Response to Lantern Theater performance of Hamlet

About a week ago we went to see the Lantern Theaters performance of Hamlet. As a person who grew up in the theater i was excited to see how the actors in this theater production would portrayed this play. I had never seen a production of Hamlet before, aside from a movie interpretation. When we first walked in the theater I was a bit concerned about the size and the odd set up of the set. After the play had started my feelings about the set changed, I thought it was very unique and it worked well with the play. Although the play was very good and very well portrayed I prefer to read the play myself so i can use my own imagination.

Hamlet act 2

In act two of Hamlet we continue to see more of a change in Hamlets personality, he’s beginning to become more and more focused on the demise of Claudius. He is also becoming distracted by love and selfishness. Also in act two I learned a lot about the character of Claudius. In act two we see that King Claudius's is more concerned with the well being and motives of Hamlet more that he is concerned with his own country. Even with Fortinbras on his tail he still manages to ignore all major conflicts and duties, dealing with things that could determine the countries future. Although incomparable to the play that takes place in Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer’s Night Dream", in act two we again see how Shakespeare uses a “play with in a play”. However the play that takes place in Hamlet has a motive behind it. Hamlet is presenting this play to put the word out to Claudius that he is aware of his father’s tragic death. He is also hoping to bring the tragic and ugly truth to his mother’s attention. I respect Hamlets creative prevention of a confrontation. He is aware that if he were to just come out with the truth it would cause much more of a crisis then he would prefer. All I feel that I learned a lot more about the story and the characters in act two, rather then in the previous act. Also the ending of the act left me excited to see what would develop in the following act.

Hamlet act 1

In act one of Shakespeare’s Hamlet we meet Hamlet and learn of the recently strange changes in his life. Hamlet’s father, the late King Hamlet, recently passed away leaving an empty thrown that has now been filled by Hamlets Uncle, now King Claudius. From this act I can already foresee Claudius having a very treacherous personality. I say this because naturally Hamlet is very distraught over the death of his father and so he shows his respects by mourning and wearing all black. Obviously Claudius isn’t too affected by the death of his brother because he asks why “the clouds still hang upon him”, as though it is strange that Hamlet is still upset. Hamlet’s excessive mourning also represents a strong, close relationship with his father. My feelings on Hamlets mother, Queen Gertrude, are also quite odd. To see how a woman who has just lost he husband can be remarried to his very own brother just weeks later. Also the Queen seems to abide by Claudius’ feelings on Hamlets mourning. It is quite puzzling to me how she fails to give any sympathy for her son or better yet, herself. The lack of sorrow and failure to sympathize with her son prove to me that Queen Gertrude is a very selfish woman. We also learn in this act that Hamlet will no longer be attending the Wittenberg school anymore. In my opinion going back to his school with his friends would do Hamlet more good then staying in the castle resenting his mother and uncle. In a monologue Hamlet describes his desire to die and grieves over his father’s death. I hope to learn more in the act to come and become more intrigued by the dramatics of this play.

Coleridge and Shelley - Imagination and Narrative Voice

1) Imagination is celebrated in Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan”. From the very start of the poem Coleridge is very descriptive in the surroundings and actions taking place in the poem. Coleridge, in my opinion, is writing for the reader’s imagination. I enjoyed this poem because it was so easy for me to picture the entire poem as a visual in my head.

2) In Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias” I hear three speakers, the narrator; the traveler; and Ozymandias. I as a listener consider Ozymandias writing on the pedestal as him speaking because it is his words. After rereading the poem the voice of the traveler tells me that all that remains of the statue of Ozymandias is his legs. The voice of the narrator tells me that the ruins of the statue are a very depressing scene. Also the words on the pedestal tell me that Ozymandias was a very powerful man and a great leader.

William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" - Poetry and Social Change

1)   I would agree with the editors of the textbook that Blake’s poetry had the power t enact social change by appealing to the imagination of the reader.  In Blake’s poem “The Chimney Sweeper” from the songs of innocence he touches the reader with the boy’s sad story but leaves a happier ending in that you know the boy will be okay.  In Blake’s poem “The Chimney Sweeper” from the sons of experience the boy is very blunt.  For him he has accepted life as it is, although it is not the life he would choose he has learned to live with it.  I think that in both poems Blake’s approach is to bring a connection with the reader sympathizing with these boys.  Although the boy in the songs of experience isn’t presented to be as sad as the boy in the songs of innocence they are both very similar, and for both I felt sympathy as a reader.  I felt the poems could enact social change because, for me, after reading these poems I wanted to help these boys and all children in their position.

 

2)   I feel that the editors might have included the Parliament transcript as a primary source document so that the reader could have some historical background on the child labor laws back when these poems were written.  By showing the harsh reality of these times and laws, this document is a good way to help the readers be more intuned with the characters feelings in the moment of the poem.   

Jonathan Swift Teacher Prep Work

a)    For our small teacher group my group and I had one main question focusing our whole lesson.  Our main question was, from the human interactions between Gulliver and he Lilliputians what is the author trying to teach us?  We focused our lesson from there on about human instinct.  Of course will never know the exact answers to our question or know exactly why this story was write but as a group we feel it teaches the lesson “think before you act”.  When Gulliver first meet the Lilliputians and they attacked him and tied him down, Gulliver could have easily broke free, being that he was much larger then the people of Lilliput.  Instead he thought about the reproductions of his actions and he decided to show them respect.  By showing them respect he not only gained his freedom but he was given the royal treatment by the Lilliputians, it was as if he were their king.

I was unable to respond to part b and c of this post because I was out for the rest of that week.  

Nineteen Eighty-Four Final Writing Assignment

In 1984, O’Brien explains how that due to failure in self-respect and discipline, Winston went the opposite way of which the party had acted previously.  However, compared to others, Winston was the only person who was doing the right thing in his heart and mind.  He was doing what he himself believed was right rather can conforming to what the party was trying to force all of the others to do and believe.  However, by going against what the party, he was penalized for doing what he had faith in.  By revealing to untrustworthy people how he really felt, he incriminated himself and left a trail of evidence for the party to easily uncover.  However, due to his wise point of view, Winston did was he believed in which is both respectable and noble.  Although he may be initially seen as stubborn, he was going with his own instincts and being an individual.  Winston was told, “reality is what is in the humans’ mind, and not in the individuals’ mind.”  However, for Winston reality to him was extremely different from how others felt about it and viewed it.  By seeing how the party was negatively affecting everybody else, he realized what they were doing was wrong, and he was not going to be just another follower to keep the peace.  Winston was going to do what he believed in which is really something to look up to.  He was doing what he knew and listening to his soul and not the ridiculous rules and beliefs that the party was creating to make society better for them.  Despite the fact that O’Brien attempted numerous times to let Winston know that the party was correct in their actions, he went against them anyway, letting his conscience be his guide.  However, he was brainwashed time and time again causing himself to stop several times and wonder if what he was doing was the correct course to take.  When reflecting on the war at hand, he had came to the obvious conclusion that despite what the party led the people to believe, they were at war for complete different reasons.  By keeping this in mind, Winston did not let the party control his thoughts and understandings.  When it came to living life without any life-threatening circumstances, Winston, despite his full belief in his inner-person, went along with the party’s demands just to stay alive.  By standing behind the party and doing as they say, he will not stand out as an outsider or different.  By following the rules, for now, Winston will remain the same as everyone else and no problems will arise.  However, a person with such individuality can only keep quiet and conform to “keep the peace” for a limited amount of time before he finally snaps and can no longer pretend.