Holla Hamlet Generative Questions

1. When Hamlet asks Horatio "is't not perfect conscience to quit him with this arm? And is't not to be damned To let this canker of our nature come In further evil?" (5.2.75-80) why doesn't Horatio give Hamlet a straight answer?



2. Why does Horatio compare Osric's words to gold? (5.2.143-4) What does this say about Osric's rhetoric?



3. Gertrude drinks the poison as she toasts Hamlet -- "The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet" (5.2. 315). What are the implications of this statement?



4. Who is responsible for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's death?

question about Laramie

Do you think Matthew Shepard accomplished more through his death than he could have through his life?

Green Eggs and Hamlet - Generative Questions

For 5.1 (four questions):

1. Why does the gravedigger sing (5.1.64-69, 5.1.72-77)? Is his reason the similar to or different from the reason Ophelia sings in Act 4?
2. What is Shakespeare's reason for putting the play on the word "lie" between Hamlet and the gravedigger 5.1.123-132)? Does it reveal anything to the reader or just confuse it further?
   
3. When Hamlet admits to loving Ophelia (5.1.285) Claudius calls Hamlet "mad", Why?
4. When Hamlet talks about how he loved Ophelia so much he would jump in the grave with her Gertrude says "this is mere madness" (5.5.302). Why is Gertrue so quick to deem Hamlet's behavior "mere madness"? Is she listening to Hamlet's previous advice to her, or is she just agreeing with Claudus?
   

Holla, Hamlet, SAY WHAT?

Generative questions for Act 5, Scene 1

What is Shakespeare attempting to convey to his readers about the purpose of life with the construction of such a rueful scene between Hamlet and Yorick's skull? If life ultimately results in the reduction of humans to "chapless" (5.1.91) and skulls - unmarked by previous feats and distinctions - what is the point of living a productive or successful life? Is Shakespeare in advocation of a life marked by legacy, or does he maintain the cynical notion that everything is meaningless? What does that say about his role as a playwright, or one who thrives on the immortality of his words?

In response to Hamlet's question concerning how the gravedigger is able to "sing in grave-making," Horatio suggests that "Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness" (5.1.67-72).
What does Shakespeare convey about his view on life through the detached nature of the gravediggers, and the way in which they are able to sing despite their morbid setting and task?
Are there any other seemingly odd events/qualities that have appeared throughout the play in which the idea of "habit" overrides their eccentricity?

Is Gertrude's sorrow toward Ophelia's tragic death genuine?

Green Eggs and Hamlet - Generative Questions

4.5-5.1 Reading (four questions) ---

• In 4.5 Laertes comes back and questions Claudius "Where is my father", when the king replied "Dead", Gertrude immediately says "But not by him".
  
  
• Why is Gertrude is such a rush to defend Claudius' innocence?
  
  
• In 4.7 Claudius is very excited at the prosepct of helping Laertes kill Hamlet.
  
  
• Is Claudius really helping Laertes to make Laertes feel better, or for his own benefit? (4.7.145-155)
  
  
• In 4.7 Laertes says he wants to "cut [Hamlet's] throat i' th' church" to which Claudius replies "revenge should have no bounds" (4.7. 145-147). In 3.3 Hamlet draws his sword and is about to kill Claudius, but cannot while he is praying.
  
  
  • Does Claudius recognize/think that he could jeopardize his or Laertes passage into heaven? Is he helping Laertes so that he doesn't have to suffer the consequences of his actions himself? - Is he using Laertes as a tool?
    
    
• In 5.1 Hamlet asks the gravedigger: "How long hast though been a gravemaker?" and the digger replies "I came to 't that day our last King Hamlet overcame Fortinbras". Hamlet follows up with, "How long is that since", to which the digger replies "It was that very day that young Hamlet was born".
  
  
  • Are these dates merely a strange coincidence? If not, how can the gravedigger's perspective help us further understand the events of the play? (5.1.145-153)

Holla, Hamlet, Say What?! Generative Questions

These are for the 3.4-4.4 reading:

Is Hamlet too harsh on his mother in Act 3 Sc. 4?

Does Gertrude love Hamlet? Does Hamlet love Gertrude?

What are Gertrude's motives when she tells Claudius of Hamlet's "madness"? (Whose side is she on?)

How does Claudius's plan to have Hamlet killed compare to Hamlet's hesitation to kill Claudius earlier in the play?

Holla Hamlet!...Say what? - Generative Questions

Why does the ghost have compassion for Gertrude?

Why does Hamlet call Gertrude a murderer?

Why can others see the ghost, but Gertrude can't?

Green Eggs & Hamlet Generative Questions!

Green Eggs And Hamlet

How did Claudius become king when it seems that Hamlet should be the heir?

And what about Fortinbras and his uncle being king? Why uncles and not sons?

Why would Gertrude marry Claudius? What does she have to gain?

Why does Hamlet jump to the conclusion that his father was murdered when he hears that his father’s ghost is back?

Polonius says, “Best safety lies in fear” (1.3.47). Is this true?

The ghost tells Hamlet, “Taint not thy mind.” Does he follow that advice?

Is the ghost truly Hamlet’s father?

Is indirectness the best way to find out information? Why don’t they just ask Hamlet? (2.1.74)

Why do Claudius and Gertrude ask R&G to spy on Hamlet instead of asking Horatio?

What is the point of talking about the troupe of child actors?

Do you think Fortinbras has actually given up?

What does the king’s use of “your son” (2.2.58) receal about their relationship?

Is Hamlet actually mad? Or is he just finally speaking his mind?

Why is Hamlet is so inspired by Pyrrus’ story? Is he a good example to follow?

Why does Hamlet act more normal with his friends?

Why doesn’t the ghost just kill Claudius himself?

Will Claudius’ plan to use R&G really work? Where do their loyalties lie?

Despite what Ophelia says, does she love Hamlet? Should we feel sorry for her?

Why is the prologue of the play-within-the-play silent?

Is the king genuine when he says “Sweet Gertrude”?

Is Hamlet really “out of love” with Ophelia? If not, why is he pretending?

Does Claudius feel guilty about what he did?

What parallels can we draw between Gertrude and Hamlet?

What purpose does it serve to have the player play the nephew?

Does Gertrude trust Hamlet? Does she love him?

Does Claudius love Gertrude?

How far will Claudius go to get rid of Hamlet?

If action before thought is manly, should Hamlet be manly?

How do Hamlet and Laertes compare as good sons?

Is the whole –I won’t kill Claudius because he’ll go to heaven- an excuse or good logic?

Why doesn’t he wonder why Claudius is praying?

If Claudius feels guilty, why does he seem to continue in the same vein by banishing Hamlet?

Why does Gertrude let Polonius spy on her?

In “to be or not to be”, does Hamlet know that he is being watched?

What are the differences and similarities between Claudius and Hamlet?

Are R&G loyal to Claudius or to Denmark?

Does Hamlet feel bad about plotting Claudius’ death?

What’s with Polonius’ obsession with spying?

When R&G say, “we will ourselves provide” how is it similar to Polonius betting his life that Hamlet is in love with Ophelia?

Can “one be pardoned and retain the offense”?

What will happen if Hamlet starts acting before he thinks?

How can Hamlet banter with Ophelia after the whole “get thee to a nunnery” bit?

Was the kingship worth it for Claudius?

Why would Hamlet Sr. damn his son like this?

Is Hamlet not killing himself cowardly? Why or why not? And visa versa?

Where does Hamlet’s fear of the future come from?

47. Why does loyalty seem to be rewarded with death or damnation?

Laramie Project

I came across this cartoon while looking for media for the set of the LARAMIE PROJECT. It certainly makes a point.

Chicken Philosophy

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD???

Plato: For the greater good.
Aristotle: To fulfill its nature on the other side.
Karl Marx: It was a historical inevitability.
Machiavelli: So that its subjects will view it with admiration, as a
chicken which has the daring and courage to boldly cross the road,
but also with fear, for whom among them has the strength to contend
with such a paragon of avian virtue? In such a manner is the princely
chicken's dominion maintained.
Hippocrates: Because of an excess of light pink gooey stuff in its
pancreas.
Jacques Derrida: Any number of contending discourses may be discovered
within the act of the chicken crossing the road, and each
interpretation is equally valid as the authorial intent can never be
discerned, because structuralism is DEAD, DAMMIT, DEAD!
Thomas de Torquemada: Give me ten minutes with the chicken and I'll
find out.
Timothy Leary: Because that's the only kind of trip the Establishment
would let it take.
Douglas Adams: Forty-two.
Nietzsche: Because if you gaze too long across the Road, the Road
gazes also across you.
Oliver North: National Security was at stake.
B.F. Skinner: Because the external influences which had pervaded its
sensorium from birth had caused it to develop in such a fashion that
it would tend to cross roads, even while believing these actions to be
of its own free will.
Carl Jung: The confluence of events in the cultural gestalt
necessitated that individual chickens cross roads at this historical
juncture, and therefore synchronicitously brought such occurrences
into being.
Jean-Paul Sartre: In order to act in good faith and be true to
itself, the chicken found it necessary to cross the road.
Ludwig Wittgenstein: The possibility of "crossing" was encoded into
the objects "chicken" and "road", and circumstances came into being
which
caused the actualization of this potential occurrence.
Albert Einstein: Whether the chicken crossed the road or the road
crossed the chicken depends upon your frame of reference.
Aristotle: To actualize its potential.
Buddha: If you ask this question, you deny your own chicken-nature.
Howard Cosell: It may very well have been one of the most astonishing
events to grace the annals of history. An historic, unprecedented
avian biped with the temerity to attempt such an herculean achievement
formerly relegated to homo sapien pedestrians is truly a remarkable
occurence.
Salvador Dali: The Fish.
Darwin: It was the logical next step after coming down from the
trees.
Emily Dickinson: Because it could not stop for death.
Epicurus: For fun.
Ralph Waldo Emerson: It didn't cross the road; it transcended it.
Johann Friedrich von Goethe: The eternal hen-principle made it do it.
Ernest Hemingway: To die. In the rain.
Werner Heisenberg: We are not sure which side of the road the chicken
was on, but it was moving very fast.
David Hume: Out of custom and habit.
Saddam Hussein: This was an unprovoked act of rebellion and we were
quite justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.
Jack Nicholson: 'Cause it (censored) wanted to. That's the
(censored) reason.
Pyrrho the Skeptic: What road?
Ronald Reagan: Well,...................
John Sununu: The Air Force was only too happy to provide the
transportation, so quite understandably the chicken availed himself
of the opportunity.
The Sphinx: You tell me.
Henry David Thoreau: To live deliberately ... and suck all the marrow
out of life.
Mark Twain: The news of its crossing has been greatly exaggerated.
Mishima: For the beauty of it. The chicken's extension of its
sinuous legs sent shivers of a dark despair into the souls not only of
the silently watching hens but also the roosters, who felt a sudden
sexual desire for their exquisite comrade. The dark courage of the
chicken was as beautiful as drops of dew upon jade at midnight, struck
by a partial moon, its light filtered through clouds. One of the
deeply aroused roosters could stand the intensity of the moment no
more and bit off the head of the beautiful, courageous chicken-hero,
whose wine blood was deliciously drunken by the road, and he died.
Johnny Cochran: The chicken didn't cross the road. Some
chicken-hating, genocidal, lying public official moved the road right
under the chicken's feet while he was practicing his golf swing and
thinking about his family.
Camus: The chicken's mother had just died. But this did not really
upset him, as any number of witnesses can attest. In fact, he
crossed just because the sun got in his eyes.
John Sununu (again): I would argue that the chicken never crossed the
road at all. That it is a story concocted by the Clinton
Administration to distract attention from their failed agriculture
policy. Where is the evidence that the chicken crossed the road?
Where, Michael?
Michael Kinsley: Oh, John, come on! Everybody knows the chicken
crossed the road. What evidence do you need? It's obvious that the
chicken crossed the road. Your whole argument is just a smoke and
mirror tactic to distract us from the fact that most chickens polled
now back the Democratic Party. You ought to be ashamed of yourself,
John.
Siskel: I don't know why it crossed the road, but I loved it. Thumbs
up!
Ebert: I disagree. The whole thing left the audience wondering; the
chicken's crossing the road was never clearly explained and the
chicken didn't emote very well. It couldn't even speak English!
Thumbs down.
Michael Kinsley: But you both agree it did cross the road, right?
See, John. I'm right as usual.
-----------------

Thanks to a fwd from fc@rust.net (Karen Reedstrom)
http://laughlines.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/10/why-did-the-chicken-cross-the-road/

1.2 41-66

Why does Claudius allow Laertes to return to France? How does Laertes’ “show of duty” (line 55) affect Claudius’ decision?

In general everyone seemed to have the opinion that Laertes feels obligated to attend Claudius’ wedding because he wants to stay in the good favor with King. However, there was some discrepancy over why Claudius chooses to allow Laertes to return to France. Some believe that Claudius allows Laertes to return because he shows his loyalty to him by coming to the wedding and unlike, Hamlet, he has no need for him to stay in Denmark. Others, believed that Claudius lets Laertes leave because as a politician he wants to keep his people happy and gain their allegiance early on in his rule.
Personally, I agree with both stances. At this early stage in his career as king, Claudius wants to prove agreeable and gain the favor of his people. By using Laertes as an example of what can happen to those who show their duty to the king, he entreats all of his subjects to show their loyalty to him. In addition, Claudius has no real use for Laertes in Denmark. Hamlet, on the other hand, must stay in Denmark because the King needs to keep and eye on him. Because of Hamlet's loyalty to the late King, Claudius chooses to keep him near by under his watchful eye.

Blair Smith

1.2 90-121
Why would a father (King Claudius) ask his son (Hamlet) to forget his grief calling him “unmanly”, but then ask him to remain uneducated in the location from which the memories he grieves are located.

The responses center mainly on King Claudius’s spiritless mockery and his political reasons for retaining Hamlet at the palace. Claudius derides Hamlet’s lengthy morning to suggest Hamlets instability as a ruler and as a person. Weakening the political competency of Hamlet also empowers King Claudius’s credibility and keeps Hamlet in a powerless state. Retaining his throne was Claudius chief reason for keeping Hamlet away from school. Claudius understands that Hamlet would benefit from the independence and possibly rise against him. By keeping Hamlet close Claudius projects a family image and is able to keep watch over the legitimacy of his title.

responding to responses: take 1

1.2.90-121


Question: Is the King sincere in his intent to relinquish the throne to Hamlet or to keep him next in line to the throne? Does he really love Hamlet?


Empathizing with Hamlet, my peers felt compassion and largely do not believe that Claudius loves Hamlet. An interesting point was brought up, that Hamlet shows leadership qualities by grieving during the length of time allotted for grieving yet Claudius criticizes Hamlet's display of emotion. In criticizing Hamlet Claudius reveals an inability to understand what Hamlet is going through.

Questions Raised About the Ghost

1.2 165-205
In line 191, Hamlet tells Horatio that he thinks that he sees his father in his mind’s eye, was the spirit of Hamlet Senior brought on by Hamlet’s own desire to see him? Will the ghost of Hamlet’s father speak to Hamlet even though he has refused to speak to the others?

What emerged from my questions was a consensus among the group that Hamlet Sr. has come back because he has something to say to Hamlet. However, there was little agreement whether or not the ghost would actually speak to Hamlet after it had been silent in the presence of Horatio and the other guards. One person argued that the ghost was silent because the men were disrespectful towards him, ordering him to speak and threatening him with violence. Others disagreed and we did not come to a firm conclusion. Rather, we raised more questions then answered them, which closely parallels the situation that Hamlet finds himself in after 2.1. Without solid textual evidence, all anyone can do is speculate about the mysterious ghost.

What surprised me is that everyone was so quick to assume that the ghost is, indeed, Hamlet’s father without considering any alternate possibilities. Is the ghost what it appears to be or is it something else? I am reminded of a quote from Macbeth, “to win us to our harm, /the instruments of darkness tell us truths” (1.3. 135-136), which I think brings up a good point. Perhaps the ghost is not who he says he is (in context of 1.5). The ghost might be an evil demon sent to deceive Hamlet and tempt him into murder. Or maybe the ghost does not have correct knowledge of his own death and he is himself deluded. The questions that emerged from this prompt suggest that we cannot make any solid judgment of the ghost because both his being and his motives are ambiguous. Keeping this in mind, I think it would be a good idea while reading "Hamlet" that we ask questions before trusting our own intuitions blindly.

--Ally

Sachiye Day

1.2. 265-281
Why does Hamlet tell Barnardo, Marcellus, and Horatio not to tell anyone about seeing the ghost of the late king?
My peers’ response to this question believe that Hamlet doesn’t want anyone to know about the ghost of the late king, because Hamlet doesn’t want Claudius to be aware of his father’s spirit. I agree with them. Also I think Hamlet’s immediate reaction to make sure the ghost of his father stays a secret reveals the perplexed situation in which the play takes place. There is a lot of distrust and ambiguity behind the motives of the King Claudius as he keeps quite about why there needs to be guards on watch and marries the Queen. Hamlet is simply being cautious as he is unsure if he is in danger. When first learning about the ghost of his father, he assumes it might be a bad sign, or as he exclaims, “All is not well” (1.2. 277). Hamlet’s request to Barnardo, Marcellus, and Horatio reveals the troubled times that Hamlet faces and evinces his prudent character.

Ella Kidron (1.3.104-145)

Question: Polonius tells Ophelia to be wary of Hamlet and his motives in flirting with her. How does he justify his cautionary words? From what we know about Hamlet, could his behavior be cause by more than just him being "young" (1.3.133)?

Initially I felt that Hamlet's contemplative nature seen in his first soliloquy was the cause of his unclear behavior towards Ophelia. However, after reading the peer responses, I also realized how lust could be one of the primary forces driving Hamlet's lack of commitment to Ophelia and that it was naïve to think of Hamlet as so thoughtful that he is beyond teenage-boy lust.

I also thought that it was interesting that Hamlet submits silently to King Claudius' wishes, yet his thoughts are so much deeper than the surface-level obedience he shows the king. This was reminiscent of when the Vet in Invisible Man advises the IM to "play the game" (168), but not believe in it. Hamlet shows strength that the IM lacked in that he is able to say yes to the King while internally questioning his motives.

from Megan Augustiny

I asked what Claudius' objective was in speaking to Hamlet about his father's death in such a way (1.2.90-121). There seemed to be a general agreement that Claudius was attacking Hamlet's manhood and intelligence in order to manipulate him into staying in Denmark. Claudius tries to make Hamlet feel childish and unnatural for grieving the death of his father. In doing so, he indirectly disputes Hamlet's ability to function and certainly to ascend the throne, thereby confirming that he, Claudius, is more fit for the position of king. Claudius reminds Hamlet that he's most "immediate to our throne" ( 1.2.113), further establishing that he must pull himself together and remain loyal and obedient to the current king. Claudius also seems upset by the notion that Hamlet should dwell on his father rather than focusing on him. In order to be a true successor to the king, Claudius insists upon becoming, not only the country's new patriarch, but Hamlet's as well.

--Megan Augustiny

From Alannika 1.2.41-66

Is the King's praise of Polonius and his kindness towards Laertes genuine? There was one main them (and several sub-themes) within the responses I recieved. One was that while Claudius' praise may or may not be genuine, he has an ulterior motive for which to praise and reward those loyal to him: because he is relatively new king, keeping his loyal followers happy and feeling acknowledged for their loyalty and usefulness. And from that theme were such specutations as to Claudius' manipulation tactics (and his wide-spread use of them so far), his real opinions about Polonius' loyalty, usefulness and ambition, and whether or not the King is ignoring Polonius as a possible problem in favor of a larger threat to his power (such as Hamlet). Although, at least by act 2 of Hamlet, we haven't seen a ton of Claudius, so far the general feeling is that he is power hungry and manipulative.

Alison Hearst

1.2 122-132

Why does King Claudius encourage Hamlet to stay in Denmark? Is Claudius's delight to Hamlet's decision to stay genuine?

There was a general consensus that Claudius wants Hamlet to remain in Denmark in order to keep his eye on him. Disagreements arose when debating the reasons for Claudius's desires to watch over Hamlet. Because Hamlet is still upset over his mother's marriage to his uncle, Claudius could be in fear of Hamlet attempting overcome Claudius in order to gain control of the kingdom. A different opinion is that Claudius wants to establish a family and by addressing Hamlet as his son, he has no selfish interests in mind and is only trying to be a father figure for Hamlet. Although the second explanation would be ideal, by marrying Hamlet's mother less than a month after his father died, Claudius does not seem to have Hamlet's best interests in mind.

from Taylor Daugherty

"In 1.2.265-281 I wondered how Hamlet could trust Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo with such an important secret as the appearance of his father’s ghost. It seems as though Hamlet has in fact assumed a kind of authority role over his friends, and their insistence to report back all information to him insures their loyalty to him. I also wondered why this must be kept a secret, because if Hamlet were really loyal to the current king, Claudius, then he would be obligated to report back all unusual happenings within his kingdom. This just reiterates the grief Hamlet still feels over his father’s death and his wish to keep the sighting secret shows that he is not afraid to undermine the current king because he does not value his authority. Hamlet is clever in that he appeases those around him on the outside, but on the inside he is scheming and planning his next move and he will not settle for this injustice."

--Taylor Daugherty

Hamlet!

For my passage, I had 1:2:67-89, where Hamlet talks about his sorrow, and the Queen questions him as to why he's feeling so blue. I wondered whether Hamlet's sorrow was caused by his father's death, as the king assumes. In response, there was some discussion over whether Hamlet is torn between his duty to his country and his duty to his father. Because there has been so much talk about questionable loyalty to the king, Hamlet's lack of duty to his country and loyalty to his dead father suggests that he suspects that there is some foul play afoot, and serves as evidence to us as readers that Claudius means no good.

from Amy

1. 2. 67-89

What is Shakespeare attemping to convey about Hamlet's character through his use of wit and humor in Hamlet's first spoken words?

I was struck by the myriad of constrasting responses I received from my peers regarding the way in which humor serves to illuminate aspects of Hamlet's character. It seems that a majority of those who responded expressed that humor conveys a sense of intelligence, and Hamlet's witty remarks demonstrate his ability to see beyond the pretensions of his current situation and develop his own, more profound understanding. Hamlet exhibits a painful self-awareness of the unnatural qualities of the incestuous relationship between his stepfather and mother, as salient when he says in an aside "A little more than kin and less than kind" (1. 2. 67). However, in contrast to the majority of my peers, one classmate suggested that Hamlet "turns to humor because of a lack of understanding" and argues that because he is confused by the world around him - which has been turned upside down - the only way he may make sense of it is by looking at it through the lens of humor. I agree that Hamlet's humor may serve as a means of escaping the grief of his father's death, as he may find relief in making light of a painful situation, but I do not feel that it reveals any lack of understanding. On the contrary, I believe it does reveal a sense of intelligence, as Hamlet's ability to see the absurdity of his situation demonstrates a sense of ironic detachment, which may potentially motivate him to seek change. Rather than wallow in self-pity, Hamlet proves to exhibit great maturity and view his situation in a different light. As suggested by anthropologist Elliott Oring, the awfulness of any disastrous situation is gradually remedied by time, and Hamlet's capacity to find light in his unfortunate situation in such a short period of time is a testament to his intellect and character.

Is Polonius Phonius? (get it)

1.3 60-87: The dialog in my passage is between Laertes and Polonius. In this seen Polonius gives advice to his son who is going on a journey. I posed the question “In light of Polonius’s wise advice to Laertes, in what way does Polonius function as a councilor to Claudius?” those who responded to my passage believed that Polonius probably has a lot on influence on Claudius and the way he presents himself politically. We the reader are weary of Claudius, but it is still uncertain if Claudius is inherently evil and conniving, or if some of his actions are dictated by out side pressure from Polonius. We will have to wait and see!

From Katie Mock

I had 1.2: 67-89. I wondered why it seemed Gertrude couldn't relate to Hamlet's depression at all. I personally expected people to suspect cheating before the late Hamlet was dead or something of that sort, but surprisingly everyone seemed to be on Gertrude's side. Although it's sort of unfeeling to tell Hamlet to "cast thy nighted color off" so easily, she may be trying to hide her own feelings. Someone said it's her way of dealing with being a queen vs. being a mother or wife. "Should she be a good mother or a good Queen? Can she be both?"
Think about it.

1.3.6-48

I questioned why Laertes said that the "best safety lies in fear" concerning Ophelia's possible relationship with Hamlet, when usually fear is paired with danger. The responses were interesting. Most of them were about how Laertes was utilizing fear to impose advice on Ophelia, however the one point of view that stood out was that Laertes was using fear to protect Polonius's position. If the relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet were to go south, Polonius's position and job might be affected.

From Murphy

1.2.67-89Question: What does our introduction to Hamlet tell us about his relationship with the other characters in the play thus far? What does it reveal about him?Although this is the first time we hear from Hamlet, we learn a lot about him in the first 22 lines of the play. We learn about his relationships with his father and other characters around him, and about his personality. For example, we see how he is still grieving for his father, showing that his relationship with him was strong. Also, these few lines reveal that Hamlet is trustworthy and nothing like his uncle/step father claudius. From getting all this information out of only 22 lines, we can guess that the rest of the play will be packed with as much information as in these lines, and every action and spoken word is important. (For example, the first thing we see from Hamlet is an aside, which shows his witty character.)

From Lizzy

"My original question was on the passage seen in act 1 scene 2 lines 90-121. I asked: Throughout the passage Claudius refers to the idea of "us", "our state", and so on. How is/how can Hamlet be apart of the state if he is in school at Wittenberg? Is he running away from his family/responsibilities? Why? Reading the responses was really an interesting process. They made me think further on the subject and generate more questions. I keep relating this tension in the family to the description of the ghost as ' a guilty thing' in act 1 scene 1. I feel that there has to be some family history, Hamlet Sr. did something, there is some secret and I want to know! "

1.2.133-163

Why does Hamlet compare his dead father to a sun god, and yet he states that his own self is the furthest thing from being Herculean? What does this humbleness reveal about Hamlet’s character and perception of self?

My peers’ responses to my questions enabled me to better understand Hamlet’s underlying sentiments regarding Claudius’s marriage to his mother. The responses highlighted that within Hamlet’s comparison of his father to a sun god and Claudius to a satyr, Hamlet reveals how deeply he is offended by his mother’s re-marriage. At first, I believed that by contrasting himself with Hercules, Hamlet was putting himself down, but my peers’ responses demonstrated that this is not so. Hamlet is simply further emphasizing the superiority of his father in comparison to the inferiority of his uncle. An interesting observation from the responses called attention to Hamlet’s admiration of his father who he believed to be “so excellent a king” (1.2.143). Hamlet’s filial piety reveals that he takes pride in being his father’s son and aspires to be like him. However, his father is dead for unknown reasons, and hopefully Hamlet’s aspiration will not cause him to die as well.

Megan Laughlin's Post

Why do you think Polonius is so set against Ophelia and Hamlet's relationship? Do you think Hamlet's affections are true?

Polonius asserts that Hamlet's affections are fleeting and false, calling them "blazes [that Ophelia] must not take for fire" (1.3.126-129). He does not consider that Hamlet could be serious and his love true, which is interesting because, whether or not Hamlet's love is real, one would think Polonius should want his daughter to marry up. Perhaps his advice serves as a warning to Ophelia that Hamlet's showers of oaths may not be genuine, but he provides no explanation while refusing to accept any potential for truth in Hamlet's love. Through it is possible that Polonius wishes merely to retain his daughter's innocence, he seems to hold Hamlet in low esteem for reasons he does not reveal. I believe Hamlet, though he may be affected by severe grief from his father's death, is sincere in his proclamations to Ophelia.

Megan Laughlin

1.2.165-205 (Alyssa!)

The question I originally asked was, "How does the tone of the conversation between Hamlet and Horatio change as the passage continues? How does their interaction show that Horatio is a loyal friend?"

In each response to my question, everyone agreed that Horatio proves himself to be a loyal friend in this passage, mostly because Horatio's tone adjusts as Hamlet's does. If Hamlet jokes, then Horatio also jokes, but if Hamlet is sad, then Horatio is also sad and serious. Throughout the passage, Horatio listens to Hamlet and takes on the role as his friend and confidant by changing his tone and mood to what Hamlet most needs at the time. The simple fact that Hamlet can joke with Horatio even during this time of unbearable sadness reveals the trust between them, but additionally, Hamlet expresses to Horatio the resentment that he has not expressed to anyone else so far, conveying that his friendship with Horatio is the only thing he can truly count on, at least for now.

Julia Maier's post

The following is Julia Maier's post:

"1.3 104-145

When Polonius demands that Ophelia end her relationship with Hamlet, is Polonius looking to protect himself or his daughter? While Polonius may have Ophelia’s best interest at heart, he treats her as though she is his subject, not his daughter. Polonius’ stern demeanor may come from love for his daughter. From Ophelia’s point of view, however, he is condescending. Often being told not to do something by a parent makes a son or daughter want to do exactly the opposite. It will be interesting to see if Ophelia follows her father’s commands, or if she continues her relationship with Hamlet. Similar father-daughter dynamics exist today contributing to the timelessness of Shakespeare’s work."

1:3 6-48...THIS IS KATIA'S BY THE WAY!

Why does Laertes advise Ophelia to not pursue a relationship with Hamlet?

Laertes is attempting to play the role of the protective older brother as he considers Ophelia’s virtuous reputation to be sacred. He is trying to advise her to do what is best for her emotional and physical wellbeing. He only has the best intentions as he himself, being a younger man, understands the mind and ulterior motives men can have when pursuing a woman, like sex. During Shakespearian times, chastity was considered sacred, as demonstrated in Laertes quote, “the chariest maid is prodigal enough if she unmask her beauty to the moon” (1.3 40-42). Laertes is trying to warn Ophelia that even a woman who is cautious with her heart, may make the mistake of believing that she is in love and can destroy her purity by having sex. Although Ophelia should take into account the advice of her more experienced, older brother, ultimately, the decision will be hers concerning whether or not she wishes to pursue a relationship with Hamlet.

1.5, 93-5

"Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge to prick and sting her."

In the ghost's speech in which he tells Hamlet explicitly how he died and who killed him, he charges Hamlet with the duty of avenging his death. Oddly, he says not to harm his mother. This is unexpected because the ghost has just asked his son to kill his uncle. I can’t decide whether he doesn’t want his son to kill his own mother, or if he actually has sympathy for a woman who he once loved so much. However he does assert she will be punished in heavy for her sins. In any case I have to beg the question of who the ghost is more upset with and why: the wife who betrayed their marriage vows and conspired against him or the brother who took his house, his bed, and his crown?

1.3 49-56

Why does Opheila tell Laertes to heed his own advice just as he has told her to do?

It seems Ophelia is hinting that Laertes has previously been involved in behavior which counters this advice. She suggests this by saying, "Do not [...] show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, whiles [...] himself the primrose path of dalliance treads"(1.3.49-56). She must live a strict life, while he leads one of self-indulgence. Ophelia has reason for responding to Laertes' advice with skepticism for it seems that he does not follow his own advice. He is about to embark on a journey while she remains at home. There is also a possibility that Ophelia is bombarded with this advice because she is viewed as a delicate woman versus the man Laertes is. Ophelia may be a weak woman who needs the guidance from her more worldly brother. He does not need to heed his own advice because he is a man and will not let his guard down just as Ophelia may with Hamlet. We must applaud Ophelia for pointing out her brother's hypocrisy and address just one of the many injustices between the sexes.

1.3.6-48

In this section Laertes warns Ophelia to protect herself from Hamlet, for his involvement with the state may influence his decisions. What we've seen of Hamlet so far, however, suggests that his interests are far from those of the state. Several possible causes for the distrust Laertes voices emerge in the in class responses to lines 6-48. It may be due his overall distrust in young people: both Hamlet and Ophelia, or due to the recent use of marriage (between Gertrude and Claudius) as a political tool. Laertes wants to protect his sister from something like this happening. It seems as though the relationship between politics and love will be an important theme throughout "Hamlet."

1.3 6-48

Laertes asserts that Hamlet's will is "not his own" (line 20). From what we know of Hamlet, do you think this is true? Should Ophelia indeed "fear" (line 37) Hamlet?

After reading the responses to this question, I was amazed by the complex portrait of Hamlet that emerged. Although it was generally agreed that Hamlet's actions are dictated by a higher authority, there was some debate as to what that authority is. Some argued that he is controlled by a sense of duty to his country while others argued that he is driven by lust. Additionally, while some felt that Ophelia should fear Hamlet, others thought that Laertes' advice is biased. It seems that two very different characterizations of Hamlet are present: the dutiful, self-sacrificing Hamlet and the dangerous, untrustworthy Hamlet.

1.3.104-145

Why is Polonius so anxious to keep Ophelia away from Hamlet? At worst, she could lose her "honor," but at best she could become queen. With the possible reward so high, why wouldn't he just tell her to be careful but still try to win Hamlet's love? And why is he so distrustful of Hamlet?

Ophelia may seem foolish if she succumbs to Hamlet, and Polonius doesn't trust Hamlet or Ophelia simply because they are young. However, there may still be another motive for Polonius' distrust of Hamlet, which has not been revealed to us yet. Also, politics may play a part in Polonius' willingness to show any kind of loyalty to Hamlet. Hamlet already seems to the courtiers to dislike Claudius. Polonius may just want to be careful not to antagonize Claudius, hence the disapproval for Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet. This passage contains interesting relationships, both political and familial. We can only look forward to more intriguing info to come!

1.2.122-132

Despite his disrespect for Gertrude and Claudius, Hamlet still acquiesces to their wish for him to stay home from Wittenberg. To some people, Hamlet's submissiveness signals hopelessness for possible action, such as avenging Hamlet Sr.'s death. Deference, however, does not necessarily mean a lack of power. In such a manipulative regime as King Claudius's, appearances are deceiving, and it is necessary to play along and hide one's true intentions in order to be successful. Polonius offers such advice to his son Laertes in Act 1 Scene 3 with a warning, "Give thy thoughts no tongue" (1.3.65), helping young Laertes be alert and protect himself. By appearing obedient, Hamlet can keep Claudius's trust, thereby having the ability to keep an eye on the illegitimate regime's corruption. Moreover, as a responsible Danish prince, Hamlet might also create a stable image of the royal family to keep his loyal Danish subjects at ease.

1.3.104 - 145

Does Polonius understand Ophelia and Hamlet well enough to forbid their interaction with each other? What factors play into his distrust of Hamlet?

The responses to this question reveal many themes that appear in Shakespeare's other plays, connect his many works with common threads. Firstly, the reader does not know enough about Hamlet to understand why Polonius distrusts him because Shakespeare starts this play in a way similar to his other plays, in medias res or "in the middle of things." To understand Polonius' judgment, we must first find out what happened before the beginning of the play. A student also mentions that "when a parent strongly advises a couple to not see each other anymore, it just draws them closer." What we know of the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia parallels that of Romeo and Juliet because both are forbidden. Similar to the warring families in Romeo and Juliet, Polonius and Hamlet seem to be enemies because Polonius is councillor to King Claudius, who recieves hostility from Hamlet. The future of this relationship has yet to be discovered, but the connection to another Shakespeare play is difficult to ignore.

1.3.49-56
Does Ophelia have the authority to ask her brother to follow his own advice?
The relationship between Ophelia and her brother and father follows one of a patriarchally dominant society. Ophelia should not question her brother because due to her situation, she should follow his advice, because being a male, he obviously knows what's best for her. But, one can see Ophelia's defiance to the role of a submissive female by the questioning her brother's advice. Though Ophelia lives in a patriarchal society, some argued that she should be able to question her brother's motives. Most responses related to:
"Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven," (1.3.51-52)
because it tied in the concept of practicing what one preaches. Two responses tied the quote back to everyday life emphasizing that it is hard to follow one's example if the one giving the advice does not follow his or her own advice. If I were to incorporate this quote with an answer to my question, I would say that Ophelia does have the authority to ask Laertes to follow his own advice because if she does not see him set a good example for her, how is she expected to follow his advice?

1.2.133-163
Hamlet does not express his mourning and feelings (lines 133-139) because Claudius says it is "unmanly" to grieve (line 98). Why does Hamlet listen to Claudius? Why doesn't he express what he feels?

Hamlet does not express how he feels because he is realistic, for he knows he can not change Claudius' new kingship and must appease him as a result. However, as demonstrated in his clever and sarcastic opening remarks(69), Hamlet can say things that pass over Claudius' and Gertrude's heads. Because Hamlet is more intelligent than they are, he may be able to manipulate Claudius in the future by pretending to listen to and obey him (similar to Invisible Man's grandfather's advice! - "undermine with yesses"). One of the responses mentioned Hamlet does not completely conceal his feelings, but exposes them to Horatio. This gives the audience insight into their open relationship, and reveals Hamlet is not so guarded that he can not open up to others. Although Hamlet feels comfortable confiding with Horatio, he does not tell him his consideration of suicide. Hamlet's overall repression of his true feelings parallels the question, "When have I struggled to abide by the values I claim to possess?" Hamlet's struggle with voicing not only his emotions, but his strong opinions about Claudius' and Gertrude's marriage may result in an explosion or act of rebellion against Claudius later in the play.

1.2 133-163

Why does Hamelt feel like he has to hold his tongue?

In the answers I recieved, almost everyone replied saying that Hamlet does not feel safe in the kingdom and especially not with Claudius. Claudius's lack of sensitivity and care for Hamlet is evident in his speech where he states that Hamlet's grief "'Tis unmanly grief" (1.2.98). Rather than comforting Hamlet, Claudius only worsens the situation with insults and insensitive comments so it is understandable that Hamlet does not feel comfortable speaking his mind in the presence of Claudius. A point I had not thought about before is that Hamlet does not reveal his suspicions because he may feel some filial duty towards Claudius and his mother. Though I'm not sure whether or not this is true yet, it is a plausible idea and lends depth towards Hamlet's already multifaceted personality.

Frankenstein, Bromden, Invisible Man, and now Dr. Kraft!

Dr. Heidi Squier Kraft, a clinical psychologist who was deployed to Iraq when her twins were only 15 months old, was on NPR talking about how she felt when she returned to the states after trying to repair the damages of war on men and women. She said she had severe post dramatic stress disorder and suffered from nightmares, intrusive images, and "a weird faraway sadness." She also said she knows she's cured now because she's written a book about her experiences. Although she did not know the impacts of writing it at the time, by the time she was done she felt like a totally different person. By documenting her trauma, she was able to eventually let go.
ohhh the power of reflecting and writing

you can find the whole session here:
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/fairgame/local-fairgame-644000.mp3

check it out!

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/media/04/316_ralphWEllison/index.html
I found this while surfing the web the other day; it is a link to a series of recorded lectures at Columbia which talks about Ellison's relationship with New England and New England universities, which reminded me a bit of the IM's fascination with his college campus.

Enjoy -
Amy

Sorry for the typo!
I meant to say "perfectly"

JD makes the same discovery as the Invisible Man

I watched this episode last night and I was amazed at how perfeclty it connected to the INVISIBLE MAN! This episode was filled with lots of JD's memories - both the good and the bad. It is called "My Night to Remember." You'll see toward the end of the clip that JD makes the same discovery as the Invisible Man about the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C7Rt1GdP3o

Cuckoo's Nest Inspired Drawing

"I can't help it. I was born a miscarriage. I had so many insults I died. I was born dead. I can't help it. I'm tired. I'm give out trying." -- Old Blastic from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I drew this after being inspired by our "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" discussions in class."


Ally

Sambo

I googled Sambo too and found out that it is an acronym of a Russian word that means "self-defense without a weapon." There is also a children's tale called "The Story of Little Sambo" which I think everyone should check out. It is about a boy named Little Black Sambo who receives all these new cloths from his parents, but gets it all taken away by tigers who threaten to eat him. In the end, however, he eventually gets all his belongings back when the tigers are too busy fighting each other.

Here is the link to read "The Story of Little Sambo."

http://www.ishipress.com/sambo.htm

Invisible man=everything, everywhere

Hey everyone!

I've been reading Vanity Fair over college week and I suddenly had one of those lovely "it all relates!" epiphanies. The name of the black servant at Miss Pinkerton's school (in Vanity Fair) is named Sambo. I guess this is a name for the cliche, servile black man as imagined in the era of Imperialism and obviously for a while thereafter. Indeed, I Googled it and found this sort of nasty cartoon.

At the bottom, in case you can't see, it says:
LINCOLN: 'I'm sorry to drop you, Sambo, but this concern won't carry us both!'

Movie Flashback to Medea

Hilarious quote from "Igby Goes Down"

Sookie: You call your mother "Mimi"?
Igby: "Heinous One" is a bit cumbersome... And Medea was taken.




That cracks me up.

My Photo Taken of "Invisible Man" at MOMA

Two years ago I went to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and spent two full days in the galleries. I stumbled upon this photograph and took a picture of it because I was so struck by it. Only later (... try two years!) did I discover that we would be reading the book that inspired the photograph! SO COOL!!! Here's an up-close and personal COLOR picture of the Invisible Man photograph that Ms. Hatkoff photocopied onto our I.M. information packets. Enjoy.

P.S.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE AND IT'LL EXPAND. It gets really big, you can see all the details.

Invisible Man at a business meeting... with Rainn Wilson

"White Power"- a little bit different from what we see in I.M......

"I'm not a Maniac"- Ms. Hatkoff (circa 8:30am 9/6/07)

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS YOU HAVE NOT LIVED ( why doesn't the blog allow exclamation points ?)

Fight Club

While reading and discussing One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Next I can't stop thinking about how similar it is to Fight Club. Like Chief Bromden, Edward Norton plays a character who's in need of a little masculinity. That's where Brad Pitt comes in: his character, Tyler Durden convinces Edward Norton's character, the narrator (?) to start a fight club. I wont say what happens in the end cause I think it's definately worth watching, but there seems to be many parallels to Kesey's novel.

exhibit A! I just found this picture to!

okay so it didn't load the first time or something...

Role-reversal as portrayed in summer reading and summer

So I saw soooooo many Korean guys carrying their "yeo ja chingoo"'s (girlfriend's) purses

While reading about the role reversal in Cuckoo, Nurse Ratched emasculating and patronizing a bunch of grown men, I was tickled at the sight of this!



this guy was WHIPPED!

SEOUL MATES- Insadong, Seoul, Korea July 2007

This band was doing a concert to benefit cancer research (i think).
they were actually quite good and the drunk guy in the white T apparently thought so

I came across this quote the other day by psychologist Erinch Fromm that I feel is particularily relevant to the central idea of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.

“It is naively assumed that the fact that the majority of people share certain ideas or feelings proves the validity of these ideas and feelings. Nothing is further from the truth... Just as there is a 'Folie à deux' there is a 'folie à millions.' The fact that millions of people share the same vices does not make these vices virtues, the fact that they share so many errors does not make the errors to be truths, and the fact that millions of people share the same form of mental pathology does not make these people sane. (The Sane Society pgs.14-15)

Anybody agree?

love of mine, some day you will die

That is a very morbid line from Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into the Dark." I am currently finishing up a Red Bull, waiting for the wings...

I went to Santa Monica today, and finally realized that I do not hate Los Angeles. I did hate it yesterday when the earthquake happened, but i got over it after some Coffee Bean.

I feel like I should do something for Owen Wilson. He needs me...poor guy. Anyone up for sending him a care package? No? Yeah, same here.

I really enjoyed myself at Barnes and Noble today (my deepest apologies to Megan Augustiny's grandmother, who runs an independent bookstore) - bought a biography on Rousseau, a book of little vignettes on different parts of Los Angeles, and a Tolstoy that I've been putting off for way too long...but the real reason I had a good time was because one of the workers let me use the employee's restroom. Oh, yes - be jealous.

Today is Labor Day, which means nothing to me except that I do not have school...and I like it like that.

p.s. I just realized the brilliance behind the url for this blog... English IV, English for... Very nice.

I'm fairly certain it's a good year we are going to spend together.