We first started off with taking a survey on the Dance-a-thon. It was a 10 question survey on what we thought would be good idea's for the dance-a-thon. After we completed it we handed it in. After that we took last calls for act III Scene IV. There were no final questions to be asked. We proceeded on with a review layout for the test. It will all be done on Act III. There will be 10 questions worth 10 points a peice. All the questions will be based on quotes. We will have to name the speaker,whom spoken to, and the significance of the quote. The test will take place next friday. Finally we started to read Act IV and completed to the start of Scene II.
-Max Paluszynski
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Class Blog Entry
Hey everyone! We made it through one whole cycle! Here is what we talked about today...
- We got our Act III Scene ii quizzes back.
- We continued our discussion on Act III Scene iv
- We got our Act III Scene ii quizzes back.
- We continued our discussion on Act III Scene iv
- Is Hamlet asking his mother not to sleep with Claudius? - Yes he is but he is saying it in a weird way. Gertrude asks what should she do and Hamlet responds with don't do what I am telling you to do. There are two main requests he has, (1) Don't let the king tempt Gertrude and to stay clear of him (the longer you stay away from him the easier it gets) and (2) Don't tell anyone especially Claudius about the truth of his "madness". Hamlet wants Gertrude to go to Heaven and he wants to save her soul but she has to repent.
- Is Hamlet giving Gertrude a choice? - Yes, he is asking is she going to be the Queen, who is loyal to Claudius, or his Mother, who is loyal to Hamlet. So far throughout the play, she has been acting like the Queen, not his Mother. Her response is that she will be loyal to Hamlet but there is a high possibility that she could be lying to get out of the situation.
- "...Hoist with his own petard..." - it means to kill with one's own weapon. This is what Hamlet is planning on doing to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in England or on the way to England since they are taking Hamlet there. Polonius has already been killed by his own weapon by spying and being in the wrong place in the wrong time. Claudius hasn't told R & G that Hamlet is not supposed to be coming back. Right now Claudius is more concerned with his self-preservation than what is best for the kingdom.
- What has Polonius achieved in death? - He has finally shut-up and he now can keep secrets since he can't tell anyone them because he is dead.
- Connection: 3 young men with dead fathers. Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras
- Side note: Claudius must be in his 50s or 60s
- Going into Act IV...we are about to experience a government cover-up!
Last Questions tomorrow for Act III and talk of the test
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday 2/27
First off today in class we finished up Act 3 Section 3 questions
-we talked about how Claudius's guilt is an example of human nature
We then began talking about Act 3 Scene 4
-we talked about how Hamlet wants Gertrude to see the nature of her own soul, but she interprets that as Hamlet is going to kill her
-explained how a mirror is a reflection of your soul and this part of the play reflects back onto the audience as in they see their own nature
-we talked about how Hamlet uses the medallions to Gertrude what she stands for (Hamlets is God, Gertrude's is a moldy ear)
-explained how Hamlet tells Gertrude she cannot be in love because she is too old and the passion is gone (the blood is tame)
-discussed how Gertrude thinks Hamlet is insane because he sees a ghost no one else sees, this means a couple of things, Hamlet is either truly insane because he sees this, and oh yeah he does kill Polonious, or that the ghost is a reflection of his conscience reminding him not to hurt his mother
-explained how Hamlet really wants his mom to repent and be saved
-discussed how Polonious screams when he thinks Hamlet is going to kill Gertrude which causes Hamlet to think it is Claudious and stab blindly, killing Polonious, and then how Hamlet knows he will pay for what hes done
-Finally we talked about how Hamlet tells Gertrude his pulse is normal so his passions aren't unbalanced so he isn't insane and he tells her that she is blaming others like him for her guilt about what has happened.
-Doug Z.
-we talked about how Claudius's guilt is an example of human nature
We then began talking about Act 3 Scene 4
-we talked about how Hamlet wants Gertrude to see the nature of her own soul, but she interprets that as Hamlet is going to kill her
-explained how a mirror is a reflection of your soul and this part of the play reflects back onto the audience as in they see their own nature
-we talked about how Hamlet uses the medallions to Gertrude what she stands for (Hamlets is God, Gertrude's is a moldy ear)
-explained how Hamlet tells Gertrude she cannot be in love because she is too old and the passion is gone (the blood is tame)
-discussed how Gertrude thinks Hamlet is insane because he sees a ghost no one else sees, this means a couple of things, Hamlet is either truly insane because he sees this, and oh yeah he does kill Polonious, or that the ghost is a reflection of his conscience reminding him not to hurt his mother
-explained how Hamlet really wants his mom to repent and be saved
-discussed how Polonious screams when he thinks Hamlet is going to kill Gertrude which causes Hamlet to think it is Claudious and stab blindly, killing Polonious, and then how Hamlet knows he will pay for what hes done
-Finally we talked about how Hamlet tells Gertrude his pulse is normal so his passions aren't unbalanced so he isn't insane and he tells her that she is blaming others like him for her guilt about what has happened.
-Doug Z.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
February 20, 2008
1. Handed in our movie analysis papers
2. Laz talked about "I" in papers and whether or not to use it. Usually only people with letters after their names can because they are considered important. But supposevly is slowly changing.
3. Anyone doing the extra credit assignment: those who reflected on the idea on the original assignment scored the highest. So reflecting is a good idea.
4. Talked about the point of drama, which is a way to show what life is like, representations of ourselves
5. We finished class talking about Hamlet act 3 scene 2. Specific points that were made were:
2. Laz talked about "I" in papers and whether or not to use it. Usually only people with letters after their names can because they are considered important. But supposevly is slowly changing.
3. Anyone doing the extra credit assignment: those who reflected on the idea on the original assignment scored the highest. So reflecting is a good idea.
4. Talked about the point of drama, which is a way to show what life is like, representations of ourselves
5. We finished class talking about Hamlet act 3 scene 2. Specific points that were made were:
- Horatio's response to Macbeth was bleak because Hamlet asked a rhetorical question regarding Claudious's reaction to the play, because Hamlet has already made up his mind.
- Horatio's job was to watch every reaction that the king made, Horatio is chosen because Hamlet trusts him
- Hamlet really respects and admires Horatio because he is consistant. He doesn't change based on fortune.( true to himself)
- Besides feeling guilty for his actions Claudious might also have left because he was offended that the players would show the death of a king on stage.
-Matt R
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
2/19/08 Class Discussion
1) We got back our tables with the grades (Laz didn't hit anyone). Unfortunately we were bested by the other class on the # of quotes. Their max was 72 quotes. People who wanted to are able to go for extra credit by wearing their tables for about a month. They have to write quotes just like before and remember to reflect on those quotes also. Same rules apply, if you're seen without your tables you're out of the game.
2)We discussed the upcoming dance marathon. A couple of other local schools are also having dance marathons but only for 6 hours, why so short? And apparently Penn State has a 48 hour marathon that makes people hallucinate and run. Laz is sending out spies for the other local marathons, but extra credit is not included. Sorry!
3)Last call for III.i questions. A few things that came up:
Claudius is not nesscessarily trying to justify his crimes, but his is feeling guilty about them.
"Get thee to a nunnery!" means go to a convent or a brothel, but either way don't get married.
Hamlet says that women are not trustworthy so marriage is then not trustworthy either. He also says that one marriage in perticular is not going to last.
Polonius is able to draw the conclusion at the end that Hamlet is not madly in love with Ophelia. He says that since this plan did not work, he will ask Gertrude to talk to Hamlet and spy on them.
4)Laz started talking about scene 2.
5)Hamlet Soliloquy papers due tomorrow. 3-4 pages still, not 5.
~Jess O.
2)We discussed the upcoming dance marathon. A couple of other local schools are also having dance marathons but only for 6 hours, why so short? And apparently Penn State has a 48 hour marathon that makes people hallucinate and run. Laz is sending out spies for the other local marathons, but extra credit is not included. Sorry!
3)Last call for III.i questions. A few things that came up:
Claudius is not nesscessarily trying to justify his crimes, but his is feeling guilty about them.
"Get thee to a nunnery!" means go to a convent or a brothel, but either way don't get married.
Hamlet says that women are not trustworthy so marriage is then not trustworthy either. He also says that one marriage in perticular is not going to last.
Polonius is able to draw the conclusion at the end that Hamlet is not madly in love with Ophelia. He says that since this plan did not work, he will ask Gertrude to talk to Hamlet and spy on them.
4)Laz started talking about scene 2.
5)Hamlet Soliloquy papers due tomorrow. 3-4 pages still, not 5.
~Jess O.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Valentine's Day Class Discussion
We watched two renditions of the "to be or not to be" speech.
1) Mel Gibson in Franco Zeffirelli's version: In this version Hamlet said the soliloquoy after he encountered Ophelia and fought with her. This is a complete turn around of the text. Hamlet says it in the crypt looking at graves. In the fight with Ophelia he sees Claudius and polonuis hide and then approaches Ophelia. He does not seem too affectionate towards Ophelia but is enraged when she tries to return the gifts.
2) Branaw version:
All text is completely said and in the correct order. Though the "to be or not to be" soliloquoy is said in front of a two way mirror so Claudius and Polonius hear the whole thing. Then Hamlet sees Ophelia and they are very affectionate, but then Hamlet is very abusive with Ophelia.
Brittany M.
1) Mel Gibson in Franco Zeffirelli's version: In this version Hamlet said the soliloquoy after he encountered Ophelia and fought with her. This is a complete turn around of the text. Hamlet says it in the crypt looking at graves. In the fight with Ophelia he sees Claudius and polonuis hide and then approaches Ophelia. He does not seem too affectionate towards Ophelia but is enraged when she tries to return the gifts.
2) Branaw version:
All text is completely said and in the correct order. Though the "to be or not to be" soliloquoy is said in front of a two way mirror so Claudius and Polonius hear the whole thing. Then Hamlet sees Ophelia and they are very affectionate, but then Hamlet is very abusive with Ophelia.
Brittany M.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Class Discussion February 13, 2008
Today in class, we continued to discuss Act III, Hamlet's soliloquy. In the soliloquy, Hamlet went from his fear of the uncertainty of death to all the choices in life.
- The idea that thinking about things makes us not want to do things. We get all excited about doing something, but then when we think about the consequences, we do not want to do it anymore. It is the fear of making a bad decision, so it is better not to choose at all.
- In the soliloquy, Hamlet mention about suicide for the second time. Is he suicidal? Hamlet is unsure of what death may bring, and he fears possible damnation of suicide. Hamlet says that not only does each living person discover death for himself or herself, but also that no one can return from the dead to describe death. He says that suicide is the one way to find out, but he fears death might even be worse than all the sufferings in life.
Lu
- The idea that thinking about things makes us not want to do things. We get all excited about doing something, but then when we think about the consequences, we do not want to do it anymore. It is the fear of making a bad decision, so it is better not to choose at all.
- In the soliloquy, Hamlet mention about suicide for the second time. Is he suicidal? Hamlet is unsure of what death may bring, and he fears possible damnation of suicide. Hamlet says that not only does each living person discover death for himself or herself, but also that no one can return from the dead to describe death. He says that suicide is the one way to find out, but he fears death might even be worse than all the sufferings in life.
Lu
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Class 2-12-08
1. He first made us look through our notebooks and write on a piece of paper which one we liked the most. Then he put them in the middle of the class and we all took one and he collected the notebooks. Then he explained the paper for the notebooks which is due on Thursday. We have to react to the quote that we received and we have to write if we agree with it or not, or if we like it. You can write if you understand it or don't understand it, if we respect it or don't respect it. The paper has to be 1-2 pages long, double spaced, with a intro, body and a conclusion.
2. He then told us that after we get the notebooks back we can wear them until we are done with Hamlet for extra credit, and there will be a paper at the end, and the same rules apply for it.
3. We started to talk about Hamlet act. 3 scene 1. We talked about when Claudius has his aside in lines 55-60. Mr. Lazarow said it has been interpreted as a confession for something and it could be a confession for the murder, but it is not made sure, and it just acts as a tension builder for the reader and makes them keep thinking. Also when he talks about the Harlot’s cheek, he just meant that you can change the outward appearance of someone but it doesn't change who they are on the inside and they still are bad. They also had to put make up on whores back then because they had syphilis.
4. When then talked about Hamlets "To be or not to be" speech. And it really is about weather or not he should kill himself or not. He says you can either suffer through life and just deal with it or you can try to fight it, but either way you do die. He then compares death with sleeping but you just don't wake up, and then he starts to think that he doesn't want to die anymore because he is unsure of what will happen to him after death and he is to afraid of it.
Dylan Ketchel
2. He then told us that after we get the notebooks back we can wear them until we are done with Hamlet for extra credit, and there will be a paper at the end, and the same rules apply for it.
3. We started to talk about Hamlet act. 3 scene 1. We talked about when Claudius has his aside in lines 55-60. Mr. Lazarow said it has been interpreted as a confession for something and it could be a confession for the murder, but it is not made sure, and it just acts as a tension builder for the reader and makes them keep thinking. Also when he talks about the Harlot’s cheek, he just meant that you can change the outward appearance of someone but it doesn't change who they are on the inside and they still are bad. They also had to put make up on whores back then because they had syphilis.
4. When then talked about Hamlets "To be or not to be" speech. And it really is about weather or not he should kill himself or not. He says you can either suffer through life and just deal with it or you can try to fight it, but either way you do die. He then compares death with sleeping but you just don't wake up, and then he starts to think that he doesn't want to die anymore because he is unsure of what will happen to him after death and he is to afraid of it.
Dylan Ketchel
Monday, February 11, 2008
class feb. 11th
1. first we got our midterms back. there was a 20 point (10%) curve. before the curve there were 0 As, 3 Bs, 6 Cs, 3 Ds, and 7 E/Fs. After the curve there were 3 As, 6 Bs, 3 Cs, 4 Ds, and 3 E/Fs. any questions on it can be asked during independent time.
2. tomorrow's the last day for notebooks, they will be turned in and the next part will be assigned. there's no specific number for how many is appropriate but to shoot for more than 14.
3. we talked more about the paper due february 20th. some things he clarified: it should compare 2 performances, bringing in a third is strongly not recommended. it should be double spaced, about 12 point font with a standard font and margins. the audience we're writing for is "reasonably adept, have seen films and understand text."
4. we talked about hamlet for the remainder of the period. some important points:
- at the end of Act II, Hamlet's excited about putting on the play and finding out
the truth
- the "to be or not to be" soliloquy is his first lines in the third act which is
weird because he's talking about suicide. possibly bipolar?
- people were then picked to read from Act III scene i.
- claudius says spying on hamlet can be rationalized because trying to help him
- we finished our discussion talking about sugar coating, rationalizing, and the
theme of appearance vs. reality
5. the homework is to read Act III scene i thoroughly, finish with notebooks, and to be working on the papers.
meg k
2. tomorrow's the last day for notebooks, they will be turned in and the next part will be assigned. there's no specific number for how many is appropriate but to shoot for more than 14.
3. we talked more about the paper due february 20th. some things he clarified: it should compare 2 performances, bringing in a third is strongly not recommended. it should be double spaced, about 12 point font with a standard font and margins. the audience we're writing for is "reasonably adept, have seen films and understand text."
4. we talked about hamlet for the remainder of the period. some important points:
- at the end of Act II, Hamlet's excited about putting on the play and finding out
the truth
- the "to be or not to be" soliloquy is his first lines in the third act which is
weird because he's talking about suicide. possibly bipolar?
- people were then picked to read from Act III scene i.
- claudius says spying on hamlet can be rationalized because trying to help him
- we finished our discussion talking about sugar coating, rationalizing, and the
theme of appearance vs. reality
5. the homework is to read Act III scene i thoroughly, finish with notebooks, and to be working on the papers.
meg k
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Feb. 7th 2008 Class summary
Today in class we watched three more clips:
THE FIRST CLIP:
Actor: NIcol Williamson
Director: Tony Richardson
Year: 1969
This was a major motion picture
The camera was mostly focused in a close up of just Hamlet. He constantly was looking at the camera, he was very slow paced but intense. Not too many different levels of range in emotion. There certain lines cut out as well. Too many close ups.
THE SECOND CLIP:
Actor: Mel Gibson
Director: Franko Zephyrelli
Year: 1990
Big Budget Picture, designed for mass audience.
First half of the sililoquy about the player was cut out because the scene with the players was cut out. There would be a lack of understanding through the sililoquy if they kept it in. The other reason was for transforming a 4 hour play into a 2 hour movie. If you kno Mel Gibson then you can picture him in this role. Very intense and great range of emotions. He interacted with the set very well. The relationship of the character was established through vision emphasis of Mel Gibson's eyes. They are a familiar thing to the audience.
THE THIRD CLIP:
Actor:Derek Jacobi
Director: Rodney Bennett
Year:1980
Jacobi was an experianced Shakesperian actor. Doing other plays and playing Claudius in a different version of Hamlet.
HE was not that intense and very sane throughout. Raises voice for adding intensity and emphasis. There is one point where he almost attacks the camera/ audience, and then quickly regains composure. Thats the only part where he seemed some what in sane.
k fahey
THE FIRST CLIP:
Actor: NIcol Williamson
Director: Tony Richardson
Year: 1969
This was a major motion picture
The camera was mostly focused in a close up of just Hamlet. He constantly was looking at the camera, he was very slow paced but intense. Not too many different levels of range in emotion. There certain lines cut out as well. Too many close ups.
THE SECOND CLIP:
Actor: Mel Gibson
Director: Franko Zephyrelli
Year: 1990
Big Budget Picture, designed for mass audience.
First half of the sililoquy about the player was cut out because the scene with the players was cut out. There would be a lack of understanding through the sililoquy if they kept it in. The other reason was for transforming a 4 hour play into a 2 hour movie. If you kno Mel Gibson then you can picture him in this role. Very intense and great range of emotions. He interacted with the set very well. The relationship of the character was established through vision emphasis of Mel Gibson's eyes. They are a familiar thing to the audience.
THE THIRD CLIP:
Actor:Derek Jacobi
Director: Rodney Bennett
Year:1980
Jacobi was an experianced Shakesperian actor. Doing other plays and playing Claudius in a different version of Hamlet.
HE was not that intense and very sane throughout. Raises voice for adding intensity and emphasis. There is one point where he almost attacks the camera/ audience, and then quickly regains composure. Thats the only part where he seemed some what in sane.
k fahey
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
class Feb. 6th
Today we got our actual assignment for the paper. We have to analyze Hamlet's soliloquey at the end of Act II scene II by watching the soliloquey in class in different movie versions with different actors and different portrayals and decide which one you personally think is the best example of the soliloquey. We watched two film clips and we will begin class tomorrow discussing the second clip.
The First Clip:
- was in black and white,actor Hamlet spoke very fast, hard to understand him, with great emotion, was very personal when speaking, used the set enough but not too much, said the word Hecuba with sarcasm and pronounced every syllable with a stress, good range of emotion throughout, not so many close ups with the camera
The Second Clip:
- was in color, actor Hamlet talked slower, was easier to understand, more close up with the camera, very emotional acting, could see it in his eyes what he was feeling, disheveled looking
I will add specifics tomorrow because I can't remember the names of the actors and the directors off hand.
R. Fink
The First Clip:
- was in black and white,actor Hamlet spoke very fast, hard to understand him, with great emotion, was very personal when speaking, used the set enough but not too much, said the word Hecuba with sarcasm and pronounced every syllable with a stress, good range of emotion throughout, not so many close ups with the camera
The Second Clip:
- was in color, actor Hamlet talked slower, was easier to understand, more close up with the camera, very emotional acting, could see it in his eyes what he was feeling, disheveled looking
I will add specifics tomorrow because I can't remember the names of the actors and the directors off hand.
R. Fink
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
class Feb 4th
-return beowulf books to class if you have them still
-we finished discussing discussing the quote "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."
-We then discussed a government "tax refund" program to stimulate the economy. This was a continuation of the quote conversation. The argument was that from a psychological perspective it should be called a tax bonus so that people are more inclined to spend it. It is the idea of using words to make people think a certain way.
-Also many arguments are over symbols, not real things such as, marriage and money. (money is concreate but it represents an idea)
-We also talked about how political candidates are vague so that more people agree with them.
- We discussed the censorship of words
-Giving words meaning
-Why are vulgar words so offensive
-People blame the media for influencing them to do stuff
- Language is a symbol to represent something else
- We discussed act 2 scene 2 again
-talked abou the theatre group
-Polonius introduces the players even though Hamlet already knows who they are. ( this makes Polonius look like a fool)
-we finished discussing discussing the quote "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."
-We then discussed a government "tax refund" program to stimulate the economy. This was a continuation of the quote conversation. The argument was that from a psychological perspective it should be called a tax bonus so that people are more inclined to spend it. It is the idea of using words to make people think a certain way.
-Also many arguments are over symbols, not real things such as, marriage and money. (money is concreate but it represents an idea)
-We also talked about how political candidates are vague so that more people agree with them.
- We discussed the censorship of words
-Giving words meaning
-Why are vulgar words so offensive
-People blame the media for influencing them to do stuff
- Language is a symbol to represent something else
- We discussed act 2 scene 2 again
-talked abou the theatre group
-Polonius introduces the players even though Hamlet already knows who they are. ( this makes Polonius look like a fool)
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