Friday, January 29, 2010
After the Attack
The title of this piece hints that the death referenced later in the poem is something that is to be expected. It begins with "the sick boy" and then goes on to speak about the painting. The imagery used to describe what is happening in the painting helps the reader to better understand the symbolism of death. The author uses the painting to portray some of the different aspects of death that many think about. "...peaceful even though the wheat is a golden storm" No one is a stranger to the idea that death is something that is supposed to bring about peace, especially those who believe in the afterlife. But, this line also brings up the idea of the fear or anticipation of death. The fear of death is mostly for the unknown, just as it is for the fear of a storm. The narrator speaks of the man in the painting who could symbolize any number of religious figures, but for this poem is just the one who helps bring people over into death. As the poem continues on, the painting expands as if to welcome the sick boy inside to become a part of the wheat field. It "begins to stretch and open" like a doorway leading into the next world. The poem ends with "He has come nearer./No one notices it." I think this is talking about both the boy and the man in the painting. The man has come nearer to help the boy into his transition to the other side and the boy has come nearer to death. The tone of this piece makes the reader feel somewhat like the sick boy. It is as if the author put the reader in the place of the boy calmly waiting for death to come. It isn't indifferent, but rather ready for what will surely come next.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I Crave Your Mouth, Your Voice, Your Hair
There can be a couple of arguments made for what Neruda meant by this poem. I believe he meant for the love in the sonnet to be the kind that comes from a distance. There is a menacing quality to the way the narrator speaks. He uses words such as "crave" and "starving" to suggest that this love is something that has to be satisfied. He has a great desire for this woman, but there is the suggestion that she is somehow out of his league. Her "sleek laugh" sounds like she is blowing him off, or perhaps sharing a joke with another person. The speaker becomes jealous(?) of the sunbeam that falls on the woman and he speaks of eating it, which suggests at making it a part of himself. If he were part sunbeam then he would be able to touch this untouchable woman, even if it's only for a moment. There is also a hint here that he wants to make her happy. Sunbeams bring warmth to a person and that is what the narrator wants for this woman. Unfortunately, there is an impatience (suggested by the pacing) in him that makes it impossible to wait for her to notice him. Neruda's comparison to a puma shows the reader that the speaker has decided to take on a predatory role towards this love. There is the chance (suggested by "twilight") that this can bring about the beginning of a relationship with this woman, or the ending of any chances he has with her. It is hinted that he knows the outcome will be solitude ("barrens") and the speaker will be forced to remain impatient and craving.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Beloved entries 28-45
28. "Denver needed somebody normal in her life" (pg. 200) This suggests that Denver is the only person in 124 who is even partially sane. There is a contrast here between Denver and Paul D. While both seem to be normal people, Denver becomes addicted to Beloved while Paul D. is completely creeped out by her.
29. "Spirit willing; flesh weak" (pg. 203). Allusion to Bible- Matthew 26:41. Jesus tells Peter to watch out so he doesn't become tempted. Stamp Paid is tempted to knock on the door of 124. There is the possibility that by doing so, he would meet Beloved and become one of the ones who is addicted to her. He wants to help Denver, but he is being saved from evil by not entering into temptation.
30. "...nobody saw them falling" (pg. 205). This hints at the affect slavery has had on the minds of the people in this family. They start to go crazy, but no one sees until they are unsalvageable. This also parallels how no one knew Sethe was insane until she attempted to kill her entire family.
31. "The peace of the winter stars seemed permanent" (pg. 208). Now that Sethe knows about Beloved, she can be content with it. The past doesn't seem so horrible to her now that something good has come of it. "Seemed" foreshadows to the way that Beloved becomes spoiled by the love that is shown to her by her family. After the time of peace is over, Beloved will have to go as well.
32. "He hoped she stuck to blue, yellow, maybe green, and never fixed on red" (pg. 213). Stamp Paid hopes that Baby Suggs was able to focus on the good things in life (such as harmony, joy, heaven, trust and truth) and never got sidetracked by the things that will make a person want to die (such as rage, malice and anger). He has a great respect for her and the way she helps others in the Clearing and wants her to feel the same release of problems that she brought to everyone else.
33. "I can forget that what I did changed Baby Suggs' life" (pg. 217). Sethe knows that her decision to kill Beloved ruined any chance that Baby had of growing roots with the townspeople. This causes her even more bad memories, but now she doesn't seem to be showing any remorse for what she did. This suggests a parallelism between Sethe and the white slave owners: they may have some bad memories, but that doesn't stop them from doing what they do. They don't seem to care what effect their actions will have on certain individuals.
34. "...leastway act like a Christian" (pg. 219). This suggests that no one in the town treats Sethe with any respect or familiarity because of what she did and possibly because they also think she has too much pride. It is perhaps more her pride in what she did that keeps her from being a part of the community. If she showed some humility, or even some remorse, they would be more willing to accept her.
35. "...that people who die bad don't stay in the ground" (pg. 221). This hints at both the way Beloved died and what she becomes when she is alive. It is common for ghosts to be the people who died a violent death, so it is not surprising when Beloved returns to haunt her mother. This also foreshadows to Beloved's "bad" behavior later in the book when she becomes demanding like the spoiled infant she is at heart. The question that Morrison is posing to the reader here is "what is Beloved's unfinished business?"
36. "Feel their judgement or their pity, especially now" (pg. 225). Morrison has already established that the people in the town look down on pride, and that is probably the real reason Sethe doesn't want to go to the store with the others. She isn't accepted by the whites or the former slaves. To one group, she is an animal. To the other, she is a murderer full of pride for what she did.
37. "Away from me. Always away from me" (pg. 226). This reflects not only the abandonment of Sethe's own family, but also the theme of slavery and its effect on the individual. Sethe's family (especially Howard and Buglar) are afraid of her and that's why they abandon her. Denver might not physically abandon her, but she isn't able to show her the love that she holds inside because of the fear of what might happen. This part also reflects the damages that slavery can have on families. Many were torn apart because many of the members were sold or hanged.
38. "Who in the world was he willing to die for?" (pg. 239). Sethe's insanity drove her to try and kill her children, but she didn't die. She was the one killing, so it's ironic that she would think of Paul D. like this. She feels that he doesn't love at all and therefore he is flawed. The problem with Paul is that he actually does love, but he tries very hard not to because he doesn't want to have to let the things/people he loves go.
39. "Don't love her too much" (pg. 243). This is a warning that Denver should be speaking to herself about Beloved. She is becoming too attached to her, even though she subconsciously knows that Beloved doesn't belong in her world. The fact that Denver has so much love to give and so much lonliness to make up for is wasted on Beloved. However, this will eventually be a benefit to Denver. Her lonliness is what helps her to break her addiction to her sister and go out to get help from the people of the town.
40. "...sent him running toward blossoms" (pg. 261). This suggests that Paul D. was running towards Sethe from the very beginning. The cherry blossoms on her back are symbolic of the dead slaves hung from the trees, so this passage could also be hinting that going to Sethe will be the death of a part of him. By the end of the book, we find that running to Sethe saved Paul D. from his fear of loving.
41. "For his song perhaps to end?" (pg. 266). The songs of many of the slaves were made up to symbolize their lives. The fact that the whitemen wait for Sixo to finish his song could be showing the reader that they are just wanting him to die. It is fitting that it is Sixo's song that convinces the men to put him to death. Perhaps he appealed to their subconscious and got them to kill him to put him out of his misery.
42. "A teasing August rain that raises expectations it cannot fill" (pg. 268). The weather reflects the failure of the escape plans and the fact that Paul D. gets caught. It could also be symbolic of the expectations that Beloved's family has. At first, they all want her to stay and that is the teasing. Once she decides she is going to stay, things start to go bad and she becomes spoiled. Beloved can't live up to the expectations because she isn't really meant to be in the world of the living.
43. "...ask your pardon. Apologize" (pg. 271). Stamp is like family to everyone he has ferried across the river. He is perhaps the only one who can take a duty like this upon himself. He feels ashamed that no one in the town took it upon themselves to invite Paul D. into their home. This seems to reflect on him somehow. I think it makes it look like he didn't try hard enough to get his "family" to offer Paul D. a place to stay.
44. "Saw Sethe's eyes bright but dead, alert but vacant..." (pg. 285) This is the point in the story where Beloved and Sethe seem to be trading places. Where Beloved was dead and vacant before, now Sethe is. Before, Beloved was thin but now she is becoming bloated from being pregnant as well as taking most of the food in the household. This marks a turning point for Sethe. Now, if Beloved were to leave she would feel some pain, but it would be something that she could be drawn out of with a few kind words. I think before if she would have lost Beloved, there would have been nothing that could have been done to keep her from killing herself.
45. "Denver lowered her head" (pg. 288). Perhaps the reason why the people in town are able to accept Denver is because she doesn't show any of the pride that is so evident in her mother. In fact, Denver sees no reason why people would want to help her out. This is what makes them more inclined to like her. She is respectful to everyone and that makes them feel better. She gives them a sense of importance that they never had in their lives as slaves and that is a priceless gift.
29. "Spirit willing; flesh weak" (pg. 203). Allusion to Bible- Matthew 26:41. Jesus tells Peter to watch out so he doesn't become tempted. Stamp Paid is tempted to knock on the door of 124. There is the possibility that by doing so, he would meet Beloved and become one of the ones who is addicted to her. He wants to help Denver, but he is being saved from evil by not entering into temptation.
30. "...nobody saw them falling" (pg. 205). This hints at the affect slavery has had on the minds of the people in this family. They start to go crazy, but no one sees until they are unsalvageable. This also parallels how no one knew Sethe was insane until she attempted to kill her entire family.
31. "The peace of the winter stars seemed permanent" (pg. 208). Now that Sethe knows about Beloved, she can be content with it. The past doesn't seem so horrible to her now that something good has come of it. "Seemed" foreshadows to the way that Beloved becomes spoiled by the love that is shown to her by her family. After the time of peace is over, Beloved will have to go as well.
32. "He hoped she stuck to blue, yellow, maybe green, and never fixed on red" (pg. 213). Stamp Paid hopes that Baby Suggs was able to focus on the good things in life (such as harmony, joy, heaven, trust and truth) and never got sidetracked by the things that will make a person want to die (such as rage, malice and anger). He has a great respect for her and the way she helps others in the Clearing and wants her to feel the same release of problems that she brought to everyone else.
33. "I can forget that what I did changed Baby Suggs' life" (pg. 217). Sethe knows that her decision to kill Beloved ruined any chance that Baby had of growing roots with the townspeople. This causes her even more bad memories, but now she doesn't seem to be showing any remorse for what she did. This suggests a parallelism between Sethe and the white slave owners: they may have some bad memories, but that doesn't stop them from doing what they do. They don't seem to care what effect their actions will have on certain individuals.
34. "...leastway act like a Christian" (pg. 219). This suggests that no one in the town treats Sethe with any respect or familiarity because of what she did and possibly because they also think she has too much pride. It is perhaps more her pride in what she did that keeps her from being a part of the community. If she showed some humility, or even some remorse, they would be more willing to accept her.
35. "...that people who die bad don't stay in the ground" (pg. 221). This hints at both the way Beloved died and what she becomes when she is alive. It is common for ghosts to be the people who died a violent death, so it is not surprising when Beloved returns to haunt her mother. This also foreshadows to Beloved's "bad" behavior later in the book when she becomes demanding like the spoiled infant she is at heart. The question that Morrison is posing to the reader here is "what is Beloved's unfinished business?"
36. "Feel their judgement or their pity, especially now" (pg. 225). Morrison has already established that the people in the town look down on pride, and that is probably the real reason Sethe doesn't want to go to the store with the others. She isn't accepted by the whites or the former slaves. To one group, she is an animal. To the other, she is a murderer full of pride for what she did.
37. "Away from me. Always away from me" (pg. 226). This reflects not only the abandonment of Sethe's own family, but also the theme of slavery and its effect on the individual. Sethe's family (especially Howard and Buglar) are afraid of her and that's why they abandon her. Denver might not physically abandon her, but she isn't able to show her the love that she holds inside because of the fear of what might happen. This part also reflects the damages that slavery can have on families. Many were torn apart because many of the members were sold or hanged.
38. "Who in the world was he willing to die for?" (pg. 239). Sethe's insanity drove her to try and kill her children, but she didn't die. She was the one killing, so it's ironic that she would think of Paul D. like this. She feels that he doesn't love at all and therefore he is flawed. The problem with Paul is that he actually does love, but he tries very hard not to because he doesn't want to have to let the things/people he loves go.
39. "Don't love her too much" (pg. 243). This is a warning that Denver should be speaking to herself about Beloved. She is becoming too attached to her, even though she subconsciously knows that Beloved doesn't belong in her world. The fact that Denver has so much love to give and so much lonliness to make up for is wasted on Beloved. However, this will eventually be a benefit to Denver. Her lonliness is what helps her to break her addiction to her sister and go out to get help from the people of the town.
40. "...sent him running toward blossoms" (pg. 261). This suggests that Paul D. was running towards Sethe from the very beginning. The cherry blossoms on her back are symbolic of the dead slaves hung from the trees, so this passage could also be hinting that going to Sethe will be the death of a part of him. By the end of the book, we find that running to Sethe saved Paul D. from his fear of loving.
41. "For his song perhaps to end?" (pg. 266). The songs of many of the slaves were made up to symbolize their lives. The fact that the whitemen wait for Sixo to finish his song could be showing the reader that they are just wanting him to die. It is fitting that it is Sixo's song that convinces the men to put him to death. Perhaps he appealed to their subconscious and got them to kill him to put him out of his misery.
42. "A teasing August rain that raises expectations it cannot fill" (pg. 268). The weather reflects the failure of the escape plans and the fact that Paul D. gets caught. It could also be symbolic of the expectations that Beloved's family has. At first, they all want her to stay and that is the teasing. Once she decides she is going to stay, things start to go bad and she becomes spoiled. Beloved can't live up to the expectations because she isn't really meant to be in the world of the living.
43. "...ask your pardon. Apologize" (pg. 271). Stamp is like family to everyone he has ferried across the river. He is perhaps the only one who can take a duty like this upon himself. He feels ashamed that no one in the town took it upon themselves to invite Paul D. into their home. This seems to reflect on him somehow. I think it makes it look like he didn't try hard enough to get his "family" to offer Paul D. a place to stay.
44. "Saw Sethe's eyes bright but dead, alert but vacant..." (pg. 285) This is the point in the story where Beloved and Sethe seem to be trading places. Where Beloved was dead and vacant before, now Sethe is. Before, Beloved was thin but now she is becoming bloated from being pregnant as well as taking most of the food in the household. This marks a turning point for Sethe. Now, if Beloved were to leave she would feel some pain, but it would be something that she could be drawn out of with a few kind words. I think before if she would have lost Beloved, there would have been nothing that could have been done to keep her from killing herself.
45. "Denver lowered her head" (pg. 288). Perhaps the reason why the people in town are able to accept Denver is because she doesn't show any of the pride that is so evident in her mother. In fact, Denver sees no reason why people would want to help her out. This is what makes them more inclined to like her. She is respectful to everyone and that makes them feel better. She gives them a sense of importance that they never had in their lives as slaves and that is a priceless gift.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Beloved Structure (Part 2)
Part 2 reflects the passage of a person from slavery to freed slave. We see the transition that many of the characters are trying to make to free person. Morrison begins this section with the presence of Stamp Paid to show the reader that the people in 124 are making the voyage across the river to true freedom. Stamp's connection to the ferryman, Charon, on the River Styx reflects how he ferries the dead across to the freedom of the world of the dead. Another important element of Part 2 for the reader to consider is that this is the first time that Sethe finally decides to accept that Beloved is her dead daughter (and dead memories) come back to life. The ablility to make this realization shows the reader that Sethe is finally beginning to make the transition from freed slave to free person. Love is something that the slaves can't accept because it is something that can cause heartbreak even more easily. Each chapter has its significance, but perhaps the most important is the one where the voices of Sethe, Denver and Beloved all come together. The almost poetic harmony of their voices together becomes a transition for the three of them: each begins to accept the love that they have and are able to give. It can be argued that this is Beloved's whole purpose in coming back from the dead. Her main goal is to help Sethe to learn how to love again. The section ends, once again with the ferryman, suggesting that this is the passage of a slave to a free person. At this point, each slave is still too close to their past and the river that they have had to cross to truely be a part of the free society.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Beloved entries 16-27
16. "Denver had worried herself sick trying to think of a way to get Beloved to share her room" (pg. 79). Denver has finally found someone who takes away the loneliness, but it seems like Beloved doesn't love Denver as much. Later in the story, we actually read about Beloved saying that the only person she loves is Sethe. In a sense, this makes Denver more alone than she ever was because now she thinks she isn't. I think Beloved is just using the way Denver seems to worship her. When Denver finds out how Beloved really feels, she will be devastated.
17. "Other people went crazy. Why couldn't she?" (pg. 83). Most people are afraid of the unknown of being crazy as well as being rejected by society. Sethe has already been shunned by society, so that isn't a concern for her. Now she just wants to go crazy so she won't remember the horrors of the past. The main problem here, I think, is that Sethe is already crazy, but she hasn't suffered any of the memory loss that others have. Fate in this book seems to keep from people the thing they want most in the world.
18. "There's a way to put it there...which is worse" (pg. 84). Paul D is saying that it's bad for the slaves to be treated cruelly enough with the bit that they go mad. He wonders if it's worse to take out the craziness because when you're mad the pain and suffering doesn't seem quite as real as when you're perfectly sane. On the other hand, Sethe suffers a lot and she's a bit on the crazy side.
19. "This moment of certainty...the spore itself" (pg. 99). This parallels the lives of the slaves and plays into the theme of slavery. The only future they have is the one that exists for them before they are born, the imaginary plans that parents make that they secretly know will never happen, but it makes them happier to think about it. When the baby is born, their future dies in slavery.
20. "...opened her great heart to those who could use it" (pg. 102). It has been mentioned often that former slaves are afraid to love or even become attached to people/things. Baby Suggs just allows herself to love and be loved. This is what makes her such a great preacher(?). She doesn't seem to worry about the future and things being taken away from her, but rather she lets herself be content with the love that she has for the time being.
21. "It started...children cried..." (pg. 103). Baby Suggs knows how the escaped and former slaves try to hold everything in because the less emotion they show the less likely are to be punished for it. They try so hard to be perfect in order to keep from losing everything (or to keep from being beaten) that they become hugely burdened by the weight of their emotions. Baby helps them to let go, playing into the idea of rebirth.
22. "...Sethe knew grief at 124 had started when she jumped down off the wagon..." (pg. 105). This suggests that the blackness of grief and despair that Sethe can't seem to let go of brings everyone else down, even the most easily inspired of the slaves. This also contrasts with the luck that Denver has and the way Paul D can get people to talk to him about their problems.
23. "...it didn't matter if it was real or not" (pg. 110). This Sethe contrasts with the character we see now. This one seems to love her children and dote on them. The current Sethe doesn't seem to pay much attention to Denver. It is possible that Sethe resents that she wasn't able to kill Denver to protect her at the same time she did Beloved.
24. "...for they would not visit...mistreated" (pg. 112). This aspect of the story parallels society both in the time of the author and the society we live in now. When a person does something out of the ordinary, even for love, it is frowned upon by the masses because it just isn't the way things are done.
25. "Beloved so agitated she behaved like a two-year-old" (pg. 116). I think Sethe knows subconsciously that Beloved is her ghost daughter. She is trying to block out the facts that are facing her. She doesn't want to know that Beloved is her daughter because she prefers to think that her daughter is safe from all harm that could come from the world.
26. "They sang lovingly of graveyards and sisters long gone" (pg. 128). This is ironic for the reader coming from a different view point, but for the slaves, death was a blessing that was supposed to bring the peace and rest that could never be found in life. This sentence both parallels and contrasts Beloved. She was in a graveyard for a little bit of time, but she isn't the sister who is long gone.
27. "Looking kept it at bay" (pg. 141). Denver thinks she's happier with Beloved around and perhaps she is a little bit, but she is still lonely. She isn't loved by Beloved as much as she gives her love. Beloved told Paul D that the only one she loves is Sethe. Denver may think that Beloved feels affection for her, but the reader can see the emptiness that is there. Thinking that Beloved loves her will only make Denver more lonely in the end.
17. "Other people went crazy. Why couldn't she?" (pg. 83). Most people are afraid of the unknown of being crazy as well as being rejected by society. Sethe has already been shunned by society, so that isn't a concern for her. Now she just wants to go crazy so she won't remember the horrors of the past. The main problem here, I think, is that Sethe is already crazy, but she hasn't suffered any of the memory loss that others have. Fate in this book seems to keep from people the thing they want most in the world.
18. "There's a way to put it there...which is worse" (pg. 84). Paul D is saying that it's bad for the slaves to be treated cruelly enough with the bit that they go mad. He wonders if it's worse to take out the craziness because when you're mad the pain and suffering doesn't seem quite as real as when you're perfectly sane. On the other hand, Sethe suffers a lot and she's a bit on the crazy side.
19. "This moment of certainty...the spore itself" (pg. 99). This parallels the lives of the slaves and plays into the theme of slavery. The only future they have is the one that exists for them before they are born, the imaginary plans that parents make that they secretly know will never happen, but it makes them happier to think about it. When the baby is born, their future dies in slavery.
20. "...opened her great heart to those who could use it" (pg. 102). It has been mentioned often that former slaves are afraid to love or even become attached to people/things. Baby Suggs just allows herself to love and be loved. This is what makes her such a great preacher(?). She doesn't seem to worry about the future and things being taken away from her, but rather she lets herself be content with the love that she has for the time being.
21. "It started...children cried..." (pg. 103). Baby Suggs knows how the escaped and former slaves try to hold everything in because the less emotion they show the less likely are to be punished for it. They try so hard to be perfect in order to keep from losing everything (or to keep from being beaten) that they become hugely burdened by the weight of their emotions. Baby helps them to let go, playing into the idea of rebirth.
22. "...Sethe knew grief at 124 had started when she jumped down off the wagon..." (pg. 105). This suggests that the blackness of grief and despair that Sethe can't seem to let go of brings everyone else down, even the most easily inspired of the slaves. This also contrasts with the luck that Denver has and the way Paul D can get people to talk to him about their problems.
23. "...it didn't matter if it was real or not" (pg. 110). This Sethe contrasts with the character we see now. This one seems to love her children and dote on them. The current Sethe doesn't seem to pay much attention to Denver. It is possible that Sethe resents that she wasn't able to kill Denver to protect her at the same time she did Beloved.
24. "...for they would not visit...mistreated" (pg. 112). This aspect of the story parallels society both in the time of the author and the society we live in now. When a person does something out of the ordinary, even for love, it is frowned upon by the masses because it just isn't the way things are done.
25. "Beloved so agitated she behaved like a two-year-old" (pg. 116). I think Sethe knows subconsciously that Beloved is her ghost daughter. She is trying to block out the facts that are facing her. She doesn't want to know that Beloved is her daughter because she prefers to think that her daughter is safe from all harm that could come from the world.
26. "They sang lovingly of graveyards and sisters long gone" (pg. 128). This is ironic for the reader coming from a different view point, but for the slaves, death was a blessing that was supposed to bring the peace and rest that could never be found in life. This sentence both parallels and contrasts Beloved. She was in a graveyard for a little bit of time, but she isn't the sister who is long gone.
27. "Looking kept it at bay" (pg. 141). Denver thinks she's happier with Beloved around and perhaps she is a little bit, but she is still lonely. She isn't loved by Beloved as much as she gives her love. Beloved told Paul D that the only one she loves is Sethe. Denver may think that Beloved feels affection for her, but the reader can see the emptiness that is there. Thinking that Beloved loves her will only make Denver more lonely in the end.
Beloved entries 1-15
1. "Time never worked the way Sixo thought..." (pg. 25). Here, we see the idea that time and fate never like people think it should. They try to plan by it and try to make it work for them, but in the end the way time is changed never works out in a beneficial way.
2. "...the 'tree' lying next to him didn't compare" (pg. 26). To Paul D, the tree is something that should remind him of good times and companionship. Sethe's tree only makes him regret. Where trees are usually symbols of something that is living and growing, Sethe's scars are only a reminder of pain and the death of her happiness. If it represented true death, the tree would be a kind of release from her memories, but it only reminds her of the terrible things she has seen and experienced.
3. "...while the whitegirl talked, the baby slept" (pg. 40). The peace that the baby in the womb feels when Amy is talking parallels the contentment Denver feels when Sethe tells her the story of her birth. Thinking about Amy makes Denver feel less lonely. The author uses this part of the story to show the reader just how different Denver is. Where most slaves would be horrified at the thought of white people and reminded of everything they suffered at their hands, Denver feels a kind of peace and kinship with one of them.
4. "Anything dead coming back to life hurts" (pg. 42). The fact that the ghost is caught in between the spirit world and the world of the living shows the reader how there must be a lot of pain there. In a sense, the ghost is always in a state of coming back to life. This parallels the pain that the baby must be feeling at being murdered by her own mother and not being able to be near her and love her as she should.
5. "...the kind who know Jesus by his first name..." (pg. 44). This is ironic because the ability to talk to Jesus through prayer is supposed to be the one thing that keeps all people equal despite any situation they might be in. All are supposed to be equal in God's eyes, but the life of serving is so ingrained in the slaves that they actually believe that they aren't worthy to call him by his name.
6. "None could appreciate the safety of ghost company" (pg. 45). This is one of the first moments that shows us the extent of Denver's loneliness. The fact that she has to rely on the ghost for company because no one else will really pay attention to her makes the reader feel sympathetic to her. So far, Denver is the only one who is comforted by the presence of the ghost, even when there's the red light and the feelings that come with it.
7. "Would it be all right?...Go ahead and count on something" (pg. 46). This is the first we see of any guilty feelings in Sethe. She regrets that she hasn't already started making plans, but at the same time she doesn't want to depend on something that won't always be there. This moment also reflects the uncertainty of her life. It seems that the ghost baby is the only thing that she can count on since the rest of her family (except Denver) left her.
8. "They were not holding hands, but their shadows were" (pg. 56). This hints at the trouble that all of them have with forming any kind of attachments. Shadows may represent a kind of dream life where they can all be together and happy. This serves to make the reality of the situation more harsh to both the characters and the reader.
9. "Arabian Nights Dancer cut her performance...Abu Snake Charmer, who followed her" (pg. 58). There is a huge contrast her between the adults and the children. Where the adults feel the stinging insult of the dancer's leaving the stage, the kids feel that it is something to be glad for because what is coming next is better. This symbolizes in their real lives how the children find it easier to pick up and move on and find adventure in what they do. By the time they reach their adult lives, they become jaded and unable to look at things for the benefits rather than the problems that are developed.
10. "...but because amid all that she was smiling" (pg. 64). This is a huge contrast to almost all of the other characters in this book. Most are made bitter or sad because of the hardships that they suffer, but this woman is able to push through it. It is possible that this is because she has accomplished her goal where so many of the other characters have failed at theirs or even forgot to set goals for themselves.
11. "She's not sick!" (pg. 64). Denver has always felt a close kinship with the ghost. She has figured out quite quickly that this is her sister. She knows that Beloved is tired because she has returned from death and that experience weakened her. It is perhaps because of her connection and love for the ghost that Denver is able to believe the unexplainable that her sister has been resurrected.
12. "This place is heavy" (pg. 65). This is the only suggestion the reader has at how difficult it was for Beloved to return to life. The heaviness may stem from the freedom that she was used to having in death, but doesn't exist in life. It's possible that she doesn't mean that the real world is literally heavy, but that the atmosphere at 124 is heavy. There are so many things going on that weigh the people who live there down (Sethe's memories, Paul D's past and future, Denver's lonliness).
13. "...holding on to furniture...neck alone" (pg. 67). Beloved was murdered when she was around 2 years old. She never got the chance to use her muscles properly while she was living, so now she has to learn what she never knew before. It is odd that Sethe doesn't make any kind of connection between Beloved and herself. Perhaps she's blocking out what she doesn't want to know.
14. "I want you and Halle to be happy" (pg. 71). It was rare in the times of slavery for a white person to care for their slaves like Mrs. Garner does for Sethe. She not only doesn't beat her for stealing, but she gives her a gift. Mrs. Garner's caring is perhaps a better gift for Sethe than the earrings because of the rarity of it. On the other hand, it's possible that this is just a tactic employed by some of the better slave owners: the happier you keep the slaves, the less danger you are in.
15. "The rest was a gleaming powerful world, made more so by Denver's absence from it" (pg. 74). Before, it was mentioned that Denver is very lucky. Perhaps that is why the world without her is so powerful. Her luck is strong enough that it seems to keep certain things from happening. She doesn't like to hear about things without her because it makes her feel even more lonely, like no one would care and she would be abandoned.
2. "...the 'tree' lying next to him didn't compare" (pg. 26). To Paul D, the tree is something that should remind him of good times and companionship. Sethe's tree only makes him regret. Where trees are usually symbols of something that is living and growing, Sethe's scars are only a reminder of pain and the death of her happiness. If it represented true death, the tree would be a kind of release from her memories, but it only reminds her of the terrible things she has seen and experienced.
3. "...while the whitegirl talked, the baby slept" (pg. 40). The peace that the baby in the womb feels when Amy is talking parallels the contentment Denver feels when Sethe tells her the story of her birth. Thinking about Amy makes Denver feel less lonely. The author uses this part of the story to show the reader just how different Denver is. Where most slaves would be horrified at the thought of white people and reminded of everything they suffered at their hands, Denver feels a kind of peace and kinship with one of them.
4. "Anything dead coming back to life hurts" (pg. 42). The fact that the ghost is caught in between the spirit world and the world of the living shows the reader how there must be a lot of pain there. In a sense, the ghost is always in a state of coming back to life. This parallels the pain that the baby must be feeling at being murdered by her own mother and not being able to be near her and love her as she should.
5. "...the kind who know Jesus by his first name..." (pg. 44). This is ironic because the ability to talk to Jesus through prayer is supposed to be the one thing that keeps all people equal despite any situation they might be in. All are supposed to be equal in God's eyes, but the life of serving is so ingrained in the slaves that they actually believe that they aren't worthy to call him by his name.
6. "None could appreciate the safety of ghost company" (pg. 45). This is one of the first moments that shows us the extent of Denver's loneliness. The fact that she has to rely on the ghost for company because no one else will really pay attention to her makes the reader feel sympathetic to her. So far, Denver is the only one who is comforted by the presence of the ghost, even when there's the red light and the feelings that come with it.
7. "Would it be all right?...Go ahead and count on something" (pg. 46). This is the first we see of any guilty feelings in Sethe. She regrets that she hasn't already started making plans, but at the same time she doesn't want to depend on something that won't always be there. This moment also reflects the uncertainty of her life. It seems that the ghost baby is the only thing that she can count on since the rest of her family (except Denver) left her.
8. "They were not holding hands, but their shadows were" (pg. 56). This hints at the trouble that all of them have with forming any kind of attachments. Shadows may represent a kind of dream life where they can all be together and happy. This serves to make the reality of the situation more harsh to both the characters and the reader.
9. "Arabian Nights Dancer cut her performance...Abu Snake Charmer, who followed her" (pg. 58). There is a huge contrast her between the adults and the children. Where the adults feel the stinging insult of the dancer's leaving the stage, the kids feel that it is something to be glad for because what is coming next is better. This symbolizes in their real lives how the children find it easier to pick up and move on and find adventure in what they do. By the time they reach their adult lives, they become jaded and unable to look at things for the benefits rather than the problems that are developed.
10. "...but because amid all that she was smiling" (pg. 64). This is a huge contrast to almost all of the other characters in this book. Most are made bitter or sad because of the hardships that they suffer, but this woman is able to push through it. It is possible that this is because she has accomplished her goal where so many of the other characters have failed at theirs or even forgot to set goals for themselves.
11. "She's not sick!" (pg. 64). Denver has always felt a close kinship with the ghost. She has figured out quite quickly that this is her sister. She knows that Beloved is tired because she has returned from death and that experience weakened her. It is perhaps because of her connection and love for the ghost that Denver is able to believe the unexplainable that her sister has been resurrected.
12. "This place is heavy" (pg. 65). This is the only suggestion the reader has at how difficult it was for Beloved to return to life. The heaviness may stem from the freedom that she was used to having in death, but doesn't exist in life. It's possible that she doesn't mean that the real world is literally heavy, but that the atmosphere at 124 is heavy. There are so many things going on that weigh the people who live there down (Sethe's memories, Paul D's past and future, Denver's lonliness).
13. "...holding on to furniture...neck alone" (pg. 67). Beloved was murdered when she was around 2 years old. She never got the chance to use her muscles properly while she was living, so now she has to learn what she never knew before. It is odd that Sethe doesn't make any kind of connection between Beloved and herself. Perhaps she's blocking out what she doesn't want to know.
14. "I want you and Halle to be happy" (pg. 71). It was rare in the times of slavery for a white person to care for their slaves like Mrs. Garner does for Sethe. She not only doesn't beat her for stealing, but she gives her a gift. Mrs. Garner's caring is perhaps a better gift for Sethe than the earrings because of the rarity of it. On the other hand, it's possible that this is just a tactic employed by some of the better slave owners: the happier you keep the slaves, the less danger you are in.
15. "The rest was a gleaming powerful world, made more so by Denver's absence from it" (pg. 74). Before, it was mentioned that Denver is very lucky. Perhaps that is why the world without her is so powerful. Her luck is strong enough that it seems to keep certain things from happening. She doesn't like to hear about things without her because it makes her feel even more lonely, like no one would care and she would be abandoned.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Act 5
1. The gravedigger's song seems to parallel Hamlet's soliloquy earlier in the play where he contemplates death. The casualness with which death is treated in this section makes the reader realize to what extent Hamlet has taken his madness. He no longer seems to be thinking with his logic, but rather with only his feelings.
2. Hamlet's outlook towards death has changed to become more accepting. Where before he thought death was a tragedy, now it is just a part of the cycle of life. Hamlet's attitude towards Yoric seems to parallel his feelings towards his father. He is looked at as being a good man and is remembered with quite a bit of love and affection. His fond memories of Yoric also seem to contrast his feelings towards Ophelia. Hamlet is deeply hurt by her rejection, which he trys to mask by making a show of not having any feelings for her. It is possible that this conflict of emotions that pushes him over the brink into total madness.
3. We learn that the gravedigger has been digging graves since Hamlet was born and he has been digging graves for thirty years. We also know that Hamlet was old enough to travel by himself and go off to college.
4. The violent argument creates more of an air of action in the play. It becomes more dramatic due to the fact that Hamlet is now completely off his rocker. He no longer seems to have any control over his emotions and because of that he now becomes a man of action rather than a man of thought.
5. The episode on the boat suggests to the reader that Hamlet no longer has any control over his emotions. He no longer thinks things out excessively, but rather doesn't consider his actions at all. His role in the murder of two of his childhood friends shows the reader that, while he may have been betrayed by their lies, he doesn't realize what he is doing anymore.
6. Before, the reader was led to believe that Hamlet didn't want to be put on the throne, but would rather pursue his acting. This speech seems to suggest that Hamlet has taken his acting to the fullest extent and now he has even more reasons to want to kill Claudius. Before Hamlet just wanted revenge for his father's death, but now it has sunk to a more personal level.
7. Osric is selling himself in this episode since he hopes that this will help him to be assosciated with royalty. This reinforces the motif of prostitution. Osric tries to claw his way up in the world by telling Hamlet everything that he wants to hear.
8. Where before Hamlet said that choosing death would be cheating himself out of the suffering that seems necessary to life, now he defies augury by saying that if he is fated to die then he will live and vice versa. He now believes the everything will wind up as it will, despite anything that he might do to change it.
9. Laertes says that he is seeking revenge because it is the noble thing to do, much like the culture of the ancient anglo-saxon cultures. The only problem is that he has corrupted his honor by cheating in the fight and dipping his sword with poison. In this case, revenge becomes even more corrupt when innocent bystanders, such as the queen, are killed.
10. Gertrude's dying lines reflect the way she dies. The poison was not her choice, paralleling the ways that she was forced into situations throughout the play, much like Ophelia. Claudius' dying lines show how he tries to be macho all the time. His line is similar to people saying "it's only a scratch." It is Claudius' last chance to try and put on a brave face and make himself seem better off than he really is.
11. It seems that Young Fortinbras is the winner. He not only gives a proper burial, but he also forgives the enemies of his father and kingdom. Fortinbras comes off as noble in his accomplishment of the task of vanquishing his country's enemies and taking over, but he isn't portrayed as being selfish or cruel in this revenge. It is ironic that the person who wins is also one who was seeking revenge as all throughout the play the ones who sought out revenge seemed to be the ones who suffered the most.
2. Hamlet's outlook towards death has changed to become more accepting. Where before he thought death was a tragedy, now it is just a part of the cycle of life. Hamlet's attitude towards Yoric seems to parallel his feelings towards his father. He is looked at as being a good man and is remembered with quite a bit of love and affection. His fond memories of Yoric also seem to contrast his feelings towards Ophelia. Hamlet is deeply hurt by her rejection, which he trys to mask by making a show of not having any feelings for her. It is possible that this conflict of emotions that pushes him over the brink into total madness.
3. We learn that the gravedigger has been digging graves since Hamlet was born and he has been digging graves for thirty years. We also know that Hamlet was old enough to travel by himself and go off to college.
4. The violent argument creates more of an air of action in the play. It becomes more dramatic due to the fact that Hamlet is now completely off his rocker. He no longer seems to have any control over his emotions and because of that he now becomes a man of action rather than a man of thought.
5. The episode on the boat suggests to the reader that Hamlet no longer has any control over his emotions. He no longer thinks things out excessively, but rather doesn't consider his actions at all. His role in the murder of two of his childhood friends shows the reader that, while he may have been betrayed by their lies, he doesn't realize what he is doing anymore.
6. Before, the reader was led to believe that Hamlet didn't want to be put on the throne, but would rather pursue his acting. This speech seems to suggest that Hamlet has taken his acting to the fullest extent and now he has even more reasons to want to kill Claudius. Before Hamlet just wanted revenge for his father's death, but now it has sunk to a more personal level.
7. Osric is selling himself in this episode since he hopes that this will help him to be assosciated with royalty. This reinforces the motif of prostitution. Osric tries to claw his way up in the world by telling Hamlet everything that he wants to hear.
8. Where before Hamlet said that choosing death would be cheating himself out of the suffering that seems necessary to life, now he defies augury by saying that if he is fated to die then he will live and vice versa. He now believes the everything will wind up as it will, despite anything that he might do to change it.
9. Laertes says that he is seeking revenge because it is the noble thing to do, much like the culture of the ancient anglo-saxon cultures. The only problem is that he has corrupted his honor by cheating in the fight and dipping his sword with poison. In this case, revenge becomes even more corrupt when innocent bystanders, such as the queen, are killed.
10. Gertrude's dying lines reflect the way she dies. The poison was not her choice, paralleling the ways that she was forced into situations throughout the play, much like Ophelia. Claudius' dying lines show how he tries to be macho all the time. His line is similar to people saying "it's only a scratch." It is Claudius' last chance to try and put on a brave face and make himself seem better off than he really is.
11. It seems that Young Fortinbras is the winner. He not only gives a proper burial, but he also forgives the enemies of his father and kingdom. Fortinbras comes off as noble in his accomplishment of the task of vanquishing his country's enemies and taking over, but he isn't portrayed as being selfish or cruel in this revenge. It is ironic that the person who wins is also one who was seeking revenge as all throughout the play the ones who sought out revenge seemed to be the ones who suffered the most.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Hamlet Act 3
3.1 & 3.2
1. Rosencrantz and Gildenstern report that Hamlet wants everyone to go to the play that is being put on. They also tell Polonius that Hamlet is confused, however he doesn't want anyone asking about why he is acting so crazy.
2. Claudius confirms what Polonius has guessed by admitting to killing Hamlet's father.
3. Claudius and Polonius plan to use Ophelia to see if Hamlet is crazy because of his love for her. They decide to hide in the bushes and watch while Ophelia forces Hamlet to react by returning his love letters.
4. Hamlet's soliloquy reflects his dark mood while he contemplates the idea of suicide. He tries to decide if it would be more worthy of his status if he committed suicide or to stick it out and fight the suffering of life.
5. Hamlet's main argument is that it isn't noble or worthy of his status to commit suicide. He believes people are afraid of death mainly because they don't know what will happen next.
6. Hamlet is hurt by Ophelia's rejection of him and that is why he is cruel. Even though his place doesn't allow him to be in love with her, there is the suggestion of some deeper feelings. The real reason he is so cruel to her though is because of his sense of betrayal. He feels that Ophelia has lied to him when he finds out about Claudius and Polonius hiding and spying on their conversation.
7. Hamlet barely disguises his threat to kill Claudius.
8. King Claudius wants to send Hamlet to England to get rid of his bad thoughts as well as collect their debts to Denmark.
9. Hamlet recruits Horatio to trap Claudius because of his trustworthiness and his ability to see the truth in a situation. Hamlet sees that Horatio bases his decisions on facts and doesn't take sides and that appeals to him.
10. Hamlet asks Horatio to watch Claudius during the play and see if he shows a guilty reaction. Claudius' reaction to the play decides who the ghost is: the king or a spirit of evil.
11. In the play-within-a-play, there is a King and a Queen talking to each other. They confess their undying love for each other and the King prophesies his own death. When the Queen leaves the King for his nap, the nephew comes in and puts poison in the King's ear. He then marries the Queen.
12. Hamlet calls the play the "Mouse-trap" because of its ultimate purpose of trapping Claudius (who is viewed by Hamlet as being like a rodent) into admitting his involvement in the murder of the King.
13. Claudius is surprised by the play and demands to be taken from the building. His shock over being called out for his part in the murder makes him act even more suspiciously.
14. Hamlet compares himself to and instrument, such as a pipe. He uses this to show how Gildenstern is trying to manipulate him, as well as showing that he can't be played.
15. Hamlet admonishes himself because he plans to kill Claudius, while he only plans to speak cruelly to his mother.
1. The play scene is a turning point because Claudius' actions confirm that he was the one who killed the King.
2. EXPOSITION: The reader is introduced to many of the main character roles in the story. We are also introduced to the inner workings and conflicting emotions within the castle (through the marriage). Some history of Denmark is given, and we are introduced to the ghost and shown that he will only talk to Hamlet.
INCITING EVENT: Hamlet goes with the ghost by himself and is told the story of his father's murder. He is told to take revenge for his father's death. This is the beginning of Hamlet's plot to destroy Claudius and begins his acting crazy.
RISING ACTION: Hamlet throws himself into the role of acting mad and people start to wonder about him. The actors come and the mouse-trap play is put on. Claudius shows his guil by demanding to be taken out of the building. Claudius and Polonius manipulate Ophelia and Hamlet says he doesn't love her anymore. Claudius goes off by himself to pray over his guilt and Hamlet comes across him, but chooses not to kill him.
3.3 & 3.4
1. After seeing the play, Claudius plans to send the three men to England to do work for him. However, he is probably planning to have the men murdered because he now knows that Hamlet is aware of his part in the murder of Old Hamlet.
2. Polonius plans to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude and listen to what he is telling her.
3. a.) This is the first time we see Claudius portrayed as feeling guilty for murdering Old Hamlet.
b.) Claudius is found praying by Hamlet, and he decides not to kill him and avenge his father at this moment.
c.) The reader is shown how Claudius feels bad, but he doesn't seem to want to give up any of the benefits that he has gained from the murder of his brother, such as his marriage to the queen.
4. It is ironic that Hamlet finds Claudius praying because this shows some kind of repentance from the murder. Before, the reader was led to believe that Claudius wasn't able to repent because he didn't feel any guilt over his actions. This makes him seem more human. It is also ironic because his guilt is basically what saves him from Hamlet's anger.
5. Hamlet finds similarities between his father and his uncle in death. He feels that it would be unjust if Claudius went to Heaven because he was killed while he was praying, rather than being cursed to roam the earth like the spirit of the King. Hamlet would rather wait to kill his uncle until he is doing something bad and will therefore be cursed just like Old Hamlet.
Scene 4:
1. Polonius tells the queen to really yell at Hamlet. He tells her that it is best if she doesn't worry about her son's feelings, but rather tells him the truth about how much trouble he has caused to Claudius.
2. Hamlet views people to spy and tell lies as rats. He uses this line as he kills Polonius to underline the significance of lies in this play, as well as show the reader how much he can't stand the idea of deception.
3. It is odd that Hamlet seems to be putting some of the blame for the murder on his mother. It is pretty likely that he is still holding a grudge for his mother marrying his uncle so soon after his father's death. Hamlet is also trying to find out if the Queen knew about the murder at all.
4. Gertrude isn't quite sure what Hamlet is talking about, but she does know that she had to re-establish her role as the mother figure. She thinks that Hamlet should be more obedient as her son and is letting him know that he doesn't have the right to talk to her in such a cruel manner.
5. Hamlet compares his father to the great Greek gods, such as Jove and Mars. This suggests that he is superior to all people and is loved/worshiped by many. Hamlet's comparison of Claudius to a rotten ear of corn shows just how little he thinks of him, as well as shows the huge degree of difference that there is between Claudius and Old Hamlet.
6. In Hamlet's eyes, his father was a much better man than his uncle. This comparison plays into the theme of the fall of mankind because Claudius' "rot" and his role in incest is what seems to be causing the downfall of Denmark.
7. It is very disturbing that Hamlet describes in such detail the sex life between his mother and his uncle. Most people prefer not to talk about the sex life of their parents, but in this case, Hamlet talks about it in such a way that shows how repulsed he is by the whole idea of the incest that is a result of his mother's marriage.
8. The ghost stops Hamlet's ranting and raving by reminding him to remain focused on the goal of revenge. Apparently Hamlet has forgotted the ghost's earlier warning that Gertrude has nothing to do with the matter between him and Claudius. The ghost has to stop him before he forgets his mission.
9. At this point, Hamlet's speeches are coming to reflect the madness that is taking him over. He has started to criticize, but the things he is disapproving of are things that he is doing himself. "Repent what's past, avoid what is to come" (ln. 152). The irony here is that Hamlet doesn't feel bad at all about killing Polonius and he is looking forward to murdering his uncle, rather than trying to avoid it. "Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg" (ln. 156). If Hamlet thinks he is at all virtuous at this point, then he has definitely gone crazy. His participation in revenge and murder only makes him just as bad as his uncle and helps the evil spirit of the ghost to accomplish the corruption that it wanted to begin.
10. In the first act, the ghost seems to want to stimulate Hamlet to do something other than study acting. It seems that the ghost plants the idea of revenge to get him to actually make something of himself. In the third act, however, the ghost becomes less of a stimulant to the learning process of acting and more of an evil spirit come to make Hamlet want to kill or be killed, thus reflecting his madness.
1. Rosencrantz and Gildenstern report that Hamlet wants everyone to go to the play that is being put on. They also tell Polonius that Hamlet is confused, however he doesn't want anyone asking about why he is acting so crazy.
2. Claudius confirms what Polonius has guessed by admitting to killing Hamlet's father.
3. Claudius and Polonius plan to use Ophelia to see if Hamlet is crazy because of his love for her. They decide to hide in the bushes and watch while Ophelia forces Hamlet to react by returning his love letters.
4. Hamlet's soliloquy reflects his dark mood while he contemplates the idea of suicide. He tries to decide if it would be more worthy of his status if he committed suicide or to stick it out and fight the suffering of life.
5. Hamlet's main argument is that it isn't noble or worthy of his status to commit suicide. He believes people are afraid of death mainly because they don't know what will happen next.
6. Hamlet is hurt by Ophelia's rejection of him and that is why he is cruel. Even though his place doesn't allow him to be in love with her, there is the suggestion of some deeper feelings. The real reason he is so cruel to her though is because of his sense of betrayal. He feels that Ophelia has lied to him when he finds out about Claudius and Polonius hiding and spying on their conversation.
7. Hamlet barely disguises his threat to kill Claudius.
8. King Claudius wants to send Hamlet to England to get rid of his bad thoughts as well as collect their debts to Denmark.
9. Hamlet recruits Horatio to trap Claudius because of his trustworthiness and his ability to see the truth in a situation. Hamlet sees that Horatio bases his decisions on facts and doesn't take sides and that appeals to him.
10. Hamlet asks Horatio to watch Claudius during the play and see if he shows a guilty reaction. Claudius' reaction to the play decides who the ghost is: the king or a spirit of evil.
11. In the play-within-a-play, there is a King and a Queen talking to each other. They confess their undying love for each other and the King prophesies his own death. When the Queen leaves the King for his nap, the nephew comes in and puts poison in the King's ear. He then marries the Queen.
12. Hamlet calls the play the "Mouse-trap" because of its ultimate purpose of trapping Claudius (who is viewed by Hamlet as being like a rodent) into admitting his involvement in the murder of the King.
13. Claudius is surprised by the play and demands to be taken from the building. His shock over being called out for his part in the murder makes him act even more suspiciously.
14. Hamlet compares himself to and instrument, such as a pipe. He uses this to show how Gildenstern is trying to manipulate him, as well as showing that he can't be played.
15. Hamlet admonishes himself because he plans to kill Claudius, while he only plans to speak cruelly to his mother.
1. The play scene is a turning point because Claudius' actions confirm that he was the one who killed the King.
2. EXPOSITION: The reader is introduced to many of the main character roles in the story. We are also introduced to the inner workings and conflicting emotions within the castle (through the marriage). Some history of Denmark is given, and we are introduced to the ghost and shown that he will only talk to Hamlet.
INCITING EVENT: Hamlet goes with the ghost by himself and is told the story of his father's murder. He is told to take revenge for his father's death. This is the beginning of Hamlet's plot to destroy Claudius and begins his acting crazy.
RISING ACTION: Hamlet throws himself into the role of acting mad and people start to wonder about him. The actors come and the mouse-trap play is put on. Claudius shows his guil by demanding to be taken out of the building. Claudius and Polonius manipulate Ophelia and Hamlet says he doesn't love her anymore. Claudius goes off by himself to pray over his guilt and Hamlet comes across him, but chooses not to kill him.
3.3 & 3.4
1. After seeing the play, Claudius plans to send the three men to England to do work for him. However, he is probably planning to have the men murdered because he now knows that Hamlet is aware of his part in the murder of Old Hamlet.
2. Polonius plans to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude and listen to what he is telling her.
3. a.) This is the first time we see Claudius portrayed as feeling guilty for murdering Old Hamlet.
b.) Claudius is found praying by Hamlet, and he decides not to kill him and avenge his father at this moment.
c.) The reader is shown how Claudius feels bad, but he doesn't seem to want to give up any of the benefits that he has gained from the murder of his brother, such as his marriage to the queen.
4. It is ironic that Hamlet finds Claudius praying because this shows some kind of repentance from the murder. Before, the reader was led to believe that Claudius wasn't able to repent because he didn't feel any guilt over his actions. This makes him seem more human. It is also ironic because his guilt is basically what saves him from Hamlet's anger.
5. Hamlet finds similarities between his father and his uncle in death. He feels that it would be unjust if Claudius went to Heaven because he was killed while he was praying, rather than being cursed to roam the earth like the spirit of the King. Hamlet would rather wait to kill his uncle until he is doing something bad and will therefore be cursed just like Old Hamlet.
Scene 4:
1. Polonius tells the queen to really yell at Hamlet. He tells her that it is best if she doesn't worry about her son's feelings, but rather tells him the truth about how much trouble he has caused to Claudius.
2. Hamlet views people to spy and tell lies as rats. He uses this line as he kills Polonius to underline the significance of lies in this play, as well as show the reader how much he can't stand the idea of deception.
3. It is odd that Hamlet seems to be putting some of the blame for the murder on his mother. It is pretty likely that he is still holding a grudge for his mother marrying his uncle so soon after his father's death. Hamlet is also trying to find out if the Queen knew about the murder at all.
4. Gertrude isn't quite sure what Hamlet is talking about, but she does know that she had to re-establish her role as the mother figure. She thinks that Hamlet should be more obedient as her son and is letting him know that he doesn't have the right to talk to her in such a cruel manner.
5. Hamlet compares his father to the great Greek gods, such as Jove and Mars. This suggests that he is superior to all people and is loved/worshiped by many. Hamlet's comparison of Claudius to a rotten ear of corn shows just how little he thinks of him, as well as shows the huge degree of difference that there is between Claudius and Old Hamlet.
6. In Hamlet's eyes, his father was a much better man than his uncle. This comparison plays into the theme of the fall of mankind because Claudius' "rot" and his role in incest is what seems to be causing the downfall of Denmark.
7. It is very disturbing that Hamlet describes in such detail the sex life between his mother and his uncle. Most people prefer not to talk about the sex life of their parents, but in this case, Hamlet talks about it in such a way that shows how repulsed he is by the whole idea of the incest that is a result of his mother's marriage.
8. The ghost stops Hamlet's ranting and raving by reminding him to remain focused on the goal of revenge. Apparently Hamlet has forgotted the ghost's earlier warning that Gertrude has nothing to do with the matter between him and Claudius. The ghost has to stop him before he forgets his mission.
9. At this point, Hamlet's speeches are coming to reflect the madness that is taking him over. He has started to criticize, but the things he is disapproving of are things that he is doing himself. "Repent what's past, avoid what is to come" (ln. 152). The irony here is that Hamlet doesn't feel bad at all about killing Polonius and he is looking forward to murdering his uncle, rather than trying to avoid it. "Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg" (ln. 156). If Hamlet thinks he is at all virtuous at this point, then he has definitely gone crazy. His participation in revenge and murder only makes him just as bad as his uncle and helps the evil spirit of the ghost to accomplish the corruption that it wanted to begin.
10. In the first act, the ghost seems to want to stimulate Hamlet to do something other than study acting. It seems that the ghost plants the idea of revenge to get him to actually make something of himself. In the third act, however, the ghost becomes less of a stimulant to the learning process of acting and more of an evil spirit come to make Hamlet want to kill or be killed, thus reflecting his madness.
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