Performance Choices

Tim and I decided to do the conversation Hamlet has with Polonius in Act 2 Scene 2. In our presentation, I played Polonius and Tim played Hamlet. In this scene, Polonius clearly displays his lack of common sense. He clearly cannot catch on to the witticism that Hamlet is craftily presenting. In retrospect, Polonius expresses how oblivious he is towards Hamlet and is simply unaware of the situation. While presenting Polonius's character, deploying the most accurate tone is the most important aspect in nailing his character. For instance, since he has so many short phrase responses towards Hamlet, and always ends each with a "my lord", it is difficult to distinguish the true point he is trying to get across and what he actually means.

Pg. 82 #9 - Hamlet soliloquy: (I.ii.129-59)

In Hamlet’s soliloquies, the man is able to express every aspect of his desires to an unlimited extent. In this soliloquy, Hamlet illustrates his current state of actions subsequent to learning about his mother’s decision to remarry after a short mourning period. To start off, “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt”, Hamlet immediately suggests his desire to end his life now and commit suicide: “self-slaughter, O God! God!” Hamlet contemplates the fact of committing suicide numerous times, however fails to carry through with it because he’d rather not deal with the burdens that come with the afterlife. In addition, in lines 150-152: “O God! A beat, that wants discourse of reason, Would have mourn’d longer” Hamlet compares his mother to animals. He makes this claim in order to point out that animals would have mourned longer than Hamlet’s mother had did (2 months) following the death to a loved one. Furthermore, Hamlet sums up this soliloquy by stating that he must not share any of his personal information and believes with anyone: “I must hold my tongue”, Hamlet decides he needs to keep his inner turmoil to himself and realizes he is better off that way.

#7 & #14

7) Hamlet deliberately puts on his "antic disposition" solely to lessen suspicion about his future actions. First, he is aware both Horatio and Marcellus realize he has a sudden change in behavior and is acting strangely for some reason. Therefore, Hamlet needs to create a calculated strategy in order to stay true to his future actions and keep his cover clean until he avenges his father's death. In addition, Hamlet's actions are clearly deliberate, but also reflects his distress from his mother's betrayal and father's death.

14) I fully agree with what Hamlet is trying to portray in his quote "Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so". Hamlet is trying express that he is acting in a schematic sense and is extremely vigilant about what he wants to do. In addition, Hamlet is trying to hint to both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he is aware of the real conditions about their visit. He knows that they were sent to spy on him by the king and queen because of his current state of depression. In actuality, Hamlet is full of anger and is putting on a "antic disposition" only to misguide everyone from thinking he is in difficulty.

Laertes & Polonius: Hamlet Advice to Ophelia

Both Laertes and Polonius significantly object to Ophelia dating Hamlet. Firstly, Laertes believes Hamlet is still an unsophisticated individual who does see the full seriousness of a relationship yet, but solely wants to experience all the pleasure that is applicable. "But you must fear, his greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own For he himself is subject to his birth:"(1.2.16-18). In addition, Laertes expresses that because of Hamlets social ranking in society he might not be the best fit to be Ophelia's lover. He thinks since Hamlet is so high in rank, as the prince, he cannot always marry someone to his own personal liking, therefore; Ophelia is wasting her time chasing after Hamlet. Polonius, on the other hand, simply reiterates Laertes’s advice and advises Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet. Personally, I believe Laertes’s advice is much more persuasive as he actually articulates reasoning why not for Ophelia to see Hamlet.

The Legitimacy of Hamlets Ambitions

Shakespeare’s Hamlet offers the story of a young uncongenial man named Prince Hamlet who is experiencing an unfortunate death to his father, King Hamlet, by the unpardonable actions of the king’s own brother, Claudius. Shakespeare portrays Hamlet as the story’s protagonist who distinctively interacts with supporting characters in the play each in a different manner. By analyzing Shakespeare’s designed speech patterns for Hamlet one can truly see the actuality of Hamlet’s claims and differentiate the true meaning of his soliloquies as opposed to his normal verbal exchanges with characters. For instance, Hamlet’s soliloquies exemplify his authentic feelings and emotions, which would possibly put him in a great deal of turmoil if expressed among other characters. In opposition, Hamlet is much more confident in his speech patterns while engaging in conversations with other characters. He illustrates a more optimistic side, which he rarely presents in his soliloquies. Rather in Hamlet’s soliloquies he is much more open to all ideas and states whatever he feels is necessary. By examining Hamlets speech patterns one can distinguish the authenticity of his intentions and desires by analyzing the tone, types of words, and syntax, which Shakespeare utilizes to convey the true meaning of each character’s intention portrayed in the play.

T.S. Elliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

"Shall I say"                                        Line 70

"Should I"                                            Line 79

In The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, the narrator portrays his dual sides, one that is rather social and easy going, as opposed to his highly dubious side. Author T.S. Elliot utilizes short two to three word phrases such as "Shall I Say" and "Should I" to demonstrate is indecisive personality. "Prufrock" proclaimed all of his insecurities by the tone in his short word phrases leading up to his bold statements. However, "Prufrock" clearly exhibits his indecisiveness by his constant uncertainty in himself. He constantly puts himself down negatively and never thinks the best of himself, as well as expressing his very self-conscious  nature. In addition, he is persistently unable to live up to the bold statements which he arrogantly makes. 

"To His Coy Mistress": Mini-Essay

Andrew Marvell divides his poem To His Coy Mistress into three separate stanzas, each consisting of a different phase in a young man’s desire to be with his mistress in a timeless world. Marvell categorizes the first stanza as the young couple’s ideal world of timeless love where they can cherish every moment together. He clearly states the unrealistic features of this world by his heavy hyperbolic statements: “I would love you ten years before the flood”, Marvell tries to articulate the fact that the man would love his mistress for as long as he wishes, until time runs out and he possibly couldn’t anymore. However, Marvell then has a tonal shift leading into the second stanza illustrating the unlikely nature of the couple’s timeless dream world. He exemplifies the impurities of the realistic world, only weakening the couple’s ambitions towards their desires. The man realizes in the real world there is a time limit for how long the couple’s love can last. Therefore, the young man understands with this burden of time, he must cherish every moment he has with his mistress. Marvell classifies the man’s hope for his love to last with his mistress in the theme “carpe diem”, meaning seize the day. Marvell uses these different schemes for stanzas to characterize the young man’s realization of how short life is. Consequently, appreciating every aspect of live is essential to the young man because all he wants to do is be with his mistress. 

Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress"

“My vegetable love should grow

Vaster than empires, and more slow”

The author uses hyperbole in these lines to illustrate the enormous amount of love he holds for his “mistress”. He compares his love to a vegetable in hope for the love shared between the couple to prosper and last forever. He makes the connection of a vegetables blossom during its existence to the persistent love between the couple to “grow” and just flourish overtime. Clearly they cannot love each other “vaster” than empires, rather the author makes this statement to emphasize the love they hold for each other.