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!  

To be, or not to be; that is the question

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover’d country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.–Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember’d.


I think this was vary instrumental in the English and American culture . This passage from Hamlet questions of whether life is worth the pain of living. This is a somewhat difficult question for Hamlet who goes through the resent murder of his father, and of his girlfriend Ophelia. I thought it was funny that he compared her to a Nymph and I looked it up and found that they were always seen as beautiful maidens in Greek mythology. This is a passage that is most likely vary prominent to youth as growing up they can go through problems which are, to them are to difficult do endure. I thought Hamlet is a vary good read. The grammar and story are compelling and it is a challenge to those who are unfamiliar with Shakespeare.  

To be? Or. Not to be?

To be, or not to be: that is the question:            - Whether to live or to die: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer           - Is it better to suffer mentally
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,    - The stumbling blocks of destiny, 
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,         - Or attack the problems,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;    - And end them by opposition? To die; to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end            - No more sleeping; and yet by sleep we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks  - all the heart ache and pain
That flesh is heir to, ’tis a consummation           -  That people are doomed to face.
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep;              - It is something I desire: to die and sleep...
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;  - To die: possibly see the afterlife: there's the problem 
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come  - For in death's sleep what might happen
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,        - When we no longer belong to our mortal bodies,
Must give us pause: there’s the respect            - Must make us stop and think: there's the thing
That makes calamity of so long life;                  - That makes our troubles last so long
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,  - For who would withstand the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,  - The wrongs of the oppressor, the proud mans insults,
The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay,        - The pains of unreturned love, the delay of justice,
The insolence of office and the spurns              - The scorn of officials and the rejection
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,           - That happens to those who don't deserve it,
When he himself might his quietus make          - When he himself might end it all
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,     - With a mere knife? Who would bear the burden,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,             - The blood, sweat, and tears of a labored life,
But that the dread of something after death,     - But the fear and dread of life after death,
The undiscover’d country from whose bourn    - The unknown land from which 
No traveller returns, puzzles the will                  - No one returns, confuses the mind
And makes us rather bear those ills we have    - And makes us prefer to bear the burdens of life
Than fly to others that we know not of?            - Rather than face the unknown troubles of death.
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;  - Thus our thinking does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution                 - And so the natural color of courage
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,     - Is sickened by the paleness of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment        - And actions of great importance 
With this regard their currents turn awry,        - With this thinking in mind, are forgotten,
And lose the name of action.–Soft you now!   - And lose their reputation. Quiet!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons        - The beautiful Ophelia! Fair lady, remember my sins 
Be all my sins remember’d.                              in your prayers.

Soliloquy

To be, or not to be--that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep--

No more--and by a sleep to say we end

The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep--

To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub,

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause. There's the respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely

The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,

The insolence of office, and the spurns

That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,

When he himself might his quietus make

With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,

To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

But that the dread of something after death,

The undiscovered country, from whose bourn

No traveller returns, puzzles the will,

And makes us rather bear those ills we have

Than fly to others that we know not of?

Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,

And thus the native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

And enterprise of great pitch and moment

With this regard their currents turn awry

And lose the name of action. -- Soft you now,

The fair Ophelia! -- Nymph, in thy orisons

Be all my sins remembered.

Should i continue to exist or not

would i think more highly of myself if i just suffer

all the trials of bad luck

or if i go against the tide(meaning life)

and just end my life

it would stop all the heart ache

and all the bad surprises life brings

the difference between sleeping and dying is dreams

when you die you don't dream

that's what makes life so long

so why suffer if you can die and ease the pain

some people would rather deal with life than the uncertainty of where they will go after 

when we retire from life we will be worthless

why worry about the burdens in life

when there is uncertainty about the after life

the after life is an unknown place from which 

travelers never return

maybe it is better to keep living rather than dying

and going to some unknown place

the thought of the great endeavors slur the "native hue of resolution"

it makes you sick just trying to imagine it

at some point the troubles of life will go away though

so Ophelia please remember me in your prayers