:( the worlds a scumbag

This story is about how a father pays and pays for his son to be important and noticed, but in the end the son died and that was it. It creates a creeping mood of life being meaningless. He seems to love his son and spends so much money, but after all that, no amount of money can save someone you love. The authors theme is: life is horrible and horrible things happen. “Thord could scarcely believe it” In the story, everything was going well, but suddenly his son dies and that’s that. The priest couldn’t even recognize him, a year from his son’s death. His life was so unselfish, and still he had bad things happen. Sorrow filled this great man’s life. He loved his son, but even that couldn’t save him from a random boating accident.

STUDY STUDY

You can practice writing an essay with this short story. If you post it on the blog I will grade it (for no actual credit) so that you know what to fix for the final exam!:)

PROMPT
Write a literary analysis in which you identify the theme of Bjornson's story and analyze how he uses various literary elements and devices to underscore his message. In other words, what is his message and how does he achieve it?

The Father
By Bjornstjerne Bjornson

THE MAN whose story is here to be told was the wealthiest and most influential person in his parish; his name was Thord Overaas. He appeared in the priest’s study one day, tall and earnest.	1
“I have gotten a son,” said he, “and I wish to present him for baptism.”	2
“What shall his name be?”	3
“Finn,—after my father.”	4
“And the sponsors?”	5
They were mentioned, and proved to be the best men and women of Thord’s relations in the parish.	6
“Is there anything else?” inquired the priest, and looked up.	7
The peasant hesitated a little.	8
“I should like very much to have him baptized by himself,” said he finally.	9
“That is to say on a week day?”	10
“Next Saturday, at twelve o’clock noon.”	11
“Is there anything else?” inquired the priest.	12
“There is nothing else;” and the peasant twirled his cap, as though he were about to go.	13
Then the priest arose. “There is yet this, however,” said he, and walking toward Thord, he took him by the hand and looked gravely into his eyes: “God grant that the child may become a blessing to you!”	14
One day sixteen years later, Thord stood once more in the priest’s study.	15
“Really, you carry your age astonishingly well, Thord,” said the priest; for he saw no change whatever in the man.	16
“That is because I have no troubles,” replied Thord.	17
To this the priest said nothing, but after a while he asked: “What is the pleasure this evening?”	18
“I have come this evening about that son of mine who is to be confirmed to-morrow.”	19
“He is a bright boy.”	20
“I did not wish to pay the priest until I heard what number the boy would have when he takes his place in church to-morrow.”	21
“He will stand number one.”	22
“So I have heard; and here are ten dollars for the priest.”	23
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” inquired the priest, fixing his eyes on Thord.	24
“There is nothing else.”	25
Thord went out.	26
Eight years more rolled by, and then one day a noise was heard outside of the priest’s study, for many men were approaching, and at their head was Thord, who entered first.	27
The priest looked up and recognized him.	28
“You come well attended this evening, Thord,” said he.	29
“I am here to request that the banns may be published for my son; he is about to marry Karen Storliden, daughter of Gudmund, who stands here beside me.”	30
“Why, that is the richest girl in the parish.”	31
“So they say,” replied the peasant, stroking back his hair with one hand.	32
The priest sat awhile as if in deep thought, then entered the names in his book, without making any comments, and the men wrote their signatures underneath. Thord laid three dollars on the table.	33
“One is all I am to have,” said the priest.	34
“I know that very well; but he is my only child; I want to do it handsomely.”	35
The priest took the money.	36
“This is now the third time, Thord, that you have come here on your son’s account.”	37
“But now I am through with him,” said Thord, and folding up his pocket-book he said farewell and walked away.	38
The men slowly followed him.	39
A fortnight later, the father and son were rowing across the lake, one calm, still day, to Storliden to make arrangements for the wedding.	40
“This thwart is not secure,” said the son, and stood up to straighten the seat on which he was sitting.	41
At the same moment the board he was standing on slipped from under him; he threw out his arms, uttered a shriek, and fell overboard.	42
“Take hold of the oar!” shouted the father, springing to his feet and holding out the oar.	43
But when the son had made a couple of efforts he grew stiff.	44
“Wait a moment!” cried the father, and began to row toward his son.	45
Then the son rolled over on his back, gave his father one long look, and sank.	46
Thord could scarcely believe it; he held the boat still, and stared at the spot where his son had gone down, as though he must surely come to the surface again. There rose some bubbles, then some more, and finally one large one that burst; and the lake lay there as smooth and bright as a mirror again.	47
For three days and three nights people saw the father rowing round and round the spot, without taking either food or sleep; he was dragging the lake for the body of his son. And toward morning of the third day he found it, and carried it in his arms up over the hills to his gard.	48
It might have been about a year from that day, when the priest, late one autumn evening, heard some one in the passage outside of the door, carefully trying to find the latch. The priest opened the door, and in walked a tall, thin man, with bowed form and white hair. The priest looked long at him before he recognized him. It was Thord.	49
“Are you out walking so late?” said the priest, and stood still in front of him.	50
“Ah, yes! it is late,” said Thord, and took a seat.	51
The priest sat down also, as though waiting. A long, long silence followed. At last Thord said:—	52
“I have something with me that I should like to give to the poor; I want it to be invested as a legacy in my son’s name.”	53
He rose, laid some money on the table, and sat down again. The priest counted it.	54
“It is a great deal of money,” said he.	55
“It is half the price of my gard. I sold it to-day.”	56
The priest sat long in silence. At last he asked, but gently:—	57
“What do you propose to do now, Thord?”	58
“Something better.”	59
They sat there for a while, Thord with downcast eyes, the priest with his eyes fixed on Thord. Presently the priest said, slowly and softly:—	60
“I think your son has at last brought you a true blessing.”	61
“Yes, I think so myself,” said Thord, looking up while two big tears coursed slowly down his cheeks.	62

Imagery in the Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien is famous for his work on the Hobbit. One of the many things that makes the Hobbit such a widely praised book is its expert use of Imagery. From the first few pages until the end Tolkien uses vivid and descriptive words to describe creatures that many of us have never heard of before. If it were not for his in depth description of these creatures he could not really pull off the story because many of us would not feel we have a good enough understanding of the characters. 

From the very beginning of the story words that Tolkien use begin to pop out at the reader, words like “perfectly round”, “exact middle’, and “luxurious” help the reader imagine a world that is totally foreign and strange to them. As the tale progresses the need for words that create detailed and authentic pictures in the readers mind becomes even more important. Without the use of imagery in the story many people would find the story far less interesting because they simply could not imagine what Tolkien was imagining when he wrote the novel. He even describes the little things like belts and what kind of cake Bilbo likes which give the story a much more personal feeling to its audience. 

Without the all important use of Imagery in the Hobbit it fail to be as personal and relatable to the reader. 

Dont watch this...

Oh gosh... this is realllly bad....

Lyrics to the song: Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down and Id like to take a minute, just sit right there, ill tell you how I went and chased a dragon out of its lair. Bag end, Hobbit town, born and raised, on my front porch where I spent most of my days, hangin out, smokin, relaxin, all cool and smokin a pipe outside on a stool when a big old wizard, who was up to no good, Tried to make me leave my neighborhood, I told him no way but I said im not square, He said your going to steal from a dragon in its lair.

Link to the Original song if you have lived under a rock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBe0VCso0qs

Why Bilbo is Da shtarrr

Gandalf the reporter

i forgot lines and made weird faces..... just to explain..

Imagery in The Hobbit

     J.R.R Tolkien's epic, The Hobbit, transports the reader into another realm filled with fantastic beings and objects through the utilization of imagery. The imagery used not only helps create a mental picture of the setting, but is also used to portray the main character, symbolize, and foreshadow events.
     The description of Bilbo's little hobbit-hole is the first example of imagery. The "floors tiled and carpeted" (3), the "perfectly round door...with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle" (3), and the "deep-set round windows [that looked] over his garden, and meadows beyond..."(3) all show of the hobbit's particular,  calm personality at the beginning of the story. Furthermore, the imagery of Bilbo's approaching the Lonely Mountain has two different kind of effects. For instance, as he draws closer to the mountain, the trees, shore, and cliff disappear, leaving the mountain alone. This picture may signify Bilbo's taking leadership over the dwarves and over their situation. Secondly, the mountain's "dark head" (205) shows through "a torn cloud" (205) and "looms" (205). This sinister setting foreshadows the peril the mountain holds for Bilbo and the dwarves.
     Imagery plays a key part in The Hobbit. Without it, the story would lack depth and meaning. The reader wouldn't feel involved and would lose much understanding of the main character's situation and outlook on events.

Imagery in "The Hobbit"

     Tolkien used imagery profusely in his novel "The Hobbit". Through the use of this imagery, he was able to make Bilbo's great adventure come to life. For example, in chapter 10 "A Warm Welcome", Tolkien incorporates vivid imagery of Lake Town as well as the dwarfs' miserable journey over there. The wet straw in Thorin's draggled beard gave the readers a mental image of the soggy dwarf. Also, in chapter 13 "Not at Home", he describes the Arkenstone with imagery. It is described as a large gem that took in light and changed it into sparks of white with the colors of the rainbow. Through this visual imagery he describes the Arkenstone's brilliance. Additionally in chapter 11 "On the Doorstep", imagery is used to describe the ominous Lonely Mountain. Tolkien writes that the Lonely Mountain was towering grim and tall in front of them. By this description the mountain feels very intimidating. Imagery in this novel creates feelings from fear to humor. Tolkien utilizes both functions of imagery in his book thoroughly.

e s s a y

     What is a good book without vivid, descriptive vocabulary? No one likes to read a monotonous, bland story without imagery to lean on; fortunately, we do not have to face such a miserable case with The Hobbit. The Hobbit is filled with numerous accounts of imagery. Not only does the imagery Tolkien employs help to provide a visualization for the reader, but it also evokes a deeper meaning.

     First and foremost, to understand Tolkien's use of imagery, one must understand imagery itself. Imagery is vocabulary that requires the reader to use all five senses, providing mental images, motifs, or bringing memories to mind. There are two types of imagery: literal and figurative. In the case of The Hobbit, Tolkien focuses and utilizes figurative imagery more than literal.  Figurative imagery can be classified as meaning more than just what is says, mainly by applying simile, metaphor, and personification (and the like), as Tolkien does in The Hobbit.

     For instance, similes are used to describe Elrond, the master of the house, by saying, "He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer" (49 Tolkien). All of these similes act as foreshadows to Bilbo's upcoming journey, almost in an ironic way. Ironically because the summer months were not kind to them, for example.

     Tolkien takes advantage of metaphor in his epic as well. When describing Gandalf, he says, "Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his hat" (5). In the same way that it provides a mental image of Gandalf's appearance, Tolkien is also implying that Gandalf is slightly shady in his ways. We do not come to this realization until further reading the story when Gandalf departs from Bilbo and the dwarves unexpectedly.

     Furthermore, personification is found in The Hobbit too. While journeying on, it is stated that the "wind got up, and willows along its banks bent and sighed" (30). Obviously, wind cannot bend and sigh as we humans can - this is personification. In addition to this personification adding imagery to the text, it leaves me feeling eerie; almost like something in the air is mysterious. A few sentences later, it is revealed the Gandalf is gone.

     J.R.R. Tolkien does an excellent job providing readers imagery that will hold attention. He does so by leaving the reader to ponder the deeper meaning of similes, metaphors, or personification. All readers appreciate something to visualize; and it is because of that, that Tolkien holds a high place in literature.

    

     
     
    

Homework

- finish The Hobbit

The Blog

-essay how does tolkien use imagery to create meaning
 (OR)
- 3 minute video blog explaining why Bilbo is the real hero, rather than Thorin who the leader of the quest.

Next week is Review week. come with questions!

Also- if you need video blog inspiration, youtube Jordy Searcy- The Author Project. 

Homework

Easy Week!
Just read the first half of the Hobbit!
Make sure you annotate and I suggest you take a few minutes every day looking over the material we've covered to prepare for the exam in a couple weeks! (definitions in each chapter, character arcs, essay tips etc)

have fun!

The Life of J.R.R Tolkien

Born January 3rd, 1894 J.R.R Tolkien is one of the greatest authors in our history. Growing up was no walk in the park for Tolkien. His father died when he was young and then was home schooled by his mother before heading to oxford for collage. Starting out as a poet, Tolkien soon discovered that writing was his true calling. He also enjoyed making up languages which eventually turned into elvish. Lord of the rings was Influanced strongly by Germanic mythology, Greek mythology, and the bible. The Lord of the rings trilogy and the hobbit were by far his most esteemed and popular work. Sadly, Tolkien died on The 2nd of september 1973 and was buried next to his wife Edith. 

J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien was born to an English banker and his wife on January 3rd, 1892. When he was still a young child his father died of a fever while J.R.R. and the rest of the family was visiting family in England. Until attending college at King Edwards’s School he was exclusively schooled by his mother. Tolkien did not immediately join the fight upon the outbreak of World War 1, but instead waited until he graduated from college so that the could commission instead of enlisting. In 1925 he took a job at Oxford as a professor. During this time he would go on to write The Hobbit and the beginning of the Lord of the Rings series which are considered his greatest works. Tolkien would eventually die in 1973.

Drinking Writing, and Puffing on a Pipe.

             John ronald Reuel Tolkien was born in 1892 in Bloemfontein, in what is now South Africa. His name was fairly normal but Reuel was a family name that meant “friend of God” in Hebrew. Arthur and Mable, his parents, were from england and met and married in africa. Tolkien was a weak child and the wildlife and climate didn’t agree with him and his brother Hilary. A tarantula bit him and that began his lifelong fear of spiders. Maybe influencing Shelob in the Lord of the Rings and the horrors of Mirkwood in the Hobbit. Mable finally decided to take the two boys to England and meet back in Africa with Arthur when the boys were strong enough. Soon after they left, Arthur died of an untreated flu. Tolkien always felt like it was his fault, because his mother could have helped his father if he hadn’t been weak. Tolkien and the rest of the family settled in Sarehole, a town near Birmingham. When writing, Tolkien would base the shire and hobbits from the people who lived there. The long walks through the fields were good for Tolkien and inspired his imagination. He invented three or four languages before he was 10. Mable disapproved of such activities because they took away from studies. Tolkien was already a lazy student but so smart that he learned wether he wanted to or not. In 1903 he won a scholarship to the King Edward the sixth school in Birmingham, the best school in the area. Mable died in 1904 but Mable had prepared and they were sent to an private orphanage.

             Tolkien never stopped loving languages, and by the age of 16 he mastered Greek, Latin, and was very close to mastering Anglo-Saxon. He also fell in love with another orphan, Edith mary Bratt, she was two years older than him. She was worried that him and his brother did not get enough to eat so she persuaded a maid to help her create a trolly between the kitchen to their bedroom. When they were found out, their relationship was also uncovered and she was forbidden to see, visit, or write to each other. That kept them apart until she was an adult and he was in oxford.

           The war was coming quickly when he was in Oxford, but he was determined to finish before going to war. When he did, he was rewarded second lieutenant because of his degree. The war left scar after scar on his life until he went down with trench fever. While in the hospital he wrote the Silmarillian to create a mythology and background for his Elvish language. He was released from the war in 1919. when he returned, he found most of friends dead.

             He had recently married his childhood love, Edith, and they had their first son John Francis Reuel Tolkien. He became a tutor and substitute teacher. He had his second son in 1920 and in 1921 he was named Reader of the English Language at the university of Leeds. later he was named the Professor of the English Language in 1924. His students remember him puffing on a pipe, drinking large quantities of beer and telling jokes. A year later he accepted a position at Oxford, The chair of Bosworth and Rawlinson Professor of Anglo-saxon. Tolkien had a group of friends like C.S. Lewis and Owen Barfield that met and conversed about their writings, for 30 years, they were called the inklings. The Hobbit was published in 1936 and he began on the Lord of the Rings in 1937. the Inklings helped to shape these great books through the years. The final draft was in 1949. At first he opposed the though of splitting them up but he was soon persuaded. He became outrageously famous. Receiving many awards. His mail was always full and he spent a lot of time writing back and answering question after question. He was one of the most famous writers in the world, as was his friend C.S. Lewis.

            In 1972 Edith died from illness and Tolkien was never the same. He was very lonely for the last year of his life, no matter how many visits his children made. He died in 1973.

--J.R.R. Tolkien--

     John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, or better known as J.R.R. Tolkien, is a greatly admired author. His two most popular stories, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, offers readers a chance to escape to another world inhabited by magic creatures. His life followed the classic rags to riches pattern. He began on the upside of poverty and ended life rich and well-known.
    J.R.R. Tolkien was born January 3, 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa to an English couple. After his father, Arthur Reuel Tolkien, died February 15, 1896, Tolkien, his brother Hilary and their mother Mabel moved to England. In 1900, Mabel decided to be part of the Roman Catholic Church. As a result, her boys grew to be strong Catholics. Mabel passed away from diabetes November 14, 1904. Her boys stayed at a boarding house and were taken care of  by the parish priest, Father Francis Morgan. At the age of sixteen, Tolkien met his future wife, Edith Bratt, at the boarding house. Father Francis disallowed him to have any contact with Edith until he reached the age of twenty-one. When Tolkien was nineteen, he studied at Exeter College, Oxford, quitting the Classics course after finding he was more suited for the English language and Literature courses. Instead of admitting himself for service at the beginning of World War I, he studied more, earining a first-class degree in June of 1915. Eventually, he entered the war as a second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers. After finding he needed to fight in France, he married Edith. Four months later in France, he contracted "trench fever" and had to return to England. Tolkien and Mabel had four children together and lived a happy life in England. He held jobs as a professor, a tutor, a philologist, a poet, and an author. He lived until September 2, 1973. He is buried with his wife in Oxford.
     Tolkien published many works over his life. This includes Mr. Bliss, The Father Christmas Letters, The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays, The Hobbit, Smith of Wootton Major, and The Lord of the Rings among others. The Lord of the Rings brought him fame and wealth. People would visit his house and call him asking questions about the story. It got to where he had to change his address and take his phone number out of the directory. Tolkien and his wife finally had to move to Bournemouth to get away from the attention.
     Tolkien was one of the founders of the Inklings, a group of friends who lived in Oxford. They met to visit and discuss their unfinished literary works. Some of the members include Neville Coghill, Hugo Dyson, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams, and C.S. Lewis.
     J.R.R. Tolkien was a brilliant writer who could stimulate the imaginations of others. He had a special talent that many people don't have. He employed it by using words to transport people to another world that didn't exist. His stories are enjoyed now just as they were then and will still be loved for generations more.

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

     John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born January 3, 1892. He was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa to Mabel Suffield and Arthur Reuel Tolkien. When he was only four years old, his father died, leaving him, his brother Hilary, and his mother to take care of themselves. After his death, the three moved to England where Tolkien would later find inspiration for his books. He was taught by his mother and by the age of four, he was able to read. As a child he enjoyed reading and preferred the fantasy styled books over books like "The Pied Piper" and "Treasure Island". When he was twelve, his mother died and he went to live with Francis Xavier Morgan, his assigned guardian. Later he fell in love with Edith Bratt who he would later marry. They were happily married for over fifty years and had four children. Tolkien was devoted to his wife and children and would write stories for them. In 1945 he became a Merton of English Language and Literature during which time he completed "The Lord of the Rings" that he had started nearly a decade earlier. He had begun the task after recieving the request for a sequel for "The Hobbit". Initially, Tolkien had not planned for "The Hobbit" to be published until he was convinced to by Susan Dagnall of a London publishing firm. At the age of eighty-one he died, but he is still remebered for his beloved works.

J.R.R.

        Best known as author of The Hobbit and its sequel The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. At the age of 4, his father Arthur Tolkien died. In order to save money, Tolkien’s mother Mabel moved the family to England. Not long after, his mother died and he was sent to live with a relative. He enlisted as a lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers and served in World War 1, but was eventually released from duty due to illness. During his term in the war, Tolkien married Edith Bratt. Only a few years later he became a professor at Oxford university where he remained until retirement. He began a writing group called the Inklings and discussed his upcoming books with men in the group such as C.S. Lewis and Owen Barfield. In 1937 his award-winning fantasy novel The Hobbit  was published. Following this work, he finished up the trilogy in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring and in 1955 The Return of the King. Tolkien retired from his professorial job in 1959 and went on to publish his essay and poetry collection. On September 2, 1973, at the age of 81 J.R.R. Tolkien died.  

Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born in South Africa in the year of 1892, on January 3 into the parents of Arthur and Mabel Tolkien. After Tolkien's father past away, he and Mabel both moved to England; they lived there until 1904, when Mabel's life was taken from her. As a result of the Tolkien boys being without parents, they moved into the care of a Catholic priest, Father Francis Morgen. While residing there, John and Hilary experienced education. Furthermore, Tolkien extended that education into Exeter College, where he earned a minor degree in Language and Language Arts. Following that achievement, he joined the military during World War I, becoming lieutenant in Lancashire Fusiliers. When Tolkien began dealing with sickness, he left the army, later marrying Edith Bratt in 1916. Following his marriage, Tolkien enrolled in Oxford University as a linguistics professor. The year 1930 rolled around and sparked Tolkien's famous works: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In 1973, J.R.R. Tolkien's life came to a close. All remember this man as a notable author who produced well-known works, which are still being purchased and read today.

J.r.r. Tolkien and his oh-so interesting life.

     John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3rd 892 in Bloemfontein South Africa to Mabel and Arthur Tolkien. Directly following his Father's sudden death was the move of Mabel and John to Birmingham, England where they lived until 1904 when diabetes claimed the life of Tolkien's mother. Both the Tolkien boys; John and Hilary moved under the wing of Catholic priest Father Francis Morgen where they worked through school. John attended at Exeter college where he earned his first minor degree and strived for more in the field of Language and language arts. He enlisted in the military for World War One as a lieutenant in Lancashire Fusiliers. Due to illnesses he was released from the army and he pursued marriage with his childhood love Edith Bratt in 1916. Shortly thereafter he became a professor at Oxford University and there he furthered his knowledge of languages.  In 1930 he kicked off what would be his best known works; The Hobbit and in 1954-55 would end the trilogy of The Lord Of The Rings. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien died in 1973 at the age of 81 a successful and well-loved author.

Homework

This week

-Read and do all the work in chapter 14 on Irony
- OPTIONAL- begin reading hobbit. You'll have two weeks to do this so if you'd like more time go ahead and get started.
-Blog a brief bio on J. R. R. Tolkien and/or the Inklings.


Anndd

If you're interested in the University of Mobile check out this awesome article on our honors program-

http://www.umobile.edu/NewsEvents/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1608/University-of-Mobile-Honors-Program-Invites-Students-to-Continue-Conversations-from-3000-BC.aspx

Horatio and Hamlet

The classic tale Hamlet by William Shakespeare is filled with many colorful and distinct characters. One of the things that make this story so striking is the vivid relationships between the characters. The most apparent relationship present in the story is the one between Hamlet and his best friend Horatio. Even though they are close friends they are quite different from another.

When studying the story of hamlet one of the biggest things that jumps out is how disloyal Hamlet appears. He trusts few people and is trusted by even less. Horatio on the other hand is one of the most consistent characters in the story. He has an unwavering loyalty to his good friend Hamlet. 

Another significant difference between the two is how strange Hamlet starts acting while Horatio remains relatively unchanged throughout the scenario. During the story Hamlet starts to act as if he has gone mad to fool his sneaky foes. Horatio, though, demonstrates his unchanging attributes by staying level headed and making rational well thought out decisions.

Lastly, the difference with the biggest and most influential implication is how Hamlet becomes overcome with the sense of revenge. These over controlling emotions that poss him eventually lead to his demise. Horatio’s cool head leads to him being the only main character to live to the end of the story. 

These many dissimilarities between Hamlet and Horatio make the story not just more relatable but they also adds depth to the story. 

Horatio

     Hamlet and Horatio's relationship is the most non skewed relationship in the entire play. They both have an equal respect for each other and have no ulterior motive for being friends with each other. No matter what horatio was loyal to hamlet even when hamlet asked him to preform a sting operation on his stepfather/uncle. Horatio and Hamlets relationship never falters even when Hamlet starts to (actually) go insane. Hamlet is the loose cannon in the friendship and Horatio is more sound minded thinking more before he acts. The similarities between Hamlet and Horatio is that they are both extremely smart. Their friendship serves as hope throughout the play that the play is not entirely about pain and conspiracy. Horatio is also the only main character who lives at the end of the play. Hamlet even told him to not commit suicide before he died. Horatio is (to me) the most likable person in the play because he never betrays hamlet and does not go insane.

Hammy and Horatio

       In the story of Hamlet, prince Hamlet and his best friend Horatio are very different. Horatio is is the ultimate loyal friend. He accepts his life and the world as it is rather than driving himself mad by questioning all apparent realities and truths. His intelligence is admired by Marcellus and Bernardo; such as in scene one when the ghost appears and they ask Horatio to "approve our eyes and speak to it." Horatio is quick witted and can follow Hamlet's intense play with words but does not feel obligated to engage in them. Horatio loves Hamlet so much that he would rather die than to go on living life without his best friend. He trusts Hamlet and supports all but one of his decisions which was when Hamlet plans the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
        Hamlet on the other hand is selfish, thinking only of himself and his revenge throughout most of the story. He uses his 'madness' and eccentric word plays to appear innocent and unknowing while he plans his revenge. He questions himself and all apparent realities such as who his his friends are, if his mother really know Claudius is a murderer, and if he loves Ophelia or not. Hamlet does trust Horatio, but he does not express his love and admiration for him until he lies on his death bed. He entrusts Horatio with his dying will to tell the true story of his and his father's death. And in Hamlet's way, this is how he shows his love for Horatio.

Hamatio and Horlet

The purpose of Hamlet and Horatio's relationship in Shakespeare's Hamlet stands as a
 significant one; to provide an ounce of sun in the otherwise dark story, to form a
 foil to Hamlet and the rest of the characters and finally, to add humanity.

Hamlet's reality seems unfair. His father has been murdered, his mother has latched on to
the most readily available suitor and his love doesn't necessarily want to love him anymore.
 Dark times in Denmark. Horatio first and foremost adds light to the dark circumstances
with his annual release of comedic matters with Hamlet that are not laced with Sarcasm. The friendship is placed in the story to make the sinister deeds and words of the King, Queen etc. look grosser in comparison to the purity of the relationship.

 Contrasting sharply to the rest of the characters with sincerity,
Horatio and Hamlet's relationship feels honest and true, and Horatio's sacrificial and considerate
 mannerisms act as the perfect foil to the greed and selfishness of the main characters in Hamlet. Whereas Hamlet remains obsessed with revenge and takes his wishes to the grave, Horatio sacrificially offers suicide to make even with Hamlet but is commanded to tell his story, to which he complies.

Furthermore, humanity among the savagery of revenge and murder is added with the touching moments of sincere friendship that crop up occasionally with Horatio and Hamlet. The platonic affection they have for one another is apparent through Horatio's sacrifices and actions toward Hamlet. The darkness of the play is evened out with the few rays of positivity delivered by Hamlet and Horatio.

Horatio and Hamlet

     The friendship between Hamlet and Horatio is a vital part of the play because their relationship gives

insight into Hamlet’s character throughout the entire play. Horatio is the only character Hamlet can

really trust. He is the only one that knows that Hamlets madness is an act. Not only does Horatio know

that Hamlet is still sane, but he also sees the ghost. This helps to prove that Hamlet really sees a Ghost.   

Hamlet could soliloquize until the end, but his conversations with Horatio really help ground the play in

reality. Apart from the soliloquies, the conversations between Hamlet and Horatio are really the only

sight we have to Hamlets true thoughts and feelings.  If it were not for Horatio there would be no

questioning Hamlets insanity.  Hamlet admires Horatio for the qualities which he does not have himself;

Things like being able to speak to the ghost without fear, and have self control. When Hamlet is dying,

Horatio is ready for suicide. He does not want to live if his best friend cannot live too. While Hamlet is

dying he asks Horatio to take over Denmark and help form it back into what it is supposed to be. He still

thinks heavily about suicide, but then decides not to act out of his uncontrollable emotions but in a

sense of honor help the people in Denmark as his dying friend asked.  

It is Horatio who makes Hamlet who he is and it is Horatio who makes Hamlet the powerful tragedy it

has proven itself to be.

Opposites Attract

     Hamlet and Horatio shared a very special relationship. Even though their characteristics were complete opposites, their friendship lasted until Hamlet's parting.
     Hamlet was unstable in his thoughts. He questioned as to whether it would be better to live or die and shifts between killing his uncle Claudius or leaving him be. He showed anger towards his mother, his uncle and his life's situation. He resorted to acting crazy with the idea of getting by with murdering his uncle, just as he got by with the accidental murder of Polonius without serious punishment. Hamlet put his sharp tongue to use on several occasions. The victims of his harsh words wouldn't even know that they have been insulted. For example, after Hamlet tells Rosencrantz that the king is using him, Rosencrantz says that he does not understand. Hamlet replies "I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear" (Act IV, Scene II, lines 23-24). Rosencrantz is oblivious to the statement and asks where Polonius's body is. Hamlet was also unpredictable. His acting insane added to the uncertainty of his schemes and actions.
     Horatio was skeptical and sensible. For instance, he wouldn't believe that King Hamlet appeared as a ghost until he saw it with his own eyes. He was also very loyal to Hamlet in the way that he endured through his ever-changing plans and requests. In addition to these traits, he was trustworthy. When Hamlet asks him to keep his father's ghost and his pretending to be crazy a secret, Horatio kept quiet. He also carried out Hamlet's final wish to tell people the story of what really happened.
     Hamlet and Horatio's relationship served two purposes in the play. One purpose is to offer the reader insight to Hamlet's thoughts and plans. Hamlet told Horatio many things, whether it was his thoughts on the grave digger's handling of the dead or his plan to "catch the conscience of the King" (Act II, Scene II, line 634). Horatio was Hamlet's confidant. He was really the only person Hamlet felt comfortable talking to. The second purpose of their friendship is to exaggerate the other character. For example, Hamlet was unpredictable in his ideas and schemes whereas Horatio remained the same- loyal and trustworthy. Hamlet insulted others in comparison to Horatio who was gentle and always agreed to whatever Hamlet said. Despite their differences, their friendship stayed true and strong to the end.

Hamlet vs. Horatio

     Horatio and Hamlet are opposites. Horatio's predominant characteristic is loyalty. Hamlet, on the other hand, is a strong-willed, self-centered character. He is very unforgiving of his friends and family and harshly judges them. Despite this behavior, Horatio stays by his side, assisting him in any way he can. Hamlet often takes advantage of his loyalty as well as the loyalty of others. Horatio does not question Hamlet's requests and kindly replies, "Here, sweet lord, at your service" (139) when he is called. He also shows concern for Hamlet when he decides to follow the ghost that was summoning him. He tells him that he shouldn't go for the chance that the ghost may, "...draw [him] into madness..." (53). Hamlet does not heed this warning. This happens again when Horatio warns Hamlet that if he has a bad feeling about the match against Laertes then he should listen to it. However, again in his stubborn manner, he proceeds to go anyway. Up until Hamlet's death Horatio remained a faithful friend and after he died, he mourned over him.
     Their friendship was a vital part to the play. With their relationship, Shakespeare highlighted Hamlet's obstinacy and selfish attitude. This friendship also displayed the loyalty that his friends and family have for him. Horatio's personality serves as a foil character to Hamlet in this way. His role in the play is important as the contrasting personality to Hamlet.

Horatio, My Man!

                Horatio is a man’s man.  He possesses loyalty and is a liegeman to Hamlet.  He is good humored and is intelligent.  His scholarly position serves as suspense of disbelief for the audience when the ghost of the king enters the stage.  Horatio epitomizes a faithful friend and throughout the entire play, he only questions Hamlet’s actions once.             

                Hamlet’s action, though, should not serve as an inspiration to boys and men, especially in the way he treats Ophelia.  Rather, Horatio’s character should serve as a foil to Hamlet’s character in such a way that Horatio virtues should strike the chords of a guy’s heart.  Throughout the play, Hamlet’s whimsical behavior conjures stern consequences.  Hamlet had to stab Polonius right then and there.  Hamlet had to board the pirate ship and prepare a death sentence for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  Hamlet had to jump into the grave of Ophelia.  Horatio is more of a logical thinker, which helps balances his actions. 

                Therefore, Horatio’s status is more of an observer throughout the play and does not partake in much of the action.  Though he does not meddle in the affairs, he does not flee from them.  While Hamlet is much of a pain to be friends with, with all of his anger, depression, and craziness, Horatio still loves him.  The only time Horatio questions Hamlet is when Hamlet provides for the death of Rosencrantz of Guildenstern.  But what would Horatio have done if his father was murdered and then his mother married the murderer.  Moreover, what would he have done if his father visited him as a ghost and told him to avenge the murderer even while the murderer plans to kill him, too, and turns all of his friends into spies?  Horatio’s actions may have not been far from Hamlet’s actions if the same events were to befall upon Horatio.  In the end, though, Hamlet finally demonstrates his love for Horatio, too, when he asks Horatio to truthfully record the events of his life after his death.                   

Hamlet & Horatio

     Does Horatio serve a purpose in Hamlet? In the area of Hamlet's life, anyway? Every character serves a purpose in a story; whether it is acting as the protagonist, antagonist or a foil. So, what can Horatio characterized as?

     In the story, Hamlet acts as a maniac, both literally and as an excuse for his irresponsible actions. Hamlet does not have a well balanced behavior. Or any behavior that is. He says what is on his mind without a filter, regretting nothing, and acts upon those words. Hamlet practically needs a babysitter. Instead, he has Horatio, who can be portrayed as his accountability partner.

     Horatio is calm, cool and collected. He stays out of trouble and, unlike Hamlet, is responsible for what he says and does. Like any accountability partner would, Horatio is always there for Hamlet no matter the case. Thus, Horatio possesses stability in this rough time in Hamlet's life. For instance, Horatio does not run in fear of the drama that arises.

     While Hamlet is mischievous, depressed, confused and irresponsible, Horatio is the man who helps him through this rough patch. Horatio provides a sense of peace in Hamlet's life even when everything else is chaotic; Horatio is a secure foundation of hope for Hamlet. Horatio feels a strong brotherly bond, while Hamlet is completely oblivious to the fact.  

     Horatio serves a major yet subtle purpose in Hamlet. He acts as a foil to Hamlet himself. Without Horatio, Hamlet would completely lose it altogether. Overall, Horatio makes Hamlet look better than he actually is, by using his strong attributes to counteract Hamlet's weak ones.
    

Sam and Hamlet, Horatio and Frodo

             What purpose does Hamlet and Horatio’s relationship have in Hamlet? Hamlet is dark and creepy and has a hard time handling the weight of his responsibilities. He even pretends to and slightly gives into being crazy. He never thinks of his friendship to Horatio as a priority or even as a lasting bond. The only priority Hamlet has is revenge.

              Horatio is the perfect friend. He is always looking out for Hamlet and worried for him. He is never sidetracked from their friendship by Hamlets craziness, and always has his back. Horatio, in the end, is even willing to die with Hamlet. When he has done nothing wrong, Horatio would drink the poison instead of living without his best friend.

                Hamlet and Horatio are very similar to the characters Sam and Frodo from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. In The Lord of the Rings, Sam saves Frodo’s life many times and continues to be a  friend that Frodo can depend on.  Frodo, like Hamlet, has a huge responsibility and with Sam, or Horatio, he can see that he isn’t alone. Horatio is Hamlets firm ground and stability, like Sam is for Frodo.

                The purpose for Hamlet and Horatio’s relationship is to show more of Hamlet’s character and to give Hamlet someone to hold on to. Hamlet is very weak and Horatio brings the confidence into his life. Without Horatio, Hamlet wouldn’t have made it very far. By making Horatio so perfect, Shakespeare is also bringing Hamlet’s imperfect character into the light. Hamlet’s selfishness and craziness is more defined because of the other extreme of a true friend.





by Liam Searcy

Homework for this week

- read and do all the work in Chapters 12 and 13 but STOP at pg. 168.

- Essay "in class" format- 45 minutes
post as blog and comment

prompt
compare and contrast the characters of Hamlet and Horatio. What purpose does their relationship serve in this story?

Hamlet vs. Gertrude

     Hamlet and Gertrude did not have the typical Mother -Son relationship we all like to think of. You know the one where the son is so close to his mother, he will do anything for her, and loves her no matter what.  Almost like a husband.

 Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark, is the antithesis of her son Hamlet. This is strange to think. They are blood, and yet they are so different from one another. Gertrude is selfish and like a child she longs to be delighted. After her husband, King Hamlet dies she never mourns. Instead a month after King Hamlet’s death she marries his brother, Claudius to keep her royalty as queen and forgets about her dead husband.

 Hamlet on the other hand is devastated. He tries to run to his mother for comfort, but she basically tells him that he is just being a big baby and need to get over it. He is disgusted by his mother. Not only because it is his uncle that she marries, but also because he believes that Uncle Claudius is the cause of his father’s death. Hamlet believes that Claudius murdered the King just so that he could take his seat on the throne and rule Denmark.

Though Prince Hamlet and his mother Gertrude are total opposites, they both end up dying.

Hamlet vs Gertrude

The story of Hamlet by William Shakespeare is filled with many different characters, many of which are quite different from one another. One of the greatest contrasts is between Hamlet and his Mother, Gertrude, which is somewhat surprising simple because one might expect two people from the same family to be very similar. This is not the case in this tale however. Throughout the entire story Hamlet stays loyal to his dead father while his mother, who had appeared to be the king’s faithful wife, changed sides from her husband soon after he died by marring the new king who was almost the polar opposite of her original husband. 

There were many clear differences between the two kin that became apparent from early on in the story. One of the greatest differences is the hesitation the prince shows after he is confronted by his father’s ghost and his mother hasty action like when she married the new king only a month after her husband was killed. Hamlet proved to be extremely cautious throughout the story and his mother the very opposite by making impulsive decisions. Also, Gertrude demonstrates a large amount of dependence on other people where as young Hamlet seems to be very independent. In the story, Hamlet gets spied on and tricked many times which teaches him to not tell many people about his problems and not trust anyone. His mother on the other hand, seems to be very needy and reliant on other people such as Claudius. 

The key differences between Hamlet and his mother add a greater deal of depth that if not added to the story would make it much less stirring to the audience. The important contrasts bring out a greater and more noticeable difference between these two very central characters in the epic story of Hamlet. 

Hamlet vs Gertrude

In comparing Hamlet and Gertrude they both have similarities. Hamlet and Gertrude both have to deal with the death of the king being Hamlet's father and Gertrude's husband. Both seem to be differently pretending of this death, Gertrude pretends that this is just the natural course of events in life. Hamlet pretends to be insane to the purpose of divulging his fathers killer.

Hamlet makes a big show that he is mad and annoys his uncle greatly.

to be continued

Shakespeare is my poison blade.

     Hamlet's relationship with his mother is the epitome of Mommy issues. When Hamlets dad died, the reader sees the personality differences in hamlet and his mother. In hamlets case, originally, before he found out his father was murdered he wanted to mourn. His mother, on the other hand, wanted to immediately remarry and basically not even acknowledge her husbands death and leave it behind her. While hamlet was grieving, his mother even attempted to tell him that he should not even worry about it. Gertrude even attempted to cheer up hamlet by shipping in some mutual acquaintances from boarding school which of course ended badly.
     Hamlet, after finding out from his fathers ghost that his father was murdered, decided to take action and began plotting revenge. He began to act as if he was going insane and everyone believed him. He broke off his relations with Ophelia even though he was in love with her. As the play carries on it seems that Hamlet actually becomes insane. Hamlet tried to pull a guilt trip on claudius by making a play that is eerily similar to the murder of his father by his uncle. Shaken, claudius leaves the theater quickly, affirming hamlets beliefs about the death of his father. Hamlet then, in attempt to kill his uncle, accidentally kills Ophelia's father driving Ophelia to suicide. 
    In the end, Claudius and Laertes devised a plan to kill Hamlet. The king set up a fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes. Before the fight the king switched Laertes fencing stick with a sharpened one laced with poison. Hamlet actually won the fight and was offered a poison glass of wine by his uncle. he declined and continued to fight with Laertes. Then, against the kings wishes, Hamlets mom drank the poison wine. After the queen drank the wine, hamlet was stabbed with the poison blade and so was Laertes. Hamlet, finding out he was poisoned ran up to his uncle and forced him to drink down the rest of the wine. Then hamlets pleaded to his friend Horatio for him to stay alive to tell his story.

Dorian Hamlet or Hamlet Gray...

There are many contrasts to the tragic tales of both Dorian Gray and Hamlet.
Whereas Vanity was Dorian Gray's demise, self lust was the last thing on Hamlets mind,
 often having lengthy talks/soliloquy's focusing on his own self consciousness and willingness to die. Furthermore, throughout Dorian Gray, Dorian loses his way in more ways than one; murder,
 negative influence and detrimental vanity all drag him down until he no longer recognizes his own soul. Throughout Hamlet, his misguided actions lead him to a better, more complex understanding of himself.
The nobility of the two men is also under observation. Hamlet dies a noble death, full of repentance, forgiveness and making amends with Laertes while Dorian Gray commits suicide by covering up the
filth that has built up on his soul; a death void of honor, repentance and humility. Dorian Gray and
Hamlet both have love interests that seem educationally bleak. Sybl Vane, a lowly, idiotic actress
 and woman of interest to Dorian and Ophelia, an equally idiotic woman of interest to Hamlet
both die tragically after the detonation of the ties and relationships to their men.  
Both commit suicide and go slightly mad after the relationships break off and both apparently
 have nothing else to live for but their significant others. While having similar love interests,
Dorian Gray and Hamlet differ drastically in the presence of a conscience. Hamlet uses his follies
 to direct him upward into realization and remorse while Gray is steadfast in his arrogance and
slams into his own problems when meeting his untimely death. Concluding, Dorian Gray and
Hamlet are alike in their poor taste in women and the fact that they are both murderers but
unalike in the fact that Hamlet has a conscience and Dorian Gray does not.

Plus, Hamlet seems way hotter than Dorian Gray. I mean, seriously, Dorian Just sounds like a woman with a stronger jawline. Hamlet can sword fight and kill people and he sounds hairy. Ergo babe.

The Differences Between a Swine and a Scumbag

The Picture of Dorian Grey and Hamlet are alike in many ways. Some characters from Hamlet seem to be copied in the story of Dorian Grey. Sybil  Vane is very similar to Ophelia. Both are girls who are loved but have that love Taken away from them. Because of this they commit suicide. Hamlet did love Ophelia and when he said he didn’t, "You should not have believed me…I loved you not." it was to protect her. In the end he shouts to her brother of  how much he did love her over her grave. The deaths of Ophelia and her father ripped at Hamlet's soul and made him feel guilty. In sibyl’s case, Dorian loved her acting then threw her away and was too shallow to even feel sorry about it. Instead he blotted it from his memory.

                Laertes character compares to James Vane. Both have their sisters taken away from them by some man and both die. Hamlet feels guilty about Laertes death and forgives him before he dies. When James Vane dies, Dorian Grey is much relieved.

 The Ghost plays a similar role Lord Henry. Both Hamlet and Dorian Grey were so open to being controlled by ideas of revenge or vanity that one character ,like the Ghost and Lord Henry,  is able to sway them easily .Hamlet is put in  such a huge position of responsibility to revenge his father that he choses to kill to make it right.  Dorian Grey is so willing to listen and take ideas to heart that Henry had to only  say one thing to drive him away from the light. Both Hamlet and Dorian love the King and Lord Henry and it is easy for these elders to control the young men.

Dorian and Hamlet both want to live in a different reality. Dorian Grey uses his painting to escape old age and troubles of the flesh but, in the end, it kills him. Hamlet is angry at the world and sees everyone as betraying him, even his own mother. He thinks of suicide more than once. “To be or not be, that is the question...”  Hamlet instead pretends to be mad to escape the responsibility of the things he does and he starts to like it.  Then, he falls into his own pit of madness and lives in a different reality. In the end, his madness drives him to kill and be killed.

                Hamlet is a confused, scared, angry, guilty, and responsible tragic hero. Some saw his fatal flaw as his inability to act, but the real “flaw” is his moral standards. He tries to play by the rules by not killing Claudius while he was praying. By trying to play by the rules in a world full of deceit, more people are killed. By the postponing of the kings death, Hamlet is being a gentleman and he sees moral standards as more important than anything. Dorian is also guilty and confused but most of his life he had flushed his emotions down the drain, into his blacked soul. Dorian is not a tragic hero because of his inability to repent. In the end, some say that he repents when he stabs the picture, but he really stabs it because he can’t bear to look at himself. Dorian is Hamlet, but a Hamlet with no sympathy, forgiveness or love.

Hamlet >< Gertrude

     The sweet mother-son relationship is so stereotypical. We all know of it! Could be the "momma's boy" case; or, maybe the crazy-respectful-I will protect you like a husband should-situation. However, when comparing to Hamlet and his relationship with his mother, Gertrude, we see neither stereotypes.

      The result of one death negatively affected both Hamlet and Queen Gertrude's entire lifestyle. King Hamlet was reigning in Denmark for years and was happily married to Queen Gertrude. After the unexpected death of the King, their lives would then slowly unravel. The unraveling didn't occur  long after, however! A month following King Hamlet's passing, Gertrude married Claudius. Yea marriage! Wrong. Claudius was King Hamlet's brother. That's disturbing. Because of that wedding, Claudius then became king of Denmark, replacing King Hamlet's position. Position in government and, perhaps, position in Gertrude's heart. That was a fast recovery of loss, no?  The Queen's intentions, it seems, was to keep life "normal." However, her absurd actions stirred anger, confusion and resentment in Hamlet's heart.

     Who wouldn't be shaken up by: the death of a father, the quick replacement of his uncle by marriage to his mother and then the appearance of a ghost? I would go mad. Wait a second, ghost? Yes, the ghost was of the King, explaining to his son Hamlet that Claudius was responsible for his death. Claudius murdered him; all for the sake of the throne.

    Trying to cope with the flux of dreadful discoveries, Hamlet seems to go psycho. It appears to be logical, right? I mean, after all Hamlet has been through a lot at this point? I have yet to answer that question myself. Nonetheless, Hamlet bottles up all of his feelings, attempting to keep them to himself. This doesn't last long though. Hamlet finds himself in the room of his mother, spilling all of the news that has so negatively affected himself. He tells of all the wickedness relating to Claudius. Gertrude cannot believe her own ears. She longs to wish she had never heard what Hamlet exclaims.

     Hamlet; not afraid of how he feels, portrays that and suffers. Gertrude; lover of normalcy and longs for things to remain how they were. Two polar opposite characters in how they think, act and handle the situation altogether. Although Hamlet and Gertrude lack sameness, they seem to share one thing in common: they both lose in the end.

    
    

Hamlet vs. Momma

     Queen Gertrude and Hamlet each responded to King Hamlet's death in very different ways. The queen tried to ignore her husband's death by trying to replace him. Only one month after the king's death, Queen Gertrude chose to marry her late husband's brother, Claudius, who took the position as King of Denmark. Despite her attempt to keep the balance of things in this way, this action only fueled the anger in her son Hamlet. Unlike his mother, he was deeply bothered by the loss of his father. While she had simply forgotten him, he just couldn't let go. Hamlet could not understand why she had acted this way as he describes the strong love she once had felt for her husband. But now that was gone. This show of weakness infuriated him. In addition to this, Hamlet was visited by the ghost of his father who tells him that his brother had murdered him. After learning that his father was murdered by his own brother, the very same man his mother had married, the hatred for Claudius increases and a strong desire for revenge grows in him. The burden becomes too much for Hamlet to carry, but he tries to suppress his emotions by telling himself, "Let me not think on't"(11). Later in the story when Queen Gertrude calls him to her room to speak with him, he decides that he can't hold in how he feels any longer. He tells her that she married a wicked man and called her senseless and blind. Hurt by this she begs him to stop and tries to refuse to believe any of it to be true. Although Hamlet was a very cunning character, he let the tragedies in his life destroy him. Despite the fact that Queen Gertrude and Hamlet each had their own ways of handling their problems, in the end they both fell.

Hamlet vs. Queen Gertrude

     A tragedy affects everyone in some way. People have different reactions and problems they have to work through. Hamlet and Queen Gertrude face the death of King Hamlet. A good father, a loving husband and a great king was lost when he fell to the hands of his brother Claudius. Although Hamlet and Gertrude suffer the same tragedy, their handling of the situation is anything but the similar.
     After King Hamlet's death, Gertrude spent the rest of her life deceiving herself. She married his brother, Claudius, perhaps believing that she could live life close to the way it was before. She may have thought that Claudius would remind her of King Hamlet or the marriage may have been out of convenience. Either way, she tried her best to move on. She even urged Hamlet to accept his father's death as something normal and insignificant. The queen dealt with arising problems with ignorance. For example, when Polonius died, his daughter, Ophelia, went insane. Gertrude refused to talk to her until Horatio and a gentleman told her of Ophelia's condition.
     The queen's traits consist of care and strong will. An instance of her care is found before she died. She warned Hamlet of the poisonous drink. Her last words were, "No, no the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink! I am poisoned" (99). She also protected King Claudius. When Polonius died, his son, Laertes, asked the king as to where his father's body was. Claudius, replying "Dead" (75), was followed by Gertrude saying "But not by him" (75). Her strong will was proved when she insistently said that she was going to drink the wine, not knowing at the time that it was poisoned. Her will is further evident in the suppressing of her emotions and trying to move on with life after her husband's death.
     Hamlet, on the other hand, grieved over the loss of his father. After seeing his father's ghost and with plenty of hesitation, he took action and fulfilled his father's wish of revenge. He resorted to acting crazy to get by with things and questioned life itself. He asked "Who would fardels bear, to grunt and sweat under a weary life but that the dread of something after death..." (45).
     His characteristics are composed of cleverness, craft, and determination. He also had some major anger issues. He was mad at his mother for marrying his uncle Claudius, he was absolutely livid at his uncle for killing his father, and he was very upset with his situation. He was very skilled at lacing sentences with sarcasm and wit. He would insult somebody and they wouldn't even know it.
     If Hamlet and Gertrude were to deal with their problems together, they might have kept each other in check and not let things get out of hand. It is a shame that they didn't feel comfortable enough to trust the other to what they were going through. This lack of trust resulted in a down ward spiral of their lives.

Homework this week

- Finish reading and annotating hamlet
- write an essay (post it on the blog) comparing/contrasting EITHER
Hamlet Vs. Gertrude
Hamlet Vs. Dorian Gray

Be ready for five minute Hamlets in class this week!:) Bring Nerf swords if you have them. 

Hamlet

To be, or not to be: that is the question:  Hamlet is questioning suicide.
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer   He wonders if it is nobler to live through misery
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and all of the misfortunes life throws at you
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, or to take arms and kill yourself thus ending all of your troubles.
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; In essence, to oppose would be to end them.  So what shall it be?  Death or life? 
No more; and by a sleep to say we end  No more misery if I were to take a deep sleep/death
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks  All of those moments of heart-ache
That flesh is heir to, ’tis a consummation that we are destined to bear
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep; can end if we die.
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub; But if we were to take our life and bring death/sleep upon oneself what will our everlasting dream be?
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come  What dreams will come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,  after we have wastefully killed oneself.
Must give us pause: there’s the respect  It is this very reason
That makes calamity of so long life;  that people live so long.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, For why would someone bear the pains of life
The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, such as an oppressor's wrong or contemptuous language,
The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay, or the pangs of love and law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns or insolence,
That patient merit of the unworthy takes, or the failings of undertakings,
When he himself might his quietus make  when one can end their life
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear, with a large blunt needle?
To grunt and sweat under a weary life, It is because, even after so much grunt and sweat in life,
But that the dread of something after death, the dread of something after life keeps us living.
The undiscover’d country from whose bourn  The unknown of such a place as death
No traveller returns, puzzles the will   where no one ever returns and where death is such a mystery to us
And makes us rather bear those ills we have that we would rather bear life's pain
Than fly to others that we know not of?  than to quickly turn to the unknown pain's that wait for us after death.
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;  It is this conscience that makes us all cowards and prevents oneself from taking our life.
And thus the native hue of resolution  So now I have turned pale
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,  over this new theory of thought.
And enterprises of great pith and moment  Now all great undertakings of mine
With this regard their currents turn awry, turn to one side.
And lose the name of action.–Soft you now!   And all of my motivation to take action is lost.
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons  Ophelia! 
Be all my sins remember’d.  Pray for me!