HamLog+Jennifer+P.

Hamlet Log

__**Hamlet: Act 1, Scene 1&2**__ Summary: A group of guards talk about a "ghost" that only some of them have seen. They wait for it to appear and it does. The ghost does not speak, but they notice his expression and attire and comment that he looks like the King of Denmark who recently passed away. The ghost appears for a second time, but disappears when the sun starts to rise.

In the second scene, the main characters--the royal family--are finally introduced. Hamlet is the so of the dead King. His mother has married her dead husband's brother. Laertes goes back to college, but Hamlet is asked not to go by the new King and his mother. The guards from the first scene appear and tell Hamlet about the ghost. Hamlet agrees to go and see for himself.

Line 55-59, 75 Such was the very armour he had on When he th' ambitious Norway combated. So frown'd he once when, in an angry parle, He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice. 'Tis strange.
 * Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?**
 * [|Bernardo].** Looks it not like the King? Mark it, Horatio. 55
 * [|Horatio].** Most like. It harrows me with fear and wonder.
 * [|Bernardo].** It would be spoke to.
 * [|Marcellus].** Question it, Horatio.
 * [|Horatio].** As thou art to thyself.

I think this scene is significant because it foreshadows the rest of the play. The presence of a ghost suggests that something is not right, and the fact that the ghost is wearing military clothing hints that there is violence and death in the future. Without this scene, there would be no plot. This ghost initiates everything that happens in the rest of the play. His face expression, attire, and his presence in general is a critical factor to the story.

Horatio is the guard that is doubtful of the "ghost" that the others claim to see during the night. When someone claims to have seen a "ghost" the most likely response is to think that they are either delusional or crazy. By having a rational man first doubt the ghost then completely believe it, it shows the audience that the ghost truly does exist in the story.
 * Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.**

//Horatio:I can't believe I'm actually doing this. Of course the ghost doesn't exist. It's impossible! All the guards must be losing their minds..ridiculous. It's so dark that we can't even see anything..this is ludicrous. I should know better, I'm a rational man. This can't be true..can it? But it's not just one guard that claims it is true..it is several. No, no it's impossible. No "ghost" will appear tonight and they will see I am right.//
 * Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.**

This shows how ridiculous Horatio thought the idea of a ghost was. But the fact that he went with the other guard to see if it was true shows that he had a sliver of doubt.

Act 1, Scene 3

Laertes gets ready to leave for France. He warns Ophelia that falling in love with Hamlet is a bad idea. He is of a higher birth than her and he has too many responsibilities so it will be hard for them to marry. She agrees to be careful but tells him not to be a hypocrit. Polonius also enters to tell his son goodbye before he leaves. He gives Laertes advice. Laertes leaves and Polonius and Ophelia once again talk about Hamlet. Polonius gives the same advice as Laertes.

Act 1, Scene 4

Hamlet is watching outside the castle with Horatio and Marcellus for the ghost. The ghost motions for Hamlet to follow, and against the advice of his friends Hamlet follows. Horatio and Marcellus talk and decide to follow Hamlet in order to protect him.

Act 1, Scene 5

Hamlet says that he will not go any futher and finally the ghost starts to speak. The ghost confesses that he is the spirit of Hamlet's father and that he has been murdered by the current King. He disapproves of both his brother and his wife for their actions following his death. He says that Claudius killed him using poison. He tells Hamlet to avenge him and when the ghost leaves Horatio and Marcellus enter. Hamlet makes them promise not to tell anyone that they saw a ghost.

Act 2, Scene 1

Polonius sends someone to find out how his son is doing in France. He tells the man to go to where Laertes is and see the reaction of the people after talking negatively about him. Ophelia enters and tells her father that she saw Hamlet and he looked terrible. They think that he simply feels rejected.

Act 2, Scene 2 The King and the queen think Hamlet has gone insane. The ambassador of Norway comes to the castle and informs the King that Norway will not invade Denmark. Polonius tries talking to Hamlet and when it doesn't work he comes to the conclusion that Hamlet is crazy too. The players arrive and Hamlet asks for more favors. They agree to follow his orders.

Does Hamlet really love Ophelia? There isn't anything so far about him declaring his feelings for her. Does she really love him? If yes then why is she so accepting of her father and brothers criticism?
 * Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question.**

I can clearly see the difference between Laertes and Hamlet. Especially in the scene where Laertes is leaving for France, the reader can see the family bond that exists between Laertes, Polonius and Ophelia. Polonius gives his son fatherly advice for the trip that Laertes is about to take to France. On the other hand, Hamlet doesn't take charge of his responsibilities. He doesn't feel threatened that someone else has taken the throne that is rightfully is and just mourns. He doesn't have a close family relationship with any of the other characters yet.
 * Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion.**

Horatio or Marcellus: "Should we follow him? The GODS will know about this! This is bad. This is bad bad bad. Something bad is going to happen to the state I just know it! I can't believe he would follow the ghost..and alone! Okay let's go! **Walking** Why does he look so terrible? What could have happened? I knew nothing good would come of this. He should have listened to us. Going after a ghost is never a good idea. I wonder what the ghost said to him. Is the host really the former King? Why is he back? Did something happen? Why won't he tell us what the ghost said?! Hmm..I wonder...
 * Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.**

-Each director made completely different choices -In the Mel Gibson movie, he was aware of Polonius and Claudius' presence the whole time. He saw them leaving which explains why he was kind of cold from the beginning. -Less interaction in the Mel Gibson movie compared to the others. He keeps his distance from Ophelia. -In both of the others Hamlet and Ophelia show affection. They are close to each other and are intimate -The Hamlet in the Mel Gibson movie seems distraught.he has the crazy appearance, while in the Kate Winslet movie, Hamlet seems completely normal in the beginning -The three Ophelia's are completely different. In the first movie, she seems small and timid, the second one is very beautiful, and the third one has a strong presence. -Social class is depicted very differently. In the first one, it is quite obvious that Polonius and Ophelia are of a lower class than Hamlet. In the movie with Kate Winslet, they all seem to be in similar social classes because of the way they are dressed. -The settings are all very different. The first movie seems very old and has a dark mood, while the second movie used a more open and bright space for the scene. -In the first two, Ophelia is aware that her father and Claudius are watching, but in the third she is unaware. This changes the scene completely because Ophelia tries to be intimate with Hamlet in the third one. -Hamlet openly looks for Polonius and Claudius by opening all the doors in the second one,while in the first one Hamlet simply looks around with his eyes. -The first one is older while the second seems more modern. -Hamlet reacts different when Ophelia returns the items.

Act 3 Scene 2 Hamlet tells the players to perform what he has told them. Horatio is supposed to watch for Claudius' reaction as Hamlet has told him about how Hamlet's father was murdered. Throughout the scene Hamlet continually degrades Ophelia and makes sexual remarks towards her. The players perform the play exactly the way Hamlet's father died. Claudius storms out and Horatio and Hamlet determine that he is indeed guilty. Hamlet prepares to tell his mother.

1. It does not mean just physically alone, but alone in every other aspect. He feels like he can trust no one especially after his interaction with the ghost.

2. He feels this way after he meets his father in the form of a ghost. Being alone makes him feel like a peasant slave while the duty that he has to avenge his father makes him feel like a rogue slave.

3. The players act out plays. By comparing himself to them he is saying how his situation is like a play--it is unreal. He is bound to do as his father asked him to do just like players are bound to follow the script.

4. Whenever the ear is referenced, it is always in relation to violence. It is how the former King died.

5. He is most likely thinking in theatrical terms because he feels like he is in a play. His situation is so unreal that it is like he is part of a production.

6. That I, the son of a dear father murther'd, That I, the son of a dear father murther'd, Hamlet searches for proof that Claudius did indeed murder his father. He keeps delaying his revenge which indicates that he does not really want to avenge his father and is searching for excuses not to do so.

ACT 4 1. What new information did you learn about your character in Act 4 that would help an actor or actress understand him or her better? Claudius is a complicated man. People tend to classify him as the "bad guy" from the beginning of the play, but he is more then most people make him out to be. I thought he was just a murderer. This act revealed that he is far more complicated than that. He is truly selfish and thinks of only of himself. When the queen comes and tells him what happened with Hamlet and how Polonius is dead the King says how it could have been him! Instead of worrying about his wife who was in the room with someone who just killed another person, he worries about what COULD have happened to him. The death of Polonius brings him stress not grief as he worries about what political consequences there could be due to Polonius' death. He wants to send Hamlet away because he feels threatened by Hamlet. He is not just a cold blooded, power hungry murderer. He is extremely selfish.

2. In each scene where your character appears, what is his or her motivation and objective? In other words, what does this person really want? In each scene that Claudius is in, he is trying to maintain his power.

3. How does your character feel about the events in Act 4? about Hamlet? He is desperate to make things go back to normal after everything that has taken place and also feels threatened by Hamlet and his display of insanity. He is worried about the political ramifications that Polonius' murder might have for him. He has turned other peoples tragedies into concerns for his political career.

4. What do other characters say about your character and how do they react to him? How does your character feel about other characters? Most of the characters seem to genuinely respect him. The people think of him as a fair ruler and Gertrude looks up to him. She betrays her own son and tells him what happened with Hamlet and agrees to send him to England.

5. How does your character affect the events of each scene in which she appears? How is she affected by the events? Claudius affects the events of each scene by trying to manipulate the situation. He does this with Laertes as he tries to manipulate his anger about his father(Polonius)'s death. He tries to control everything because he is scared of losing his power.

6. How is your character important to this act? In other words, do you learn something new about the plot through him? Do you gain any insights about Hamlet by comparing/contrasting him to your character? Claudius has been and still is vital to the plot. He is the one who encourages Laertes to kill Hamlet and get Hamlet's "friends", Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to agree with kill Hamlet as well. He is logical and thinks his actions through while Hamlet seems to be driven by his emotions. Hamlet didn't want to avenge his father at first because he thought murder was morally wrong. Claudius on the other hand does not seem to care for crossing moral boundaries.

7. What questions are raised by your character's words and/or behavior in this act? Why does Claudius pray and feel guilty over killing his brother, but then try and get his nephew/son killed?

8. What was unexpected? What questions that you've previously had are answered by your character's words and /or behavior in this act? Gertrude's reactions were unexpected. Hamlet is her son and I thought she would stick with him through anything, but she seems to be on the king's side.

Act 4, Scene 1 Gertrude goes to tell Claudius about her confrontation with Hamlet. He is with Hamlet's friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. She tells Claudius that Hamlet is mad and how he killed Polonius in a violent storm. Claudius says how it could have been him that died if he had been the one hiding behind the tapestry. Claudius tells her that they must send Hamlet to England and she agrees. They send Hamlet's friends to find Hamlet.

Act 4, Scene 2

Hamlet gets rid of the body. His friends find him and ask where he buried it. He dodges there questions by giving cryptic responses. He accuses them of being spies for the King and finally agrees to be taken to the King.

Act 4, Scene 3

The king announces the death of Polonius. The king presses Hamlet to reveal the location of Polonius' body and he ends up telling everyone where it is. The king tells Hamlet to leave at once for England and Hamlet agrees. His friends R&G are to go with him. They have sealed orders that state that Hamlet must be put to death.

Act 4, Scene 4 Hamlet and his friends run into Prince Fortinbras who is on the way to attack Poland. Hamlet asks about the reasons for the conflict and upon hearing them becomes disgusted that so much blood will be lost for such a small issue. He feels disgusted with himself that he has not carried out his revenge and declares that he "his thoughts will be bloody."

Act 4 Scene 5 The queen is discussing Ophelia with Horatio. Ophelia enters and she seems to have gone mad. She is singing strange songs and is adorned with flowers. Laertes returns with a group of commoners saying that he will avenge his father's death. Laertes sees Ophelia and gets even madder. He agrees to listen to the King's version of what happened.

Act 4 Scene 6 Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet. Hamlet says that his ship was captured by pirates who have returned him to Denmark. Horatio takes the sailors to the King and Queen as directed by Hamlet and then goes to pick Hamlet up.

Act 4 Scene 7 Claudius tells Hamlet that he did not punish Hamlet for Polonius' murder because the common people and the queen love him. The king receives Hamlet's message which says he will be arriving the next day. Laertes is glad because he wants Revenge and the king encourages him. The two form a plan that ensures Hamlet's death. Gertrude arrives and says that Ophelia has drowned. Laertes is even more mad.

Act 5 Scene 1 Ophelia's grave is being shoveled. Hamlet and Horatio watch from afar. The grave digger and Hamlet talk, but the grave digger does not realize who is he talking to. People enter for the funeral and Hamlet wonders who has died. He finally realizes it is Ophelia. Laertes jumps into the grave to hug his sister and Hamlet declares his love for Ophelia. The two fight in the grave. The king and queen come to the conclusion that Hamlet is mad.

Act 5 Scene 2 Hamlet tells Horatio how he escaped the King's plans. He replaced the envelope that ordered Hamlet's execution with an envelope that ordered G&R's execution. Hamlet says that Lartes desire to kill him is similar to his desire to kill the King. Someone comes and informs Hamlet that the King wants him to fence with Laertes. Horatio advises against it but Hamlet goes. Hamlet asks for forgiveness from Laertes, blaming his madness. King says if Hamlet wins then he will give special wine to Hamlet. This is the poisoned wine. Hamlet hits Laertes twice but refuses to drink from the cup. The queen drinks from it. The queen is poisoned. Laertes is poisoned. Hamlet kills the King. Hamlet is dying, he tells Horatio to live on and tell the story. Hamlet makes Fortinbras King of Denmark then dies. Horatio says he will tell Fortinbras the story that led to everyones death.

Jennifer P.