Act V Scene II

Summarize the action of the scene(s) and discuss how the scene fits into the play as a whole.

        - This scene was really crazy and it explains that their decisions will affect them. Hamlet gets asked to have a battle with Laertes and they have a duel. During this fight, they both get injured by the poisoned sword and Gertrude dies from drinking the poisoned cup. As Laertes was dying from the position, he confesses to Hamlet that Claudius was part of this act and he acts for forgiveness. By Laertes confessions, Hamlet attacks Claudius and kills him. In a minute, Hamlet is slowly dying and he tells agora too a bunch of things and this shows his fighting spirit. Then Fortinbras comes where the hectic duel was and finds them dead. Therefore, this scene fits as a whole because Laertes dies due to his quick and thoughtless actions. Claudius finally dies and Hamlet succeeds on avenging his father. However, Hamlet dies and makes Fortinbras the new king. Also he tells Horatio to make his legacy alive and do good for the country of Denmark. As Fortinbras become the new King, this messes the Chain of Being because he is not related to the Hamlet and he is not the heir. It happened so fast that Hamlet had to make a decision for the good of Denmark and that was princely for him to do. 

Provide and discuss an example of one or more of Aristotle's Principles of the Tragic Hero.

- One characteristic is Hamartia which led to a character's downfall. Hamlet fought Laertes because he was challenged and he didn't have any guilt when he killed Polonius. He changes his opinion about the situation when he was dying, he felt sorry and thought he was wrong and needed to ask for forgiveness. Hamlet was dying in the hands of his good friend Horatio and while he was dying he was telling Horatio to no commit suicide and bring his legacy to affect the future Denmark. As a prince, he still had the mind to think about the country. Also he tells Horatio to make Fortinbras the next King cause he killed Claudius. His decisions led to his downfall, but he left a legacy. One of Aristotle's Principles of a Tragic Hero is Peripeteia which is defined as a reversal of fortune. Laertes is an example of this because he made a decision that was supposed to avenge his father's death but it led to his inevitable end. 

Comment on a character’s choices. Do they seem to be leading to an inevitable end?

- Laertes made an alliance with Claudius and planned to kill Hamlet with a poisoned sword. This planned came about and it was very different to what they have thought it will be. They call out Hamlet to battle with him and Laertes has all this anger in him so he could avenge his father's death. When they were fighting, Hamlet was cut, but Hamlet got Laertes, which led to his death. As he was dying, he was asking Hamlet for forgiveness and his quick thoughtless action led to his downfall. He also confesses that Claudius was part of this, which makes the scene more hectic. Therefore, he made a decision personally and followed his emotions, which got him killed. 

Act IV Scene V

Each scene must include a “critical quote” and a detailed explanation about why the quote is significant to a character’s development, action, thematic concerns or symbolic issues. Be sure to include the line numbers and who said it.

     "To you in satisfaction; but if not, Be you content to lend your patience to us, And we shall jointly labour with your soul To give it due content." King Claudius- 11 lines

- Claudius tells Laertes to ask his close associates that if he killed Polonius, if they say  yes Claudius himself will give the throne to Laertes. Laertes easily agrees, but Claudius thinks that Hamlet will be killed after this and that's why he is making such an offer to Laertes. This gives Claudius confidence that Hamlet will no longer be in his way. Therefore, in the end they make an alliance and Laertes wants to kill Hamlet to avenge his father's death. 

Choose a character and write a COMPLETE characterization of him or her. What do others say about the character? What do the character's soliloquies reveal about him or her? How do the character's actions provide insight? Who is this character's foil and why?

- Laertes is the son of Polonius and is Ophelia's older brother. He seems like a person who is quick to action and very passionate on things he do. He was in France and was spied on by his Father and he doesn't know that. He finds out the death of his father and how disrespectful his burial was. He rushes to the castle and wants to talk to the King. By this, he is the foil of Hamlet because Laertes is quick to take action to avenge the death of his father while Hamlet's revenge has been delayed for months. Therefore, Laertes will quickly do what he thinks and needs to be done for people that needs to be punished for their crimes. Yet Hamlet is lacking with his characteristics to Kill, but he vowed to be more bloody with his thoughts. 

Discuss a reference to any of the four themes that Shakespeare is exploring in Hamlet.

- One of the four themes that Shakespeare is exploring in Hamlet is Sanity(healthy mind)  vs insanity(madness). Ophelia has gone crazy after the death of her father. She visits Gertrude, which the Queen didn't want to see her because she feels guilty that her son caused her madness. Later, Horatio let her in, before the gossipers starts making up rumors that'll affect their reputation. She sings about chaos, death, and unrequited love, mostly what she has experienced. She talks about the death of her father and Laertes knows the truth. Also she talks about her love to Hamlet and their "good times", but talks about not being married yet. Ophelia's madness makes Laertes furious that makes him rush the castle to KILL. Therefore, Ophelia couldn't fight her mentally illness and she's gone crazy. 

Act IV Scene II

-Comment on Shakespeare’s 2-3 literary devices you see, such as: symbols, metaphors/similes, antithesis, personification, allusions, or others that you may know. How is the device or devices significant to the scene? The characters? How does it add to a theme?

"Besides, to be demanded of a sponge!" 

- One literary device is a metaphor, Hamlet compares Rosencrantz to a sponge. He is insulting him that he is a Prince and he should not be controlled by a servant. Or I mean a sponge who follows all the orders of Claudius. Hamlet knows what he is and want people to know that he will not be manipulated or controlled by anyone. This scene is when Hamlet tells Rosencrantz that he is a sponge who does the King favors and when he is not needed, he will be disposed. Also he insults him, but doesn't understand that he is being insulted for being stupid. 

"The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body." 

Another literary device is Antithesis. Hamlet is saying that the King can't make up always and he will need need to obey the laws. Therefore, even if the King dies, the law stays alive because it became a principle. 

-Comment on a character’s choices. Do they seem to be leading to an inevitable end?

- R & G are just servants to the King and they don't have choices to follow except to obey the Claudius orders. Rosencrantz asks Hamlet where he hid Polonius corpse, but Hamlet does not tell them. Basically, Hamlet is pissed that they were lying to him and now asking him questions he doesn't even want to answer. The sad reality of the two is that they will never reach anywhere high and they will always be servants. Therefore, they were born servants and they will die as servants. 

-Rewrite (don’t just summarize!) a significant speech in your own words.

"Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, his Rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the King best service in the end......"               - Hamlet

- This speech is 6 lines, Hamlet is talking to Rosencrantz. In Act IV Scene II, Rosencrantz is asking Hamlet to tell where Polonius corpse is, but Hamlet denies to follow his demand. Surprisingly, Hamlet calls Rosencrantz a sponge, but he does not understand. Hamlet explains to him that Claudius has people surround him only those who can do favors for him. When those become useless, they will be thrown out and disposed like garbage. Therefore, Hamlet is telling Rosencrantz that bad things will happen if he keeps sticking with Claudius and obeying his orders. 

Act III Scene II

-Each scene must include a “critical quote” and a detailed explanation about why the quote is significant to a character’s development, action, thematic concerns or symbolic issues. Be sure to include the line numbers and who said it.

"O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven. 

It hath the primal eldest curse upon't,

A brother's murder. Pray can I not"

       Claudius is about to pray and his talking about his sins and how he killed his brother. He uses a metaphor comparing his actions like Cain who also killed his brother. His guilt overpowers his intentions to pray, but he really wants to pray for his sins. He is contemplating whether to follow his guilt or enjoy the glories he received. He also talks about that he wants to repent, but his hands are covered in blood and corruption. He thinks that praying will keep you away from sinning or forgiveness of sins. This scene is when Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius when he is praying, but he decided not to cause it will seem like he was hired to. At the end of the scene Claudius is speaking after praying. "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below." Hamlet words meant that he was unable to pray sincerely. Therefore, there's a little good in Claudius, but there was too much sins he committed that couldn't repent. 

-Discuss the relationship between two characters. The comments can be directed towards family relationships, romantic relationships, subject/sovereign relationships, political relationships, and friendships. Are they foil characters? What U.T. could these relationships support?

     The relationship between Claudius and Polonius. Claudius addresses Polonius as "dear my lord". Polonium is always trying to please the King because this would give him an advantage if the King trusted him. He is part of the scheme to get rid of Hamlet and he is helping Claudius with his plans. Polonium is the King's closest advisor, so he tells him what to do and polonius is there to make judgements whether it is correct. Therefore, their relationship will improve and hope they give us a better definition of their relationship. 

-Provide and discuss an example of one or more of Aristotle's Principles of the Tragic Hero.

  Aristotle's Principles of Tragic Hero defined as a character who makes a judgement error that inevitably leads his/her own destruction.

Hamlet has many conflicts in his life he can't possibly fix. He struggles to free himself from the rottenness in Denmark, which he calls prison and can't seem to leave the place. He struggles from all commands and manipulation because he says that no one play and tell him what to do. He struggles to free himself to whether his actions are right or wrong. Therefore, Hamler will either learn a way to fix these problems or it will lead to his destruction which will aligned with Artitotle's definition of a Tragic Hero. 

Act III Scene II

-Discuss an allusion and analyze why you think Shakespeare chooses to use it where he does.

    "O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever

The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:

Let me be cruel, not unnatural:"

- Hamlet says this line before visiting his mother. Polonius instructed Hamlet that Gertrude wants to talk to him in her room. This lines says that he doesn't want to kill his mother like Nero did with his mother. He states that he will be cruel to her but no violent. He will say things that will hurt her but not physically harm her. Also no matter what he says and how much his words threaten or shame her, his soul will never let him do any harm to her. Basically, Hamlet hates his mother with all the things he did in the past few months right after his father's death, but he doesn't mean to harm her in any way. I think Shakespeare put this line here because earlier in Act 1, the ghost tells Hamlet that he can avenge his father's death, but he shouldn't do anything to his mother because the heaven will take care of that. Therefore, this doesn't mean Gertrude is innocent for the murder of old Hamlet and we don't really know if the ghost is really Hamlet's father's ghost. 

-Summarize the action of the scene(s) and discuss how the scene fits into the play as a whole.

      Hamlet creates a play that talks about the situations that happened in the past months to confirm that Claudius killed his father by showing guilt. This scene reflects Hamlet's relationship to Horatio because he told him what the ghost said and he really cares about him and vice versa. Hamlet had strict rules to the actors that they shouldn't overreact with their gestures and how they say things. They should keep it simple without getting noticed by the King. Hamlet is eager for the King to see the play, he thinks that if Claudius don't show guilt then the ghost lied to him. The play begins with an introduction of a happy royal couple, then the King dies from poisoning and the Queen remarries not after a long time. Before this, Hamlet and Ophelia had an interaction and he has rude sexual implications towards her. We don't know if he is mad about their break up or just acting crazy as a part of his plan. During the play, the Queen promises to the King that it would be treason to her heart if she remarries. There's a line that the player queen says 

" a second time I kill my husband dead

When second husband kisses me in bed." This can mean that Hamlet thinks his mother is part of the horrible act. The King got  scared and yelled he wants the lights to be lit. This confirms that the King is guilty because he was affected by the play. This whole scene confirms that the King is guilty and Hamlet knows the truth. Therefore, Hamlet will avenge his father because he knows the truth and has evidence proving his point. 

-Discuss a reference to any of the four themes that Shakespeare is exploring in Hamlet.

      In this scene, his madness shows well I mean his act to be crazy seems to be working. As he welcomes his guests, he acts like his dad died 2 hours ago and how madly in love Gertrude to the King. Claudius is suspicious of his madness, but he is gathering evidence to prove his suspicion. 

Hamlet knows he is being spied by the King so his act of madness goes on. Also, he acts like he enjoys the play because it's depicting the death of the King and the after effects of his death. Therefore, I do know that he is acting crazy, but at some parts it seems like he is really crazy. 

Act II Scene I

- Choose a character and write a COMPLETE characterization of him or her. What do others say about the character? What do the character's soliloquies reveal about him or her? How do the character's actions provide insight? Who is this character's foil and why?

         - Polonius is Claudius assistant and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. On page 31-33, Ophelia tells her father that Hamlet is acting weird and she thinks he is heartbroken. Polonius thinks the same and they both think that he is gone mad because Ophelia broke up with him. As she tells more of her story, he tells her he is going to be discreet about it, but the King must know. This is very weird because he just said he will keep it a secret, but he just goes to the King and tells him everything she told him. This let me figure out that Polonius does not follow his words and disobeys them often. Polonius is very strict to his daughter regarding her relationships and basically her life. He spies on his son when he was the one who sent him to France in the first place. He always talk around his point and never really engages it in the beginning. He is very aware of his surroundings and always want the favor of others. For example, he spies on Laertes because he cares or he is watching his son's actions that might affect his reputation. As far I know, he is conniving and a strange old man. Polonius foil is Hamlet because they both act quickly and irrationally. Hamlet finds out that Claudius kills his father, so he is gonna avenge his father's death by acting crazy. Polonius assumes Hamlet has home mad because Ophelia broke up with him. Polonius talks way too much and never get to his point. Hamlet makes decisions and thinks through it, but not all the time. Therefore, they are so similar but yet so different to each other. 

-Pretend that you are an actor preparing to play the scene. What would your motivations be? What would you focus on? What would your delivery emphasize? Journal your specific thoughts on your ideas and preparation? 

          - I would be Ophelia and act the scene where she rushes to her father, Polonius, to tell him about Hamlet's "weird" actions. My motivations would be delivering my lines perfectly and without mistakes. I would also be thinking about if I do great in this scene I might become big and be noticed. My focus is to let the audience know I feel terrified without making them question my emotion. It would emphasize fear because Ophelia rushes to her father that Hamlet is acting a bit odd and his actions are strange. When I'm about to go on, I should breathe first, drink some water, then shoot my scene. I would think about times when I was afraid and put fear in my eyes. Also I need to remember not to overreact my lines or else it will sound fake. I should hold on to Polonius arms to show that I need support since I'm so surprised of Hamlet's actions. Therefore, I should get a full 8 hours of sleep or more, drink lots of water, and practice my lines over and over again. 

-“Talk” to one or more of the characters in the scene a question. Brow-beat them if you wish. Or support their actions or choices. Challenge them. Yell at them. Comfort them. Keep in mind their station (they are royalty) so gauge your language accordingly.

   ---" aye, my lord Hamlet. I have heard the rumors going around that you have gone mad. My lord, is that true? What's wrong? Is everything alright? My ears are here to listen to your thoughts. I am always available for you to rant to and here to listen to your problems. You know where you can find me my lord when you decide to speak your mind. I'll see you around. " 

Act I Scene V

ACT I SCENE V

-Summarize the action of the scene(s) and discuss how the scene fits into the play as a whole.

   It's when the two guards, Horatio and Marcellus wait with Hamlet for the ghost to show up and it did. The ghost motions Hamlet to follow it. They talked and ghost tells the truth about his father's death. His uncle now the king poisoned his father when he was sleeping. This was the start of Hamlet revenge against Claudius and the ghost is the caused of it. Also Marcellus mentions 

" something is rotten in the state of Denmark", that means that the government is corrupt ever since Claudius became the King and he is late night drinking not a month after the King's death. Therefore, this will affect the whole kingdom and Hamlet's revenge will reveal all the nasty lies and the corruption Claudius have done. 

   -Rewrite (don’t just summarize!) a significant speech in your own words.

GHOST: " I am thy father's spirit,

Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night,

And for the day confined to fast in fires,

Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature

5 Are burnt and purged away. But that I am forbid

To tell the secrets of my prison-house,

I could a tale unfold whose lightest word

Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood,

Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres,

 10 Thy knotted and combined locks to part

And each particular hair to stand on end,

Like quills upon the fretful porpentine:

But this eternal blazon must not be

To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list!

 15 If thou didst ever thy dear father love--"

The ghost is introducing himself as his father's ghost. He explained how he was taken away from the world and his sins still exists. He can't go to heaven unless he fixes his wrongdoings and go through purgatory, a place where souls go to be punished for their sins before going to heaven. He describes the afterlife to be a cruel place like hell and it brings terror to the living. The ghost tells Hamlet to listen to what he is saying and to do what he wants him to do. In conclusion, the ghost convinces Hamlet that he's the King's ghost, which we are not sure if he is. 

Wild card: is there something you thought of? Write it!

(my POV of a scene) 

  Hamlet makes Horatio and Marcellus promised that they know nothing of what happened that night and they will not speak of it. To swore that in the near future if Hamlet acts weird, they should act accordingly to what they have discussed. It kept me wondering that what if I was in this situation and would I have agreed that way they did, would I have swore to keep it a secret?   I think Horatio and Marcellus had many things in mind, but they were caught off guard and made a promised to Hamlet. For me, I would have thought about it first. For example, the ghost who suddenly appears and ghost of the king walks in front of the castles and shows himself to only the guards. Why can't he just walk around in the castle and show himself. The guards don't know what hamlet and the ghost talked about so they assumed it was important and they agreed to it. My decision is that, I will also agree and promise to Hamlet to keep it a secret because I know there is corruption in Denmark and Hamlet is the only person who can fix it.