Taylor+Hendricks

**F U N N Y P O S T I N G ! ! ! ! ! \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/**

 * [|E Trade Superbowl Commercial]**
 * (sorry i couldnt figure out how to post the actual video)**

=
================================================================================

“David Tennant’s Hamlet” **BLOG POST #1**

__Essential Questions:__

1~What is insanity and how do we know it is real?

2~Who has the right to judge madness?

__Essential Answers:__

1~Insanity in this version is depicted as being completely LOOPY and in no inclination of making sense. Hamlet appears to his court as a troubled soul and mind who in recent events has grown less mature and more possessed. in this story, it is hard to tell whether insanity is “Real” or not because we know that Hamlet is indeed pretending (more or less). Therefore the realness of his madness is questionable. As for Ophelia’s insanity, my opinion is that she is merely following in the footsteps of Hamlet, one whom she admires and has shared a similar tragedy.

2~It seems as though EVERYONE in this version of Hamlet feels they have the right to judge madness. The King most of all, even though he has his own scene devoted to a monologue directed towards God begging for forgiveness of his sins. The Queen sees her son as mad, yet she immediately marries her ex husbands brother and forces her only son to abandon his education abroad. So far, every character has a madness about them....meaning that No one is given the right to judge madness, since they too are mad to some extent.

__Perspective:__

Camera angles played a huge role in this version of Hamlet..... 1~act 1 scene 1, the camera plays the role of the ghost by ‘floating’ by the guards at eye level (where the king would stand). 2~act 2 scene 1, the scene is done through a black and white hidden camera which suggests that someone else may be looking in on the room. 3~act 3 scene 2, the camera films the play from behind to witness Claudius’ reaction to the changes by Hamlet depicting his fathers murder.

Sunday January 12th, 2012 **BLOG POST #2**

__Personal Reactions:__

Towards the beginning of the play, I somewhat disliked Hamlet as a character. He seemed to be overly dramatic and too frustrated with people even though they tried to help him. However, as the play unfolded, I tended to lean more on Hamlets side. I began to dislike Claudius as a character for his bluntness and how he treated Hamlet poorly. Simultaneously, Queen Gertrude annoyed me swell. She seemed like a caring mother, but it was so frustrating how she remained so optimistic throughout the play. It bothered me as it bothered Hamlet that she was able to rid her husband of her memory so quickly. On the other hand, one of my favorite characters is Horacio, simply because he stands by Hamlets side and is loyal to what he knows is right.

__Casting:__

I found it very interesting how they filled the roles for this film. I think it has a lot to say about the directors interpretation of the message that Shakespeare himself was trying to express. Shakespeare's very popular "Romeo and Juliet" was the story of two idealistic lovers from two diverse backgrounds. Though tragic, they lived in a fantasy and filled the roles perfectly as Prince Charming and the Lovely Princess. In "Hamlet" however, the roles are not filled by idealistic people. Though a good actor, David Tennant is no prince charming. And Ophelia was, well....not a gorgeous princess. (in my opinion)..... But I do think that the casting was meant to be that way. Perhaps Shakespeare wanted to make it clear that anyone can fall in love. And that not every love story has to be of two beautiful individuals, but rather, just two normal individuals.

__Passage:__

**HAMLET** > Now, mother, what's the matter? **QUEEN GERTRUDE** > Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended. **HAMLET** > Mother, you have my father much offended. **QUEEN GERTRUDE** > Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue. **HAMLET** > Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue. **QUEEN GERTRUDE** > Why, how now, Hamlet **HAMLET** > What's the matter now?

**QUEEN GERTRUDE** > Have you forgot me? **HAMLET** > No, by the rood, not so: > You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; > And--would it were not so!--you are my mother. > > __Response:__ > This passage caught my eye because it seems as though Hamlet is acting like a young child. On the contrary, his mother is completely oblivious to anything happening around her. Therefore it lead me to ask the question.....Does Hamlet have the right to act immature? Is he possibly so frustrated with his mother that he he has earned the right to act childish and/or insane?

Saturday, February 11th, 2012 **Hamlet Blog #3**

__Introduction:__ > There has been many posts and responses that I find interesting throughout this unit. So many interesting ideas and perspectives that take Shakespeare's version of Hamlet in so many directions. There is so many possibilities for what his original interpretation could have been, and who knows....maybe one of us has it exactly right. Regardless, i think it is very incredible that so many interpretations can evolve from a single piece such as Shakespeare's Hamlet. The Possibilities are ENDLESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

__Madness:__

Among the many motifs in Hamlet, Madness is especially prone to a variety of interpretations. Multiple characters are portrayed as 'mad' in their own way, and at different levels. For example:

Hamlet: Pretends to be mad to make it easier for himself to get revenge on Claudius. Claudius: Is internally torn with which is more valuable- Gods forgiveness or the Kingdom. Ophelia: In my opinion is faking her madness simply because she sees the attention that Hamlet is receiving. The Guards: See a ghost that we are not even sure is really there. Gertrude: Is completely oblivious to her scandalous endeavors.

So who's the real 'Mad' one in this play? Whether they realize it or not, it very well could be ALL of them.

__Passage:__

**KING CLAUDIUS** > Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius? **HAMLET** > At supper. **KING CLAUDIUS** > At supper! where? **HAMLET** > Not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certain > convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. Your > worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all > creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for > maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but > variable service, two dishes, but to one table: > that's the end. **KING CLAUDIUS** > Alas, alas! **HAMLET** > A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and cat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.

__Response:__ 

I enjoyed this scene in Hamlet because it really puts the situation in perspective. The King is finally put in the defensive for good, as he tries to deflect all of Hamlets witty comments. Throughout the play, I have grown more and more attached to Hamlets cause. I am one that believes that the ghost is in fact real and that Hamlet should have a right to seek revenge on his uncle. For the most part, I decided that right after Claudius admitted in his 'prayer' that he had committed fratricide. from thence forth, I have supported Hamlet in his cause every step of the way.