, but on the other hand I'm getting this feeling that she is smart, but has her mind on the throne. When she gave up the love letters to her father to be read in public, she must have had a motive or else she wouldn't. Also, Hamlet did not trust her enough to show her that his madness is fake, and this says a lot about her if even her lover doesn't trust her.
-I also do like Hamlet, probably because I enjoyed his sense of humor when he calls Polonius a fishmonger, and then talks about how ugly old people are right in front of him, while pretending to be mad. Also, I kind of feel bad for him because he has to go through this whole thing alone, and doesn't trust anyone.
-So, my predictions. I know that for a majority of this play, Hamlet's going to strut around on stage wondering if he should go through with it, and then there's a big bloodbath at the end. So, I think he is going to be visited by the Ghost again, then kill his uncle/step dad, but then he's screwed. And then he dies, because you just can't kill the king. And many more are going to die. And I'm pretty sure Ophelia dies also... something in my mind is telling me she is just too lovesick and drowns...? Because after all, this is a tragedy.
I really liked how you split up what we have learned in this class so far and what you think about all of it. I agree with you in that it would be more helpful to listen to a recording of the play instead of fellow classmates assuming this role. I remember doing this freshmen year with Romeo and Juliet and found it much easier to follow. In my opinion, Ophelia is presented on the surface to look dumb but in reality she has an ulterior motives. When we first went through the play I thought Ophelia was just stupid to think that she would win back Hamlet's heart by plotting with her dads but when I began annotating I realized that she might be pregnant and is looking into the future for her son to get the throne. Overall great job with this!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a formatting that I never imagined using but I think it's a good idea. It would definitely help sort out everything. I wonder whether it would have been helpful for you to cover the last bit of what we talked about relating to Death of a Salesman as well, though it's true that with the long post we had to do with the summary and quotes and stuff, you'll have more than enough ways to remember everything about that. I'm reading this after having gone through the whole play several times now, so my responses to some of your predictions would be rather odd, at this point, except I was very impressed by you predicting that Ophelia would drown. I was familiar with that point, so I saw that coming, but I can imagine your triumph as you read that. I agree with your opinion on Hamlet; he's very clever and quite funny. As for Ophelia... Everyone has their own opinion, but especially with the bit worked in that we talked about involving her possible pregnancy, I think that she's really quite smart, but doesn't have any control over her life and slowly breaks apart - but fights it to the last - when she realizes that all of her potential protectors are dropping away from her. But anyway, great job with your response!
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