Little Lies Week 11

  When Polonius tells Renoldoe to spy on Laerties, he tells him to make up little lies, not ones that would ruin his reputation.  If this is true then, they will not be shocked, it would be natural to them.  However, if it isn't, then they will be shocked and appalled.  This is really risky.  It is also, in my opinion very dumb.  Polonius tell Renoldoe to go and gossip, but then tells him not to trust gossip.  Gosh, time for Logic class!

Opening Scene Week 11

     I am really not quite sure why they opened Scene 2 with Polonius giving Renoldoe instructions.  But, this is what I think.  They opened this scene with something simple because Hamlet just saw a ghost.  After Polonius gives instuctions, Ophelia barges in his room terrified of Hamlet.  You need to know that Hamlet has had time to go into her room and take her "by the wrist and held me hard.

then goes he to the length of all his arm, and, with his other hand thus o'er his brow" as well as stay like that for a long time.  If the scene opened with Ophelia barging in the room, it would not have been as convincing.  If the scene did not open with this, where else would it fit in?  Shakespeare thought out the little details.  The play needed these scenes and they had to be places stratigicly.  That is why the scene opened the way it did.

 

Quite a Fright! Week 10

     When Hamlet visited Ophelia, she describes him as..."with his doublet all unbraced; no hat upon his head; his stockings fouled,ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle; pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; and with a look so piteous in purport as if he had been loosèd out of hell..."  This would scare anyone, especially to someone who is used to having somone look...normal.  The description is very vivid in this scene, it has to be since you really don't see Hamlet look like this ANYTIME in the play, when you see him, he is immaculenty groomed.  If you didn;t have this description, you would be left hanging.

First Impressions week 9

  Many people think that Hamlet is a good play.  Yes, it has hidden plots and twists and lots of excitement (not to mention hidden doors that are no really a big secret.)  But, could less people die???  I mean a few could die such as the King Claudius.  But, can't Hamlet live, I thought that he was supposed to be the hero?!?!?  I think that we could have gotten the point across without so much blood and violence!!!  Just my opinion but then it couldn't have been called a tragedy would it?

Murder!!! week 9

       When the ghost of King Hamlet comes to tell his son how he was murdered he said, " 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark is by a forgèd process of my death rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown."  I think that this statement holds many meanings.
       When he say's this, he lets his son, Hamlet know that he died by poison and Hamlets' uncle is the real murderer.  This is very important as it makes Hamlets' wrath burn with fury.  Not only did his uncle murder a person, it was his own brother and he lied about it to the whole state of Denmark.
     In saying all of this he also calls his brother a snake.  "...the serpent that did sting thy father’s life..."  During the play, there are many references to the scripture, so Hamlet would know that the serpant represents Satan.  This would also show how truly evil the uncle is and it would also fool Hamlet into thinking that there are indeed grounds for revenge. 
   
       The ghost describes his death by saying that his blood grew thick throughout his veins, he broke out in a scaly rash and that he 'slept' at the hands of his brother. 
     I think that this is significant because it makes Hamlet understand how truly terrifying his fathers' death was.  It shifted Hamlet from-half way to fully committed to revenge.  I think that the ghost planned it this way just in case there was any doubt at all in Hamlets' mind about killing his uncle.
      The description also paints a picture in your mind that does not leave you easily.  I can still remember exactly how the King died even though I wish it to go away.  This was also carefully planned out by the ghost, in my opinion.  If Hamlet ever hesitated, the image would play over and over until it made him so angry that he lost his self-control.

Which Polition's? Week 8

          Brutus-   Romney
    Both Brutus and Romney start out with good ambitions but their opinions are swayed easily by others.  They are both good speech makers.  Many people like them and they are considered honorable and brave by many people.  The difference that I saw was that Romney made a change for the better (mostly) and Brutus made a change for the worst, and Romney isn't a Stoic.
  
Caesar-  J. F.Kennedy
     I felt that J.F.K and Caesar are incredibly similar.  They both were very famous and made good decisions.  They also made good changes that some people did not like at all.  All of the time the well being of the people was on their minds'.  They were both killed by angry and jealous people.  People still liked them after they died.  And, they still speak about both Caesar and J.F.K.  They were different because J.F.K probably did not think himself a god.

          Mark Antony-  Sarah Palin 
                Sarah Palin and Mark Antony are similar because they both stick to what they believe no matter what other people say.  They are good orators.  They keep the places that they control under just laws and they care about the people and are loyal to their friends.  Many people doubted them (those who thought that a woman couldn't govern and Brutus underestimated Anony) but they still succeeded and came out on top.  

          Cassius- Obama
                They each are strong in their viewpionts (even if they are bad).  They don't care what people say and will twist the truth to get what they want.  They can easily persuade people and alter how they speak to the audience.  The difference is that Cassius wasn't arrogant and Obama is (he is more like Caesar on this point).

Friendship Means What? Week 8

     Brutus thinks that true friendship means not ever overlooking any faults and acknowledging all mistakes.  Meanwhile, Cassius thinks that a friend should overlook ALL bad things.
       They each are right...to a degree.  Yes, when a friend makes a mistake, you should correct them.  After all, who can improve if they don't know that they are wrong?  But, you should not bring up past mistakes to strengthen your argument, which is what Brutus did.  "For you have been known to have an itchy palm, Cassius"  (paraphrased)
       You see, Brutus is dredging up past mistakes to make Cassius feel regret, but all Cassius felt was anger and rebuke. 

Is This Ambition? Week 7

       When Mark Antony gave his funeral speech, he chose to refute what Brutus said about Caesar.  Brutus accused Ceasar of being ambitious.  To do this, Antony told of many things that Caesar did.  Caeasar gave the money of his triumphs in war to the people of Rome.  He wept for the poor, denied the crown thrice and left most of his property to the people of Rome. 
        Yes, this is convincing.  Antony made Brutus look bad by saying at the end of each attack, "...is this ambition? Yet, Brutus says that he was ambitious, and Brutus is an honorable man."

Brutus

       When Brutus joins the conspiracy, he starts to believe that he truly is like Caesar. He starts to believe Cassius' lies.
            He makes bad decisions and bases his decision to kill Caesar off of what-if's.  What-if Caesar becomes king?  What-if he takes all of our money?  See, he has no proof and makes bad decisions.
              Brutus and Caesar have multiple similarities, most of which lead to both of thier destructions.  Brutus and Caesar are both born into high-class families.  They both become arrogant and think that no one can hurt them.  Although, Brutus starts to believe this after he joins the conspiracy.  The conspiracy was certainly turn for the worst for Brutus although it is not for certain whether the conspiracy helped Rome or not.

Main events

In 'Julius Caesar' the main focus is on how the people of Rome hate Caesar.  The main characters are, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Cassius, and Brutus.

Amazing Changes

      In Act I Scene I, Canterbury and Ely are having their conversation about a bill that is being proposed and the conversation drifts to king Henry V.  Canterbury says "Yea, at that very moment consideration like an angel came and whipped th' offending Adam out of him, leaving his body like a paradise to envelope and contain celestial spirits."
      After the bishops have this conversation, we can see that the bishops think that it is amazing that the king has changed from a drunkard to a studious king the moment his father died. 
      This part is important to understand if we want to know why the prince of France is mocking the king.

Shakespeare's View

    The play ends with Henry courting Katherine and Henry telling her father that if he isn't given her hand then he will keep the war going.  It shows that Henry isn't some bloodthirsty killer, but instead is willing to end the war on his terms.  When Henry says "...it is good for you my love is blind" he means if he didn't love Katherine, the war wouldn't end until they offered him something better.
     I think that Shakespeare thought of Henry as a typical person, not above or below the common people. He has feelings, fears, weaknesses, and strengths, just like us.  The only thing different is the family he was born into.

     King Henry is different from other men because he trusts God no matter what and knows that He is in control.  When one of his soldiers said "I hope they do not attack us now",  Henry simply said "We are in God's hands now"  This statement proves his great faith in God. 
     What makes a king different than a commoner is the fact that the king makes the decisions and commoners follow and obey.

How Shalt We Treat The French?

   After the first battle of the play "Henry V",  the king says to treat the French of the town with mercy.  In Act 3, Scene 3, he states "Use mercy to them all for us, dear uncle."  It is plain that king Henry does not want the French destroyed since he wants them to be spared and he wants his soldiers to be merciful to the French.  Yes, it was the Christian thing to do.