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October 20, 2005
Shakespeare's Best Play
Shakespeare, Hamlet (Acts 1 & 2) -- Drama as Literature (EL 250)
Bernardo: Well may it sort, that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our watch; so like the king
That was and is the question of these wars.
I think that this line is a summation of the play. All of the drama and political events that occur are a direct result of the kings actions before death, and his death itself. Of the Shakespeare plays I have read, Hamlet is by far my favorite. I can't wait until Hamlet starts spewing monologues!
The beginning of the play always fascinated me because we see Hamlet's digression into seeming crazyiness. He plans in scene two to hold his tongue until the end saying, "But break my heart,--for I must hold my tongue! This ends up characterizing the whole play. He waits and waits, not telling anyone what he knows, or what he plans.
Posted by DavidDenninger at October 20, 2005 03:31 PM
Comments
Yeah, it takes him too long to make up his mind about things. He's too introspective.
Posted by: Kayla Sawyer at October 20, 2005 04:26 PM
You say "seeming" craziness, do you mean that you don't think Hamlet really goes crazy - he is just putting on an act? That is something that is often up for debate and I just wondered if that is the way you see it?
And yes, Hamlet is certainly not a hasty, spontaneous person. (It's curious you like him so much David...he's certainly not like you in that way!=0) He thinks things through a little too much. But he seems to want to be in complete control and so he is always questioning everything and being philosophical.
Posted by: Lorin Schumacher at October 20, 2005 05:15 PM
Haha, THANKS Lorin!
I guess I am spontaneous...
To answer your question--yes, I think that Hamlet changes when he finds out the truth, and while he may go a little nuts, I think he acts out a lot too. In doing so, it allows him to manuever around without others suspecting too much.
Posted by: David Denninger at October 20, 2005 05:26 PM
I totally agree with Lorin, you are in a way like Hamlet. HEHE! But yea I definetly like Hamlet the best out of any Shakespeare play.
Posted by: Denamarie at October 20, 2005 05:29 PM
Me too. I remember discussing whether or not Hamlet was really crazy a great deal in my AP English class. My teacher kind of taught us that Hamlet puts on this act the whole play, because a lot of what he says is very clever and most of the time, true. He can put on the impression that he's crazy but knows "a hawk from a handsaw".
Posted by: AmandaNichols at October 20, 2005 07:45 PM