Act V Response

I have never had the greatest relationship with Shakespeare. Over the past few years when reading his works, I always struggled. His writing was always quite difficult for me to understand, even with my former teachers’ explanation. So when we began to read Hamlet, I assumed that my experience would be the same: difficult and boring. Luckily, my experience was unlike I expected, as I did particularly enjoy Hamlet.

In my opinion, watching Kenneth Branagh’s movie version of Hamlet whilst reading the actual play was a brilliant idea. Actually being able to visualize the action that was taking place was enjoyable, and I didn’t have any trouble understanding the characters’ reactions and feelings. Also, having them in conjunction opened it up for me to actually be able to appreciate Shakespeare’s writing. Without having to ponder what was taking place in the play, I was able to wonder more about Shakespeare’s metaphors and similes, and the true meanings behind his words.

Furthermore, I felt that the blogs and mini-projects we did after the acts did slightly help me to better grasp and question the story. The first two blog entries we did were the favorites, as it gave me the ability to take the story in my own hands. I got to create my own reality for the characters, and also learned a bit more Shakespearean language. I don’t quite remember the mini-projects that we did, but I do remember not liking the “To be or not to be” parody, as I’m not the biggest fan of poetry.

To close, Hamlet was the first Shakespeare play that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. I was bored by Romeo and Juliet, and left confused throughout Julius Caesar. But this play left me with different feelings. I thought it was thought-provoking and full of great twists. But perhaps without watching the play without reading it, I wouldn’t have felt that way. Whatever the reason for my liking it, my experience with Hamlet was a positive one, and makes me curious about Shakespeare’s other works.

Act III Essay

                The role of parents is quite significant in the play Hamlet. From Gertrude to Claudius, Polonius to old Hamlet, parental figures prove to have a great importance in the play overall. Many times, these parents are the driving forces for their children’s actions. Hamlet, Ophelia, and Laertes, the only characters in the play with parents, all make decisions and dictate their actions with a great deal of thought towards their parental figures. The theme of family is easily seen throughout the play, and the relationship between child and parent appears to me to be a key component behind Hamlet.

                In my opinion, the parents in Hamlet are the driving forces behind their children. This can mostly be seen in the relationship of Hamlet, the main character, and his father. While the death of his father clearly crippled Hamlet, Hamlet decides to get revenge on his uncle Claudius upon seeing his father’s ghost. For his father, and only his father, Hamlet wants to get revenge. I believe that Hamlet would have done anything for his father, in life or death, because they had such a significant relationship. Also, I feel that actually seeing his father’s ghost drove Hamlet to exact revenge on Claudius. Furthermore, Hamlet’s love for his father led him to go to whatever measures.

                Through the father-daughter relationship of Polonius and Ophelia, we see the complete and utter obedience she has for her father. Not only does Ophelia end her relationship with Hamlet for her father, but she also lets him use her as a pawn in his games. Polonius has total control over his daughter, and his role as a parent is perhaps the most powerful role he holds in the play. However, without her father’s albeit harsh commands, I believe that Ophelia would have no idea what decisions to make and what actions to take. Ophelia needs her father, as his influence is essential to her.

                The roles of the other parents appear to me to be slightly different. Claudius, a parent to Hamlet by marriage, seems to have little role as a parent in throughout the play. Even when he is attempting to be a father-figure towards Hamlet, he is condescending and fake. Gertrude as well only slightly seems like a parent to Hamlet. She is hardly there for her son, and always seems to take Claudius’ side. Laertes and Polonius’ relationship is far more advanced. Polonius was an important figure in Laertes’ life, so his death, like old Hamlet’s death to Hamlet, led Laertes to go to whatever means necessary for revenge.

                Overall, parents in Hamlet have proven to be quite significant to the storyline. Without Hamlet’s love and need to avenge his father, there would not be a story. Ophelia’s obedience to her own father has added much to play. And while we have yet to finish Hamlet, I can already tell that Laertes’ love for his father will dictate how the play will end up. Therefore, parents have a role in this play that I believe is drastic. They push their children, the most significant characters, to make decisions. These decisions just happen to be what make up the play.

Act II: Hamlet's Letter to Ophelia

To My Dearest Ophelia,

My heart, my soul, my everything? Why dost thou ignore me? Dost thou not know how my love and passion burns for you? I must then ask thee, my dearest, why you have turned from thee. Ere, you were always there at thy demand, my dear. But now, my sweet Ophelia, you have gone! Thy father hath made you, my darling Ophelia, turn from me, thy Hamlet! How could such blasphemy have occurred!
Hark, Ophelia, hark. Hear my words. Thou are more lovely and desirable than any girl I have laid eyes on. Mark, I haved loved you more than anyone has every loved. Do not let thy father changed that. Do not let him take hence what is true and pure. For our love, Ophelia, is purer than a newborn child. You must know of that, my sweet.
I am now appearing mad, my Ophelia. Having thou taken from me has thus changed me. Everywhere, methinks I see thee. I hear thy voice when thou are nowhere to be found. Is that normal, my sweet? Is that why thou have left me, your Hamlet? For I cannot make sense of why thou has. Our love was my everything, and now it has been taken away. I do not know how much more pain I can handle.
I pray thee Ophelia, I beg. Please come back to me. I pray, I pray, I pray. How could thou leave me in such a time? How could thou reject our love, our pure love? And so I pray, Ophelia, that thou will come back to me? Marry thou could do so. We could run away together, thou and I, Ophelia. Where no pernicious man can hurt our love. Marry thou could do so, could you not, my love?

Yours Forever,
Hamlet

Hamlet and Ophelia: The Beginning

Young Ophelia went out for a walk around the castle grounds, with all eyes on her. As the daughter of King Hamlet's advisor, she always received much attention. But she never quite received the attention from who she wanted. Ever since she was a child, Ophelia had been in love with Prince Hamlet. Although she had only spoken to him scarce occasions, she knew that she wanted to be with him forever.
"Hello, Ophelia," the shopkeeper said as she entered the small building, with the intent of buying parchment for her father, Polonius.
"Hello, sir," she responded politely. "I'm here to buy the shipment of parchment my father requested.
"Oh, of course, I'll go get it in the back. I'll be only a moment." As the shopkeeper wandered into the back on his quarters, Ophelia began looking around, running her delicate hands over fabrics and books.
"Ophelia, is it?" She jumped at the sound of a young man's voice. She turned around to find Hamlet smiling down at her.
"Hello, sir," she remarked shyly, curtseying like her father always told her to do. "How are you?"
"Oh, I am fine," he said as he moved in closer to her. "I just needed to get out of that stuffy old castle." Ophelia responded with a slight grin, understanding his need to be free.
"How is your father?" Hamlet asked, examining a line of fabric.
"Oh, he is fine."
"Good, good. But more importantly, how are you?" Ophelia was startled by the prince's question. Very rarely was she asked how she was doing. But to have Hamlet believe that her feelings outwayed those of her father's? That was something she had never experienced.
"I am fine, thank you." The shopkeeper came back, a pile of parchment in his dry hands. Ophelia handed him a variety of coins, and turned to leave the shop.
"Goodbye, Ophelia," Hamlet called. "It was nice seeing you."
"And you, too." She placed one foot out the door, but then suddenly stopped herself. "Actually, Sir Hamlet, would you like to accompany me on my walk?"
Hamlet's face lit up in delight as he replied, "Of course."

Minor Characters in Chapter 8

In this chapter, the only minor character we really see in Michaelis:

• Michaelis- In this chapter, Michaelis attempts to comfort George Wilson after the death of his wife, Myrtle. Michaelis stays with him for hours, and tries to calm him down. He asks him question about his life, Myrtle, and suggests that Wilson go to a church or talk to a priest. When Wilson tells him of his suspicion that someone purposely tried to kill Myrtle, Michaelis assures him that it was an accident. Then, when Wilson refers to the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg as God, Michaelis replies, "That's an advertisement (pg. 167)." I believe that Michaelis could possibly symbolize good, because he is the only one to stay with Wilson all day, and he does not seem corrupt. He could even symbolize reason, as he tries to reason with George that his wife was not murdered and that the advertisement isn't really God.
• Wolfsheim- Wolfsheim is very briefly mentioned in this chapter: "The chauffeur- he was one of Wolfsheim's proteges- heard the shots (pg.169)-" This could further show that Wolfsheim symbolizes corruption, as the chauffeur, his supposed protege, did not think much about the shots he heard.

Themes In Chapter Six

In Chapter Two, the two major themes are evident:

• Immorality in the 1920's- In this chapter, we once again see a lot of drinking. Tom and his friends Mr. and Mrs. Sloane stop by Gatsby's house, where they have drinks. Later, Tom and Daisy attend one of Gatsby's parties for the first time, where drinks are of course served all around.
• The American Dream- Nick finally learns about Gatsby's real background in this chapter. "The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself (pg. 104)." He was born James Gatz, of North Dakota, with little money. I believe that Gatsby's want and need for the American Dream has a lot to do with the fact that in his younger years, he never had the ideal living. Add in the fact that he longed for Daisy so much, he would do anything to capture the dream. Nick tries to convince Gatsby that he can't repeat the past with Daisy, but Gatsby's need for the American Dream convinces himself otherwise.

Symbols in Chapter Four

In Chapter Four of The Great Gatsby, we see a variety of symbols:

• Gatsby's car- In this chapter we learn more about Gatsby's infamous car. It is described as "a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hatboxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes, and terraced with a labyrinth of windshields that mirrored a dozen suns (pg. 68)." In the beginning of this chapter, Gatsby and Nick get pulled over by a cop while driving through the Valley of Ashes. Because of this, Gatsby's car symbolizes the carelessness and recklessness of the wealthy during this time period.
• the Green Light- Towards the end of this chapter Nick realizes that Gatsby is in love with Daisy: "Then it had not been merely the stars to which he had aspired on that June night (pg. 83)." Nick begins to realize that when he first saw Gatsby looking across the bay at the green light, he was longing for Daisy. I believe that the green light represents Gatsby's longing for Daisy and his hope that someday they may be together. I also think that the light could even symbolize the American Dream itself.