Caroline Cook

Dear Rising Juniors,

Your summer break is officially OVER, and luckily for y’all that means your third year of high school has now started. Your junior year can be described in many ways some adjectives are hardest, most important, tedious, deathly, etc. The advice that you are about to read should be taken to heart because you do NOT want to start off on the wrong foot, trust me. The FIRST thing you need to know is that there are two deciding factors in your English III grade, one is homework, and the other is BLOGS. There is no excuse for not doing your homework! Mrs. Duke usually has her assignments up very early so you can always look ahead, but let this be known, missing home work grades lead to you failing and an unhappy Mrs. Duke, and an unhappy Mrs. Duke leads to a rough year. Mrs. Duke can be your best friend, and you want this side, but I have had the horrible fate of ending up in the INFAMOUS (infamous means famous for its evil ways by the way). Do not end up like our class!!!!! The second thing I mentioned BLOGS, well obviously you know a little something about them because you are reading one right now, but you will get to know them so much better. Blogs seem like they aren’t a big deal right? WRONGGGGGGGG, blogs will either make you or brake you. They are so easy, just pick three nights a week to spend about 15 minutes on a computer. I would bet my life that you spend more than 15 minutes a night on the computer anyways. So while you’re checking facebook or e-mail, open another tab and type in www.kealyduke.edublogs.org, it isn’t that hard! I PINKY PROMISE that you will regret not doing them, sure did. Other than those two deciding grade factors here are 10 things you should know about this class….

1. MOST rumors are made up, this class isn’t really that bad- but you can make it worse than you have heard, the choice is yours
2. Do not talk to people from other classes, it doesn’t matter what they did it’s not what you are doing- and it really bothers Mrs. Duke
3. READ, if you do not read the assignments then you have screwed yourself over. You will end up with other assignments that are harder and zeros. READ!
4. Although I hope it’s already clear- BLOGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG and BLOG EARLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
5. Go into this class with a good attitude, and don’t get off topic
6. Do not curse under your breath or hide food in your desks
7. Do not fight over chairs or now or laters
8. Be creative- open your mind to new ways of learning. The projects and activities in this class can be a little out there, but I promise if you open your mind you can learn from everything you do. The murals, altered books, skits, warm ups, arts and crafts, comic strips, etc. ALL HELP YOU!
9. Take all of these advice blogs seriously
10. DO NOT BRING CHICK-FIL-A to class

TAKE CARE OF MRS. DUKE FOR US, AND GOOD LUCK WITH JUNIOR YEAR, YOU WILL NEED IT. FORGET ABOUT SUMMER BECAUSE IT’S GONE, SO GET REDY, GET SET, GO!

Dear Simon Russell Beale,

Although I have no idea what you look like, I cannot get your voice out of my head. This could possibly have been caused by the fact that I have listened to it for the last three weeks, over and over again… I think that you did a pretty good job reciting Hamlet’s line. I don’t know if I would consider myself an auditory learner or a visual learner, but whichever I am I think having both ways in Hamlet really helped me. Listening to the words out loud and reading them at the same time burned them into my mind. And because all I had was a voice to figure out Hamlet’s emotions, with no help from facial expressions or body motions, I think you were a great choice for the part of Hamlet. You were really good at expressing emotions through the volume, quality, pitch, timing, etc. An example of volume and pitch would be when you got angry with Claudius you would raise your voice and because it was loud and the pitch was rougher I could bluntly tell that you were angry. By timing I meant that you knew when to pause and wait before going on with your lines, by doing this you let me know when Hamlet was think and debating in his head, which was a really big idea in Hamlet, so by doing this you really helped highlight the “thinking/ questioning theme”. Quality is not really the right word I was looking for, but I think it is the best I could come up with. An example of quality would be when you saw the ghost or learned of something that made you nervous or frightened you stuttered, your voice trembled, or you whimpered and this helped bring out your emotions too. I think that you did an awesome job with the lines of Hamlet. Your voice wasn’t obnoxious and it also wasn’t too ordinary to where it drowned out. It made Hamlet have a distinct voice and you could pay attention to what he was saying without complaining about an awful voice. GREAT JOB MR. BEALE!

Dear Kenneth Branagh,

Your performance in Hamlet had many positive aspects with only a few flaws. I really liked the emotion you put into each scene, you are a very talented actor. Like in the graveyard scene, I really felt as if that you were bothered by the gravedigger’s unrespectful attitude. Also, in the final scene when you saw the death of your on screen mother the anger and pain in your eyes really looked real. One actor once told me that to be a real master at that, you need to have a good “AS IF”, I would love to know what “AS IF” you were thinking of because your emotions were very real. Another thing I thought you did well in your role as Hamlet was your action sequences. The way you and Laertes fenced and chased each other was very believable and did not look rehearsed. Another action part I enjoyed watching was when you swung down on the chandelier rope and threw the sword right into Claudius, it was pretty legit. The third thing that impressed me from the movie did not have to do with your acting, but with your directing. I cannot imagine having to direct a movie that I was also the lead character. I thought the grave yard scene was genius! The time of night, creepy trees, and dirty costumes made the scene come together. Also the bone props you used looked really real.

But there were some things that I was not a huge fan of the movie. I did not like how bright the hall in the castle. The gray walls and big clear windows were not what I had in mind; I really pictured wooden walls and ceiling with stain glass windows or windows being covered by dark heavy drapes. I thought it was going to have kind of a dark vibe to it. I also thought it was weird because it was set a lot closer to our time period than it was originally written in. I did think that the whole late 1800’s early 1900 military look was very suitable, although it did make it a little more modern. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been set in the Elizabethan Era. The last problem I had with your movie was you look way too old to be Hamlet. Although you’re a good actor, so do not take this offensive, I think you messed up when you casted yourself as Hamlet. I think you would have done well in a part such as Horatio or Ros./Guil., but you were just too old to be the youthful main character. I pictured Hamlet with brown hair, a small amount of facial hair if any and no grown up features. Because I couldn’t see you as Hamlet I had a hard time relating the movie to the txt because I just couldn’t picture it.

Overall I think you were successful at making a film for Hamlet! I give you props for working so hard and being both the director and main character, it must have been tough.  Keep up the work, you will go places!

Your fan,
Caroline

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead! Didn’t see that one coming… KIDDING. But I have to say, there death was a complete let down. I mean the entire book is about how they are destined to die and foreshadowing their death, and you don’t even get to see it. I mean if I have waited an entire play for characters to die, I atleast want it to be a BANG of a death. They just walk of the stage and you know they are dead… are you kidding me? I mean come one, we deserve a little detail. But other than that I was kind of confused about why the kept mentioning that they were on a boat. We get it, your on a boat… “we’re on a boat. Dark isn’t it?” (98), “because you’re on a boat, aren’t you?” (100), “one is free on a boat” (101), “we’re on a boat..” (102)… WE GET IT. But the parts I did like was when they brought the ”game” thing back into the play. I always like it when writers incorporiate things in both the beginning and the end as kind of a tie.

PAGE 109[ Ros (kingly): And who are you?

Guil: We are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Ros (kingly): Never heard of you!

Guil: Well, we're nobody special-] I think that this conversation is very ironic because it talks about how unimportant Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are, when in reality they are essential to the whole plot of Hamlet. I think this kind of goes back to the original play of Hamlet because it might seem like the aren’t important and you might not need to remember their names, but the whole resolution of the play is based off the fact that they go to England instead of Hamlet to be killed.

On the same page (109) Ros says (playing like the king), “What’s your game?” and Guildenstern replies back, ” We’ve got our instructions..” I like this exerpt from the play because it goes back to the concept of games, and it really shows that they even in the “game of life” they have “instuctions” and have an exact plan of what to do and the results. The instructions part is VERY IMPORTANT, and its one of those witty comments of Stoppard’s.

On page 110, Guildenstern goes on this whole rant that includes talk of philosophy, fate, mortality, etc. and even refreces Socrates, then he says “don’t apply logic”. This to me is kind of contradicting, but it works here. It goes back to the whole them of questioning and how Hamlet has to think and things over and over again and APPLY LOGIC so he doesn’t seem insane, and here Guil. is saying not to apply logic, I can;t explain how it works, but it does (even if it is contradicting). I’m making no sense, right? Well, I promise it does in my head.

When the player comes in I kind of get confused, but I get that he is like Hamlet in a way… but I have questions on this, so hopefully its explained well in other people’s blogs! But anyways back to the player… I think that he is basically there to tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that they aren’t in this position because of the choice they made (like getting on the boat), it is just because they are who they are and thats their FATE.

The last page of this play is definitely INTERTEXUALITY, it comes straight from the original Hamlet. The whole conversation between the Amassador and Horatio is word for word. I think that this was a really good decision of Stoppard because as the play finially ends and all this stuff just happened, the reader or watcher, which ever audience it is, needs to be reminded that this does come straight from Hamlet and that it hasn’t gone off track but is still there.

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.” (126).

THE ENDDDDDDD

Hmm this reading was odd

Rosencrantz wants to go home badly, but Gertrude tells R and G to go see Hamlet while they ask a bunch of questions (which, of course, confused me). I was completely confused about the whole switching character idea. Which, I mean, I guess is the whole point of the game, but it seems to be completely pointless. Anyways, they go about the annoying game and we find out some stuff and then Hamlet walks in. The tales all match up and it confuses me a bit more. I was lost at this point. We all have come to notice that this is much more laid back and light hearted compared to the other reading. The jokes and stupid humor give us a break from the non-stop drama in Hamlet. However, I find a lot more foreshadowing in R and G. I guess because it focuses on them….duh janie. 

Ok so this reading wasn’t long, and I think I understand this book better now. The whole idea of showing they know its a play in the play makes a lot more sense. I don’t think metafiction would work in most plays, but it fits in nicely in R and G are Dead. Especially with the theme of fate. In this reading, R and G discuss their fate of dieing and what not… they talk about this openly and its kind of ironic. Another reason I understand it better is the fact that we had a guest speaker, Dukesster’s own flesh and blood actually, come talk to us. Mrs. Duke’s brother has actually been in the play and was none other than Rosencrantz himself. He explained alot about how it should be performed, and he even did a little dimo for us in class. I’m getting more into this book the more I read, so I might not stop at page 95 tonight!

1. Exigence — What needs doing at this point? In other words, what is compelling Hamlet to speak at this moment in the play?

“To be or not to be…that is the question..” is one of the most famous lines that Shakespeare ever wrote, and it starts this passage. It shows that he is about to start thinking hard and questioning what’s going on in his head.Hamlet is confused and scared, so he questions his plans for revenge in this silioquy. He wants to get revenge on his uncle for murdering his father, but killing someone is kind of a big deal. Throughout this whole play, Hamlet questions everything and its a pretty big theme, so the fact that he’s questioning his actions does not come as a surprise.  He has to carefully plan every move he intends on making, and so he thinks “outloud” about it in this silioquy.

2. Audience – The audience is comprised of people who can in some way act on this exigence. Who is Hamlet’s primary audience and how does that influence his choices? Who is Hamlet’s secondary audience and how does that influence his choices? [Hint: they are not on the stage]

Since Hamlet makes this speech with none but himself on stage, his audience is basically himself. I think that the whole audeience is not only him, but also the reader though. Shakespeare wanted the reader to know what was going on in Hamlet’s head through all this, and wanted to show that he isn’t crazy that there is logic and deep thought behind his actions. He is talking to himself though, so in that concept.. he is trying to convince himself that his actions and plans are justified and logically backed up. 

3. Purpose What is the purpose of Hamlet’s speech? 

 I guess the whole purpose is that Hamlet is trying to convince himself that he isn’t as crazy as everyone keeps saying and that all his thoughts of revenge are justified. Also to make sure that he really does want to go along with his plot for revenge. Another purpose is to show more questioning because it is such a big theme. There might be more purposes for this passage, but I just wanted to focus on the main one so I don;t get confused. 

4. Appeals:  Which appeal(s) does Hamlet use to convince and/or motivate his audience? Reference specific lines.

Ethos: Appeal to the character of the speaker

Hamlet questions everything, and his indecievness is his character’s flaw. As Hamlet questions himself, he seems to figure out this is hurting him, how he can never make up his mind.
EX: “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all” 

5. Figures of speech, imagery, diction, syntax: What literary devices does Hamlet employ? Where do you see him making comparisons?  Which tropes–similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, etc. does he use? How do these comparisons relate to his rhetorical purpose? What particularly vivid images stand out? What effect do these images have on Hamlet’s rhetorical purpose?

 Hamlet talks to himself quite a bit and its mostly to show the reader what he’s thinking. He uses a lot of description to emphasize his thoughts. Hamlet uses a lot of examples too. He some times gives examples in lists to highlight the point like when he lists all the terrible things in life that he won’t have to struggle through in death.

6. How do you respond to Hamlet’s soliloquy? In other words, what do you think of him right now?

When Hamlet seemed to realize that he was VERY indecisive, he seemed to questions things even more and his questions kept slowly creeping away from the norm. Basically, Hamlet got even loonier. All though he is using logic and thinks through everything, I still think he’s crazy. But I also think that anyone who could kill someone has to be crazy, even if it is for revenge. How can youjust pull out a nife and stab someone. But I don’t think he really wants to, or at least I don;t think he is a cold blooded killer. Hamlet acts as if he knows its wrong, but if he doesn;t he himself feels guilty for not avenging his father’s death. Overall I think that this passage is going to push Hamlet and break him through a turning point where he might actually do something and stop thinking.

This play so far has been kind of fun to read because the wording and plot is very “clever and witty”. This element of the story contributes to its postmodern effect. We also see an example of intertextuality when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet Hamlet, after they talk Rosencrantz and Guildenstern really think about the meeting and questions some things. That’s a HUGE deal; questioning has already been talked about so many times I probably couldn’t count in this play! Remember: Questions = IMPORTANT! Another thing that was pointed out in class that goes under intertextuality is the phrase “hawk from a handsaw” even thought I don’t really know what that means fully. In class we were all assigned a type of “post modern aspect” to find quotes on, mine was metafiction. I has no clue what this was at first, but I found out that it is when the dialogoue lets you know that they characters are aware they are in a play. In one part someone tells a character to stay in character and get dressed, and then in another instance they talk about their lines saying “..your lines will be cut..” (62).

(I have to add more to this blog later)

I began the reading about two men playing and coin game.  Rosencrantz kept on winning this coin flipping game because it kept landing on heads, and this is weird because it shouldn’t ALWAYS land on the same side…or atleast 92 times in a row…  Chance,desires, and fear are all discussed after the game. Gilderstern questions everything and seems very curious. Then there is a really weird conversation! Rosencrantz goes on and on about how fingernails and facial hair grows on dead bodies. Memories are focused a lot on, espesially when Rosencrantz mixes up his own name. Rosencrantz talks the Tradgeians about how they act like prostitutes and stuff, they get mad, and then Gilderstern asks them to play a coin game. He looses, it lands on tails for the first time. The language is very modern, and it in the play you can tell they know its a play. Its very odd.