Worth 20 points
Be sure to write two substantive and thoughtful posts:
- Answer one of the questions below (in your post, indicate which one you're addressing). Do not copy your whole essay (that was due Tuesday) in with documentation included, but summarize your opinion and give brief reasoning for your position.
- Reply to another student's post. (Not just a reply to what someone said to you.)
Topics
- Hamlet is often thought of as a cautious, contemplative person. To what extent does Shakespeare's use of language in the soliloquies confirm or disprove this opinion?
- 'Frailty, thy name is woman.' How accurately may this description be applied to Gertrude and Ophelia?
- How has Hamlet changed, if at all, upon his return from England?
- One critic has written of Claudius that he is "a good king, but a bad man." Is this true in your opinion?
- Are the king's agents, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Polonius, villains themselves?
- As he dies, Laertes says that he is "justly killed." Do you agree with this opinion?
- What does your reading of the play lead you to think about revenge? Account for your opinions carefully.
(4) One Critic has written of Claudius that he is a "good king, but a bad man". This is true in my opinion. Claudius was so involved in being king, that he would do anything, from murder, to sending out spies. In act I he killed his own brother, so he could still be king. He also did not like Hamlet because he did not want him to have the throne, so he sent out Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him. Claudius became so wrapped up in trying to guard the throne from Hamlet, that he was involved with nothing else in life.
ReplyDeleteSarah~
DeleteI completely agree with your opinion as to Claudius' character. All throughout the play, the author reveals the lack of integrity that Claudius shows in his actions. Unfortunately, Claudius seems to be only in search of things that will bring glory to himself and boost his pride. Great Job!
Blessings~ Lindsey Rogers
Yes, Claudius seems like the king of person who thinks the ends justify the means. He does seem like one of those kings that look real nice and benevolent in public, but has a really shady background.
DeleteI agree with Sarah, Claudius' character is manipulating, cruel, and selfish. His pride and obsession for power got out of hands. He ended up killing his own brother and marrying his wife. He focused too much on making sure Hamlet didn't take what was his.
DeleteI couldn't word that better. He was a stone cold man that showed no remorse towards others. He had his eyes focused on what he wanted and not once did he turn away from his selfish deeds. He is a good example that absolute power corrupts.
Delete(6) As he dies, Laertes says that he is "justly killed." I personally do agree with this statement. While in the hallway (act V), Hamlet asks Laertes for forgiveness, for his actions had been derived from his madness and not his own will. Laertes does not accept this plea for forgiveness revealing his bitter heart towards Hamlet. Continuing on, as the battle between Laertes and Hamlet begins, Laertes poisons his own sword in an effort to strike down Hamlet. In the midst of battle, they manage to exchange swords and Laertes is then struck down by his own poisoned sword. Laertes cries out that he has been justly killed by his own treachery. Laertes's plans for revenge returned to him and caused his own death.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion. Laertes holds a grudge against Hamlet from the beginning, evident by his trying to persuade Ophelia to not return Hamlet's affection. Very good evidence!
DeleteBailey
I agree with you. Even though Hamlet pleas for forgiveness, Laertes refuses, showing he does not really like Hamlet. You had great evidence and facts to back up your opinion!
Delete(2) I do not believe that Hamlet's statement 'Frailty, thy name is woman.' accurately applies to Gertrude and Ophelia. Gertrude is a widowed queen in a society that looks down on women, so, if anything, her decision to marry the king's brother shows her strength and ability to put aside her own feelings of sadness and do what was best for her country. Ophelia, though naive and innocent, begins to show her strength by realizing that the people in her life had been using her. Unfortunately she cannot at on this realization due to the depression that set in after the death of her father.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of the situation in the point of view you have. You made a very good point which made me rethink about how accurately the statement applies to Gertrude and Ophelia. Now I see how different Gertrude's and Ophelia's point of view were, throughout the play. :)
DeleteAfter reading your comment, I completely agree. You gave me a new point of view on Gertrude and Ophelia. Both characters are different, but yet show forms of strength throughout the story.
DeleteI agree with what you said here, completely. I hadn't considered your approach on Ophelia and I like the way you worded it. Very well thought out:)
Delete3. How has Hamlet changed, if at all, upon his return from England?
ReplyDeleteHamlet has changed in the sense that he was able to control himself more. You couldn't as easily tell that he was the same person because the gravedigger couldn't recognize him. Another thing that showed that he was changed was that he apologized before the battle and showed a huge sign of humility.
(1) I think Shakespeare used language and soliloquies to portray Hamlet as a thoughtful, careful man, however, Hamlet often fuels his decisions with rage and therefore they become rash. In Act III, Scene III, he stops himself from killing Claudius in the chapel for fear that he will end up going to heaven, which proves, again, that Hamlet is intelligent, even if he's powerfully angry. Hamlet's frequent asides where he makes decisions and weighs options, prove that Hamlet is thoughtful and scheming, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what you said here. "Scheming" is perfect word to describe Hamlet, maybe not in a completely evil way, but in the way that he takes a long time to create a precise plan that he has confidence in. I also think you bring up an interesting point how his personality is that of a careful man, but his actions sometimes contradict this.
Delete(5) I don't consider Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Polonius to be villains. They may be of questionable loyalty, that doesn't mean they're entirely bad. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern may be spies of King Claudius, but that doesn't mean they hate Hamlet. In fact, as childhood friends, they seem concerned for Hamlet's well-being at times. They didn't even know that they were sending Hamlet to his death when they went to England, as they did not know the contents of the letter regarding Hamlet's execution. Polonius seems genuinely concerned for the well-being of his children, regardless of his actions. His warning to Ophelia regarding her affair with Hamlet can show how he cares for her. Either way, the three characters aren't considered to be total villains to me. They're just human.
ReplyDelete(1) The language that Shakespeare uses in Hamlet's soliloquies show how Hamlet is a cautious and contemplative person mostly through the use of stream of consciousness. A soliloquy literally means "speaking ones thoughts aloud", and by doing this, the reader gets to see Hamlets exact thought process as he contemplates, suicide, death, what to do about Claudius, and more. Hamlet's thoughts are usually very long and detailed, and he examines multiple scenarios and possibilities. This extensive contemplation Hamlet endures is easily recognized by the reader as Hamlet being cautious and thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteI like the simplicity of your argument! Your definition of a soliloquy really demonstrates that Hamlet IS contemplative and your whole argument is clear and consistent. Especially after reading this, I see how Hamlet is a cautious and contemplative person. Good job!
Delete(5) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern serve as spies for the villainous king and follow his order to take Hamlet to his place of execution, and Polonius serves as the right hand man to the king. But, out of the three, only Polonius is a villain. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern think that their service to the king is in the best interest of all Denmark (Act 3, Scene 2). So, they know little of the negative effects that they cause. Sure, not everything that they do is right, but their actions are not out of villainy, but out of consideration for the well-being of Denmark. On the other hand, Polonius serves the villainous king selfishly and without interest for the people of Denmark. He considers sending Hamlet away, knowing that Hamlet is the heir to the throne (Act 3, Scene 2). Sending Hamlet away would not only weaken the family government, but it would also anger the people of Denmark, who love Hamlet (Act 4, Scene 3). This foolish consideration of Polonius causes the reader to believe that he, as a close advisor to the king, may be eying the throne for himself; yet, it certainly causes the reader to see that Polonius does not care for the people of Denmark. Out of Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Polonius, only Polonius is a villain.
ReplyDelete(4) One critic has written of Claudius that he is "a good king, but a bad man." I don't think Claudius was a good king or a good man. He begins his reign by killing his brother, marrying his sister-in-law and dividing his step-son who is his inheritor to the throne. He realizes there is a threat from Fortinbras, but assumes that a simple letter to Fortinbras' uncle will stop the attacks. Claudius throughout the whole play has been looking selfish and unkind. He is determined to get rid of anyone in his way. He only shows affection to his wife, also known as his sister-in-law.
ReplyDelete5. I do not believe that the king's agents are necessarily malicious or evil. They must, on some level, know that what they are doing is probably not right and be okay with that. They do not question Claudius' motives. However, I do not think that they are bad people or villains.
ReplyDeleteWhat does your reading of the play lead you to think about revenge? Account for your opinions carefully.
ReplyDeleteBy trying to get even it leads to more time, and energy when if you just got over it you can move forward rather then dwelling on your past. . From the start Hamlets father is murdered by Claudius. Hamlet wants to get revenge for this and attempts throughout the play to avenge his father's death. Revenge consequently climaxes with the wholesale slaughter scene of Act 5 Scene 2.
This play presents a complex picture of revenge; I like how you put this though, it captures what was a the center of the drama.
Delete2. "Frailty thy name is woman" is a simply enough statement, and is pretty self explanatory; however I think that it is perfectly highlighted in the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia. Both are sideline characters in "Hamlet" and their purpose is generally served in contrasting the leading men, which is why this quote applies so well to them; they are frail and delicate, they trail along behind the men in their lives passively and both meet their ruin.
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