Jan 28 Class Summary

At first we discussed lingering questions from Act I.
-The ghost was sent to hell because he did not receive his last rights
-Hamlets two restrictions on his mission were to not go insane and to not take vengeance on his mother. He wanted god to judge his mother because she could repent and be saved and that Claudius took advantage of the innate weakness in women(deceptive and unfaithful-- Decedents of Eve)

Act II: Scene 1
Renaldo was sent to spy on Laertes showing that Polonius is overconcerned with his reputation. Renaldo is supposed to spread rumors to Laertes' friends thus confirming or rejecting what his father thought he was like. His cover if he was caught was to give money to Laertes saying he was there on behalf of his father.

In the second half, we discussed the part of the scene with Hamlet and Ophelia; acting out in class how the two behaved. Hamlet convinced Ophelia that his madness was from love, which she then told her father, and the father the king. This is a remarkably ingenious plan by Hamlet.

The homework is to read Act II: Scene II, and to wear the table at all times.

Ryan C.