Block
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Post by Block on Oct 12, 2011 17:01:42 GMT -5
A place to reflect on Hamlet Reading.
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Block
New Member
Posts: 5
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Post by Block on Oct 12, 2011 17:09:06 GMT -5
One thing I've noticed about William Shakespeare's style of writing often involves a large amount of abbreviations on common words. This causes me a bit of confusion usually when I see a word that would normally have a "v" in it. Thankfully with the foot notes the other unknown words are usually able to be pieced together. I almost feel that a translation of the work into modern-time English and grammar might improve my understanding of the work as a whole.
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Post by derekdowney on Oct 12, 2011 17:23:53 GMT -5
It is very interesting to observe the double standard that seems to be in place for women in this society. Hamlet's Father states "Taint not thy mind, nor let they soul contrive against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven..." (36). However Hamlet sr. tells Hamlet to kill Claudius but leave his conniving wife to God's judgement. Claudius and Gertrude are both guilty of murder so its interesting that the man killed believes one should pay while the other shouldn't.
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Post by dollface on Oct 12, 2011 20:55:46 GMT -5
Dialogue within this play is very important to the action and portrayal of the characters. In my opinion, there are few phrases that so perfectly describe the play as when Marcellus says "something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (p. 32 line 90). With this simple line, the whole of the play is summed up.
This line foreshadows the facade many of the characters have, for example, the King of Denmark. In this scene he is both looked upon as a good man with kind words to say of the late king (p. 10-11 lines 1-35), and a murdered when the ghost reveals him to be his killer.
Another example is with the Hamlet character. Hamlet is a sensitive, thoughtful young man who is fighting an inner battle about whether to forgive his mother although he is not the type to look for revenge. Though, when he meets the ghost, he is inspired to go after his father’s murderer. Because of the interference of the ghost, he is thinking a different way.
When Marcellus utters those words to Horatio, he could not have known how well they would apply to the events about to unfold yet he so perfectly matched them. Something is definitely afoot and I cannot wait to read further to discover how else this statement could prove true!
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Post by maribarraza on Oct 12, 2011 20:55:52 GMT -5
When I started reading is play, I thought that Hamlet was the one who had killed his father in order to get the throne. However later on the ghost states "the serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown." (P34) Hamlet responds by asking "My Uncle?'" (P34) "Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast..." responds Hamlet Sr. on page thirty four. I find it strange that his mother would marry right away not even waiting two full months. It would seem that his uncle Claudius planned it all out so he could be King of Denmark and is only using Gertrude because she is overall vulnerable.
With the rest of Hamlet Sr. speech on page thirty five it gets you thinking if him and his brother never really got along or if he was nice to him in order to kill and take his spot later on. His way of explaining it to Hamlet makes it seem that his considers the marriage to be all his brothers fault.
-Why wouldn't Hamlet be the one taking the throne?
-How closely did they look for the murderer?
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Post by irubio on Oct 13, 2011 10:50:25 GMT -5
I was surprised when Laertes was talking to Ophelia about Hamlet. I would of thought that Laertes would want Ophelia to be with Hamlet. If she married him she would be Princess of Denmark. Which would give her a position of power. Then since she is so easily persuaded and used, her brother can use that to his own advantage.So it made wonder whether he is just being a good brother or maybe he has some other hidden intentions.
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Block
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Post by Block on Oct 13, 2011 11:36:59 GMT -5
It is very interesting to observe the double standard that seems to be in place for women in this society. I did not notice this myself but looking back can see a very distinct separation between the men and the women of the First Act. In the first dialogue between Ophelia and Laertes, Ophelia is advised against seeing Hamlet and despite Laertes not knowing anything about the relationship she follows his advice. Later when her Father, Polonius, says Polonius: "I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth Have you so slander any moment of leisure As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to't, I charge you. Come your ways." Ophelia: "I shall obey, my lord." She does not even think for herself in these choices but bends to the will of her male relatives. |
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Post by Mrs. Steimer on Oct 13, 2011 11:37:17 GMT -5
Andrew Block,
I'm glad the footnotes are helping you. Eventually you will et used to the language and won't need to read all of them in order to understand the meaning of the dialogue. Keep up the reading!
Mrs. Steimer
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Post by Mrs. Steimer on Oct 13, 2011 11:40:42 GMT -5
Derek,
Great point about double standards already in this play. Through Polonius' and Claudius' behavior, we can certainly see how so much of what they say and do is actually a facade. I wonder what you mean by saying that Claudius and Gertrude are both guilty of murder. Claudius is the guilty person. I don't think Gertrude has any idea of what happens. Maybe she is guilty of ignorance?
Mrs. Steimer
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