Zoe+Birt

=Something Funny :) = media type="youtube" key="FzRH3iTQPrk" width="425" height="350" 

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= ="Ugdanden" = =Hamlet Act, Scene : = Zoe Birt February 20, 2012

=Essential Question: How can our perception of reality change reality? =

Of course, everyone dies. It's a tragedy, what did you expect? It is interesting to consider each of the character's motives for killing others and their actions leading up to their deaths. Claudius wanted to kill Hamlet (and since his plot to send him to England- which ended up sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths- didn't work, he had to turn to the dual), but the poisoned drink and envenomed sword ironically it what killed him as well. Gertrude, whether she knew the drink was poisoned or not, killed herself by drinking the wine, but her life was on a downward spiral anyways (sleeping with someone who murdered your past mate couldn't have been very pleasant, and her son, the only one close to her that could offer her love, as condemning her), so it was only a matter of time before she went crazy or something anyways. Ophelia, although her death wasn't in the final scene, is interesting because of the debate of whether or not it was suicide. Personally, I do believe it was. Laertes was killed by his own poisoned weapon. He says it himself: he was justly killed, he was caught it his own trap. Hamlet died, of course, because everyone was out to kill him and there was no escape, but maybe he really didn't want an escape (just a thought- even though earlier he says that the sufferings of this life are probably better than what waits after death).

This play really is all about vengeance. Hamlet was trying to avenge his father. Fortinbras was trying to avenge his father. Laertes was trying to avenge his father and sister. Essentially, because everyone thinks everyone else is to blame and doesn't grow up and act more mature about past matters, everyone dies. They thought everyone else was to blame, and that really was everyone's downfall.

//It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain;// //No medicine in the world can do thee good;// //In thee there is not a half an hour of life;// //The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,// //unhated ad envenom'd. The foul practice// //Hath turn'd itself on me; lo! here I lie,// //Never to rise again. Thy mother is poison'd.// //I can no more. The king, the king's to blame.//

Laertes pretty much lays it out. He reveals that he was in on the plot, in order to make sure the king really pays the price this time, calling for blame to be put on the king. It's because of Laertes' surrender to Hamlet here that they later exchange forgiveness.

And then, you guessed it, everyone dies! ...except Horatio.



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= ="The Confusion of Insanity" = =Hamlet Act 2, Scene 2 and Act 3, Scene 1: = Zoe Birt February 8, 2012

=Essential Question: How can our perception of reality change reality? =



So pretty much, Polonius thinks that Hamlet is crazy because Ophelia obeyed his request to deny him. Polonius goes to Claudius and communicates his thoughts about Hamlet's insanity (and let's keep in mind that Hamlet told Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he's only crazy half the time, possibly because it's truly part of his scheme or possibly because of Ophelia or even a combination of the two, but no one else understands that Hamlet knows he's crazy). They decide to go spy on him, seeking answers. Can this play get any more confusing and twisted? Oh wait, yeah, it can, and it will. Great.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Personally, I think it's all an act at this point. I don't think he's legitimately insane, at least not yet. Yeah, his uncle murdered his father, stole his mother and his crown, and the only person to whom which he decided to show any love has now cut him off, but I don't think he's been driven mad yet.

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<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In regards to the essential question, it's really peculiar here because it seems like everyone believes something different, but they all seem to think they know what's really happening. Everyone seems to know a different part of the truth, but no one really has it put all together, which becomes part of the audience's job, which, of course, is why there are so many different ways to interpret what is actually happening.

//I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.//

Here, Hamlet admits that he's only mad half the time (under unknown motives- anyone have any unique ideas? :)). I particularly like the images that Hamlet with the wind and then the hawk and the handsaw (not to mention the alliteration, it's pretty rad).

Can't wait for the rest of the presentations. They are pretty enjoyable.

=<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">"The Ghastly Ghost" = =<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Hamlet Act 1, Scene 5: = <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Zoe Birt <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">February 5, 2012

=<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Essential Question: How can our perception of reality change reality? =



This week, on Friday, we viewed the different images and interpretations of the portrayal of the ghost of King Hamlet. I found it very interesting how different some of the pictures are. Some portrayed the ghost of an eerie spirit, some as a real man. Some portrayed Hamlet as fearful, entranced, flustered, prompted, distressed, etc. When we read it in class, I pictured the ghost as a translucent spirit that could be recognized, but definitely not solid flesh. And in my book, Hamlet was kind of fearful of the spirit, but certainly eager to hear what his father could possibly be wanting to tell him.

It's curious to consider whether the interpretations I saw affected how I portrayed them in head. Somebody else's view of reality has the potential to change how other people perceive it.

//'Tis given out, that sleeping in mine orchard,// //A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark// //Is by a forged process of my death// //Rankly abus'd; but know, thou noble youth,// //The serpent that did sting thy father's life// //Now wears his crown.//

I really like the imagery in the ghost's message, particularly the metaphor of Claudius being a serpent. And the curious, Old English language that Shakespeare winds in the most engrossing way creates the riddle that enlightens Hamlet and the audience to how the king died and who is responsible. Of course, this event gives way to the rest of the play.

Like I see most people saying, the play is getting better, and I am excited to see where it goes from here. :)

=<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">"It is not, nor it cannot come to good" = =<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Hamlet Act 1, Scene 2: = <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Zoe Birt <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">January 29, 2012

=<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Essential Question: How can our perception of reality change reality? =

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Our perception of reality will never be able to change reality. However, our perception of reality and how we relate how we perceive reality to others can change how others perceive reality, which can change the idea of reality that our culture has.

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<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In this scene, Claudius speaks to the people of Denmark as the new king. He addresses them with authority and assurance, essentially telling them that everyone is grieving, but it's time to move past his brother's death. Because he approaches the court with affirmation and optimism (revealing the sentiments of reality as he perceives it), he influences how his people view the reality of past events.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Nor customary suits of solemn black,// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//For they are actions that a man might play.// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//But I have that within which passeth show,// <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//These but the trappings and the suits of woe.//

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande',Arial,sans-serif;"> Relating back to the essential question, Hamlet's saying how people perceive him and what's actually going on are different. The repetition of all that doesn't describe his true feelings emphasizes that difference. And of course, we have to expect the use of the rhyming couplet every no and again. It is Shakespeare, after all. :) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I like this passage because it contrasts with the feelings of Claudius. I don't know about you, but it made me ponder //why// Claudius didn't have similar emotions, a very subtle foreshadowing as to what's to be revealed in a few short scenes.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I'm not sure if that makes sense, but that's what I'm going with. :)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is my page! :)