Hamlet 2.0

So I decided Shakespeare's Hamlet is getting a bit, eh, outdated. So lets modernize it. Switch it up. Hamlet is now getting a makeover, and some makeup to hide those wrinkles.

Old Hamlet is a major druglord, leader of the LA cartel Denmark, on the brink of war with an opposing cartel, the Fortinbras. Old Hamlet is killed by his brother  "Clowdy"Claudius, who's been brewing with jealousy for a while. Claudius takes over the cartel and pacifies the "beef" with the Fortinbras. Old Hamlet's son, "Young Hamma" Hamlet, has been out of the picture away at art school. Young Hamma still hasn't taken after his father's ways, although temptation has tickled his thoughts.

Hamlet's Soliloquy

I am comparing 2 renditions of Hamlet’s soliloquy; Doran’s version and Branagh’s. In Doran's version, Hamlet seems awestruck and somewhat scared, and delivers the famous soliloquy pondering over his thoughts as he looks out from a balcony. In contrast, in Branagh’s version Hamlet is staring into a mirror and delivers his lines intensely, coming across as on the brink of insanity. Here, Hamlet exaggerated his frustration with the corruption in Denmark. In Doran’s version, Hamlet seems more thoughtful about the dreaming aspect. I prefer Branagh’s  interpretation because the slightly- insane Hamlet appeals to me more than a dreamy one; that to be honest, was getting boring after 1 minute.

Short Works Essay Revision

In the poem "Digging", Seamus Heaney uses symbolism to show how the narrator has different ambitions from his father. The narrator starts the story by admiring his father and grandfather’s passion for digging. The symbols Heaney used to represent each person’s interest are the spade that is used to dig, and the pen used to write. As the poem goes on the narrator tells us how he has chosen to use a pen as a tool, unlike the spade his father digs with. The narrator's use of symbols shows us that although we should be proud of our heritage, we should evaluate our traits and follow our own interests.

In the poem " Digging", Seamus Heaney used a spade and a pen as symbols. Heaney used these symbols to show how the narrator has different ambitions from his father. The narrator starts the story by admiring his father and grandfather’s passion for digging. As the poem goes on, the narrator tells us how he has chosen to use a pen as a tool, unlike the spade his father digs with.The narrator's use of symbols shows us that although we should be proud of our heritage, we should recognize what we want and follow our own interests.

Analysis of the portrayals of Hamlet

In the video representations of Hamlet Act 1 Scene 3, Ophelia was shown differently each time. In the first video that I saw, Ophelia seemed slightly sassy, but it seemed that it was dawning on her that maybe having a relationship with Hamlet was not a very wise idea. As her brother beseeches her to end anything to do with Hamlet, she seems distracted. Once he continues talking however, she seems to grow more attentive and rethink her commitment to him. Towards the end, Ophelia counters her brother with an argument but still continues to listen to what he has to say. So while Ophelia does seem careless she takes into consideration her brother's words. In the second video, Ophelia appears even more distracted and naive. As her brother tries to convince her to forget about Hamlet, she continually wanders off and seems to pay him no attention. I would think Ophelia to be more like the second video portrays her. I believe she would be naive past reason and unwilling to listen to anyone telling her to discontinue her relationship with Hamlet. 

When comparing the actual ghost seen to Branagh's approach, I am first of all struck by the resemblance of this ghost scene to a scene from Harry Potter, when Harry meets Voldemort in the dark forest. In Branagh's expression, the ghost seems scary and Hamlet is downright terrified. However, when I read this scene, the ghost had a more pleading tone. In my head, the ghost was sorrowful over the evil that was done, and Hamlet was stunned by the news but resolved to do anything he can to make matters right. Although seeing a different approach was refreshing, I do not agree with it.

Hamlet

In William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, the main character, Hamlet (a bit obvious), comes across as mysterious and somewhat lonely. His father died a little over a month ago, and his mother is already getting married to none other than his uncle, his father's brother. His uncle is the King of Denmark, making his mother the new Queen of Denmark. Hamlet is still mourning his father's death, and resents the fact that his mom seems to have moved on so quickly, although he is not able to say anything about it. Hamlet is repeatedly told to face the death of his father and move on, being told "'Tis unmanly grief."(I.2.98)
A day before this, the guards of the castle have seen a ghost appear around midnight for 3 days in a row. An advisor to the king, named Horatio saw the ghost and has said that the ghost has the likeness of the late father of Hamlet. While no one has told this to the king or his soon to be wife, Horatio, tells Hamlet. When he hears of this, Hamlet hopes to catch sight of the ghost, saying wishfully, " I would I had been there."(I.2.25) Hamlet seems to miss his father a lot, although neither his mother or his uncle seem to share that same opinion.
To me, Hamlet seems like a kind prince who has just suffered a great loss. He sounds neutral about the loss, saying very matter-of-factly," Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief/ that can denote me truly. These indeed "seem"/ For they are actions a man might play;/ But I have that within which passes show,/ These but the trappings and the suits of the woe."(I.2.85-89). Hamlet has also shown that he is obedient, saying ,"But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue. "(164). Loyalty and sympathy have also been traits used do describe him, like when the King says,"...'tis a loving and a fair reply" (I.2.125) Overral, I think Hamlet is a innocent, sad prince who has done nothing to deserve my scorn, yet.

Symbols

9/30/13

D Block

Use of the Spade and Pen as a Symbol by Heaney in “Digging”

In the poem "Digging", Seamus Heaney uses symbolism to show how the narrator has different ambitions from his father. The narrator starts the story by admiring his father and grandfather’s passion for digging. The symbols Heaney used to represent each person’s interest are the spade that is used to dig, and the pen used to write. As the poem goes on the narrator tells us how he has chosen to use a pen as a tool, unlike the spade his father digs with. The narrator's use of symbols shows us that although we should be proud of our heritage, we should evaluate our traits and follow our own interests.

At the beginning of the poem, the narrator fondly recalls his father and grandfather’s accomplishments as farmers, reminiscing; “My grandfather cut more turf in a day/ than any other man on Toner’s bog.(Heaney 17-18)”The narrator repeatedly talks about how skilled his father and grandfather were with the spade, which symbolizes their passion for digging the land. The narrator continues admiring his father saying, “By God, the man could handle a spade/ Just like his old man.(Heaney 15-16”  It has clearly been shown that digging the land has been the popular choice in the narrator’s family, but the narrator’s own interest has not been expressed yet.; whether he will follow his father’s steps that he admires, or not. 

Later we learn that as much as the narrator admires his father and grandfather, he recognizes that digging is not for him. He laments, “But I’ve no spade to follow men like them.(Heaney 28)” While the narrator accepts and respects his predecessor’s choice, he is not afraid to state his tool of choice, the pen. The narrator displays how he has the same passion his father had, but with a pen, saying, “The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.(Heaney 2)” However, it is unclear if the narrator will succumb to his father’s influence to dig the land and ignore his own passion.

Towards the end of the poem, the narrator has decided to “dig” in his own unique way. At this point, the narrator has gone over his admiration for his ancestor’s devotion to digging the land while recognizing he wants to stray from that path. The narrator reaches a conclusion, saying, “Between my finger and my thumb/ The squat pen rests./ I’ll dig with it.(Heaney 29)” The narrator has shown that he will pursue his own passion, being as devoted as his father and grandfather, yet without a spade.

Seamus Heaney uses symbols in his poem to show us the narrator’s appreciation of his family tradition, yet decides to pursue his own passion. He decides he doesn’t want to use a spade to dig, but instead wants to write using a pen. The way the narrator uses these shows us that appreciating the work of those that come before you is perfectly fine, but we should follow a path that inspires us.

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Essay Outline

Process Essay Outline

 In the poem "Digging" Heaney uses symbolism to show how the narrator is different from his father. The narrator starts the story by admiring his father and grandfather’s passion in digging the land. As the poem goes on the narrator tells us how he has chosen to use a pen as a tool, unlike the spade his father digs with. The narrator's use of symbols shows us that although we should be proud of our heritage, we should evaluate our traits and follow our own interests

The narrator fondly recalls his father and grandfather’s accomplishments as farmers.

a.     “By God, the man could handle a spade. Just like his old man.”

b.     “My grandfather cut more turf in a day Than any other man on Toner’s bog.”

2.     As much as the narrator admires his father and grandfather, he recognizes that digging is not for him.

a.     “But I’ve no spade to follow men like them.”

b.     “The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.”

3.     The narrator has decided to “dig” in his own unique way.

a.     “Between my finger and my thumb. The squat pen rests. I’ll dig with it.”

Seamus Heaney uses symbols in his poem to show us the narrator’s appreciation of his family tradition, yet decides to pursue his own passion.  He decides he doesn’t want to dig, but instead wants to write. The way the narrator uses symbols shows us that appreciating the work of those that can before you is perfectly fine, we should follow a path that inspires us.

Process Essay

In the short story "Digging" Heaney uses symbolism to show how the narrator is different from his father. The narrator starts the story by describing a scene where he is writing at his desk, looking out to see his father digging the land outside. In this scene, the symbolism lies in the way the narrator is separate from his father, observing him instead of being with him; and choosing to use a pen as a tool, unlike the spade his father digs with.The narrator's use of symbols shows us how we shouldn't be afraid to stray from the usual path and follow our own interests.

Get Over It

 So, in this poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson the protagonist's name is Miniver. Miniver Cheevy wishes he was born in a different time, and wastes the life he HAS thinking wishfully. I think this guy should get over it and try to make the best of his situation. I'm not saying he can't like the medieval ages, knights are cool and stuff, but hey you're alive now; take advantage of that. By showing us a character who resents ever being born, Robinson may be trying to get us to appreciate the life we have now. I agree, you can't take yourself back in time, wake up buddy.

Irony

Sometimes, it takes hearing your idea from someone else for you to realize how wrong you are. Sarcasm is the most effective tool to use here because by saying "yes" sarcastically, I make you think about why I would say "no". Similarly, when Marge Piercy says "To every woman a happy ending." in her poem, "Barbie Doll", she is definitely not talking about an actual happy ending. She is mocking the people that think girls should look and be perfect, like a Barbie Doll. In this poem, a girl commits suicide after being bullied. She is told she has a big nose and fat legs, and "offered (her nose and legs) up." I think Piercy used sarcasm in her poem to make the reader reflect on their judgements by writing  that she stands behind the bullying, and making the reader re-evaluate what beauty is actually worth. It's clearly not worth dying for.

Don't Worry About It

The story that interested me the most out of our summer reading was Nadine Gordimer's "Once upon a Time". I think the family in the dream perfectly shows why worrying too much is bad. I try to tell my classmates and parents this all the time, if you worry about bad things happening to you, its more likely that they will happen, only because you're worried about it. Hence my motto," Don't Worry About It". The family in the story lived in a nice neighborhood, where safety wasn't really an issue. But, the worrisome parents decided that they needed gates and a whole bunch of stuff to be even further protected. In the end, their son is killed by the very gate that was supposed to protect them. That's right, he isn't killed by the supposedly dangerous outside world, but by the gate his parents installed. Moral of the story, if you don't look for a problem, then there isn't one.