Braden+Blaser

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I don't know why it's just kind of funny and... well never mind.

Braden Blaser Hamlet Blog #4 2-20-12

Hamlet #4 = = So we finally finished the play and to be honest i liked it alot more than I initially expected to. The characters were all well developed and unique and the storyline was very interesting. I did think that there was a few spots where it was slightly boring but I guess thats how it always is with this kind of literature.



Questions: Why does Hamlet wait until after Ophelia's death to start ranting about his love for her? What is the main reason behind Laertes and Hamlet fighting at the funeral? Is it possible Gertrude could have known of the poison in the wine?

Essential Question:
I was curious about Laertes true feelings towards Hamlet. Obviously he dislikes him, but enough to murder him? After they all realize they're going to die he begins apologizing and saying its not Hamlet's fault he and his father are dead. If Laertes thought this way why would he agree to basically murder Hamlet. I like the passage by Fortinbras when he enters the room after everyone has died because it helps give an accurate scale of the gravity of what has just taken place. This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death! What feast is toward in thine eternal cell, that thou so many princes at a shot So bloodily hast struck?
 * Fortinbras: **

Braden Blaser Hamlet Blog #3 2-12-12

Hamlet #3 = = = = So this last week in the mythical land of Shakespeare's Hamlet has been an exciting one. Honestly there was a point when i almost got a little pissed off. When we read the Soliloquys of Hamlet and Claudius I may have gotten slighlty carried away thanks to Hamlets brilliant use of dramatic irony. Hamlet was sitting there debating whether or not he should kill Claudius and then ultimately decides not to becasue Claudius is praying, but at the same time we know Clausius isn't even praying. I was like F%^$%*& kill him!!!! But Hamlet is a freaking wuss so I guess I should have known better. Actually I find that Hamlet's soliloquy lets us dig around in his brain allowing us to see the tumultous swirl of thoughts that make up his conscious.

Essential Question: The previous scene is a perfect example of how our perception distorts things. Imagine if Hamlet had known that Claudius had not been praying. There may have been a good chance that Hamlet would have ran him through with his sword right on the spot.

= = = =  Questions: Whats the deal with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? If there such buddies with Hamlet why don't they try to help him out instead of just leach information out him? Whats goin on with Hamlet's and Gertrudes relationship? At times they show some affection towards each other but not all the time. Personally I find Gertrude not be all that motherly and Hamlet is so flip floppy about it. My favorite line of the week: Claudius admits to himself that his prayer is useless and that he has no true feelings of remorse and is damned regardless. Plus the nice rhyme is a bonus.
 * King:**
 * My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. **
 * Words without thoughts never to heaven go **

Braden Blaser Hamlet Blog #2 2-04-12

Hamlet #2 So far Ive enjoyed Hamlet quite alot more than i originally anticipated.

During this weeks reading I started to get a few questions about the story.


 * 1) How come there isn't very much information coming from Hamlet about his feelings for Ophelia?
 * 2) Why do Polonius and Laertes seem to dislike Hamlet so much?

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After watching the film version I feel like after Hamlet talks to his father's ghost is when his craziness begins to set in. Up until this point in the play he's acting like pretty much anyone would after their father died and then have to watch their mother get remarried the next month. I think this is where Hamlet breaks. Now, Hamlet, hear:'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me; but know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown. O my prophetic soul! My uncle!
 * Ghost **
 * HAMLET **

In my opinion this is where Hamlet begins to let the whole scandal consume his life. And thus begins his road to insanity. It also ties into my class's essentail question.Hamlet listens and obeys the ghost as if it was a living thing while the other characters involved in the scene wanted nothing to do with it out of fear.

Braden Blaser Hamlet Blog #1 1-28-2012

Hamlet = = This is my first time doing this so please forgive me if this seems weird as i honestly don't really understand how to do anything on here. Anyways on to Hamlet!



After switching into AP from regular I was very happy to hear that we would be reading Hamlet. Hamlet to me seems like one of those things that has been really pervasive in our society. Whether its hearing someone quoting one of its many famous lines, or finding out that other stories may may have used it as a template (such as the Lion King). So I guess it's about time I formed my own opinion of it.


 * Personal Thoughts and Questions: **
 * The way Hamlet is written is very beautiful although potentially confusing.
 * I was curious about why the ghost appears in front of the guards. Why wouldn't it just appear in front of Hamlet if it wants to talk to him? Or it could do something productive like terrorize his traitorous wife.
 * The essay I read in class also brought up an interesting question. Why did Hamlet wait to exact his revenge? Is he to weak or afraid? Maybe because it reflects a deeper side of Hamlet.

**Essential Question:** How can our perception of reality change reality? What comes to mind:

T he Guards seem to change their demeanor after realizing the ghost isn't going to harm them and is
 * We do it wrong, being so majestical, **
 * To offer it the show of violence; **
 * For it is, as the air, invulnerable, **
 * And our vain blows malicious mockery. **

unharmable itself. Instinctively at first thay are fearful, but that quickly changes to wonder and awe.