DRJ #4: Hamlet, Act IV & V
Initial reaction
I was not so eager to get to the end of Act V as I thought I would be, maybe because I remembered the ending from having read it 30 years ago. None the less, I found myself telling Hamlet to “Watch out for the poisoned sword!” I still wanted a happy ending!
Character Analysis: Hamlet
Of course Hamlet is our protagonist who is a tragic hero, but I like to think of him as a man-child who was coddled so much so that he fell apart when he should have stepped up to the throne. I think a prince should have been raised prepared for the potential assassination of his father, the King. Didn’t King Hamlet give him princely lessons with fencing lessons? Shakespeare did a great job giving Laertes strength and honor and Horatio good judgment and loyalty. By giving these characters that kind of depth we were able to see what was lacking in Hamlet.
Theme Analysis:
The theme I decided to focus on this time is Death/Life. I was impressed by Horatio wanting to drink from the poisoned goblet to show his “undying” loyalty to Hamlet. The meaning of loyalty was much different in Hamlet’s time than it is today and Horatio was willing to prove it to his death. Hamlet gives Horatio life by asking him to continue living so that he can tell Hamlet’s story, I’m assuming to preserve the family name. Ironically, Hamlet also gives Fortinbras a new and honorable life by giving the land his father took from Norway back along with all of Denmark. Horatio will give a new life to Denmark upon telling Hamlet’s story, changing its reputation from drunkards to heroes.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
DRJ #3
DRJ #3: Hamlet, Act III
Initial reaction
Act III was full of intensity which left me feeling both anxious and eager to get on to the next act and to the end. Hamlet verbally attacks Ophelia because she embodies what Hamlet believes the evils of all women. He believes if his mother could turn evil then all women can and he can no longer trust Ophelia or his love for her. The rising action of the play within the play was suspenseful. I felt some relief when Hamlet confronted his mother and am convinced she is guilty.
Character Analysis: Ophelia
The dynamic character Ophelia is a young girl embraced in innocence and naivety who accepts the affections of Hamlet prior to his father’s death. Ophelia enables us to see how drastically Hamlet’s character changes once the ghost visits him and he learns of his mother’s betrayal. Hamlet uses Ophelia to express his loathing for his mother by way of disparaging all women. Ophelia provides Hamlet the opportunity to express his hatred and distrust of his mother.
Theme Analysis:
The theme of this act was filled with guilt and sin. In the first scene Hamlet expresses his guilt and not having fulfilled his commitment to avenge his father. Hamlet confronts his mother Gertrude is struck with guilt and her sins are exposed. Claudius immediately recognizes the dramatic irony in the play and calls for it to stop. When he is alone he is overcome with guilt and prays to God to forgive him his sins.
Initial reaction
Act III was full of intensity which left me feeling both anxious and eager to get on to the next act and to the end. Hamlet verbally attacks Ophelia because she embodies what Hamlet believes the evils of all women. He believes if his mother could turn evil then all women can and he can no longer trust Ophelia or his love for her. The rising action of the play within the play was suspenseful. I felt some relief when Hamlet confronted his mother and am convinced she is guilty.
Character Analysis: Ophelia
The dynamic character Ophelia is a young girl embraced in innocence and naivety who accepts the affections of Hamlet prior to his father’s death. Ophelia enables us to see how drastically Hamlet’s character changes once the ghost visits him and he learns of his mother’s betrayal. Hamlet uses Ophelia to express his loathing for his mother by way of disparaging all women. Ophelia provides Hamlet the opportunity to express his hatred and distrust of his mother.
Theme Analysis:
The theme of this act was filled with guilt and sin. In the first scene Hamlet expresses his guilt and not having fulfilled his commitment to avenge his father. Hamlet confronts his mother Gertrude is struck with guilt and her sins are exposed. Claudius immediately recognizes the dramatic irony in the play and calls for it to stop. When he is alone he is overcome with guilt and prays to God to forgive him his sins.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Hamlet, Act II
DRJ #2: Hamlet, Act II
Initial reaction
Is Hamlet faking his madness? If so, to what advantage? Why does he not explain himself to Polonius? Is he angry at Polonius for showing respect to the new King? Is Polonius a slightly senile, silly romantic old man? Why does Polonius jump to conclusions? Why doesn’t Ophelia question Hamlet herself? Why doesn’t Hamlet share his feelings and confide in Ophelia?
Character Analysis:
Polonius the father of Ophelia and Laertes, is the foil character to Hamlet. Polonius’s exposition provides opportunities to witness Hamlet’s cleverness, frustration, and anger. Hamlet uses Polonius to show his disrespect to the crown and everyone in the Kings court. Through him Hamlet shows his subtle frustration and anger. Polonius isn’t quite sure if Hamlet is mad or not.
Theme Analysis:
Polonius shows his everlasting loyalty to the King by falling over himself to provide answers and solutions to what is wrong with Hamlet. Although his immediate conclusions are wrong, he is passionately going to prove he has figured Hamlet out. Polonius’s stealthy idea to prove and expose Hamlet as crazy in love is done to once again prove his loyalty to the King.
Initial reaction
Is Hamlet faking his madness? If so, to what advantage? Why does he not explain himself to Polonius? Is he angry at Polonius for showing respect to the new King? Is Polonius a slightly senile, silly romantic old man? Why does Polonius jump to conclusions? Why doesn’t Ophelia question Hamlet herself? Why doesn’t Hamlet share his feelings and confide in Ophelia?
Character Analysis:
Polonius the father of Ophelia and Laertes, is the foil character to Hamlet. Polonius’s exposition provides opportunities to witness Hamlet’s cleverness, frustration, and anger. Hamlet uses Polonius to show his disrespect to the crown and everyone in the Kings court. Through him Hamlet shows his subtle frustration and anger. Polonius isn’t quite sure if Hamlet is mad or not.
Theme Analysis:
Polonius shows his everlasting loyalty to the King by falling over himself to provide answers and solutions to what is wrong with Hamlet. Although his immediate conclusions are wrong, he is passionately going to prove he has figured Hamlet out. Polonius’s stealthy idea to prove and expose Hamlet as crazy in love is done to once again prove his loyalty to the King.
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