HamLog+Sarah

** Hamlet Log ** Entries: For each summarize each scene, then for each READING ASSIGNMENT do a minimum of THREE of the following: 1) Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene? 2) Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question. 3) Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them. 4) Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene. 5) Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion. 6) 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. 7) At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other?

3/31/2010
 * Reading Assignment #1 –– Hamlet 1.1.1~ 1.2.260**

1) Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene? -The significance of this scene probably lies at the appearance of the ghost. Without the ghost there won't be a clear reason for the behavior of Hamlet's latter actions.

2) Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question. -Polonius: what role will you take in the play? will the return of his son Laertes to France affect the plot later on?

3) Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them. "Season your admiration for a while With an attent ear, till I may deliver, Upon the witness of these gentlemen, This marvel to you." (193-195) Definitely one of my favorite lines in scene II. It helps the readers await for the scene in which Hamlet hears the news of his father's ghost. And I love the way Shakespeare phrased the sentence "season your admiration for a while with an attent ear"

The play starts out as four guards Bernardo, Francisco, Horatio and Marcellus see an apparition of the dead King of Denmark. Seeing the fearsome image of the ghost, the guards decide to tell Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, of his father's ghost.
 * Act 1 Scene 1 Summary**

**Act 1 Scene 2 Summary** In scene II, Relationships between each character are revealed: Claudius has taken the throne of his dead brother, King Hamlet, by marrying his brother's wife Gertrude. At the sight of this remarriage young Hamlet is dismayed and wants to leave the country but is persuaded by his mother's plead to stay. Still mourning for his father's dead, young Hamlet hears the news of his father's apparition from Horatio and promises to be there at night.

4/5/2010 **Reading Assignment #2 -- Hamlet 1.2.260 ~ 1.5 **

1) Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene? - The three scenes from 1.2~1.5 seem to be a significant turning point for many characters. For Ophelia, readers learn that she'll try to restrain her feelings for Hamlet, and we also learn that Hamlet will now seek for a revenge. These scenes set the purpose and justifies the actions of the characters in the latter part of the play.

3) Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them. "So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word. It is “Adieu, adieu. Remember me.”I have sworn ’t" (111-113) . I felt that this line is the turning point in Hamlet's mind. As he swears to revenge for his father, the play takes a rapid turn.

 4) Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene. -Ophelia, why are you so docile and submissive? Are you willing to ignore your emotions that easily?

Third scene opens as Laertes, Polonius' son, bids his farewells to his sister Ophelia before setting out to France. While asking Ophelia to write to him, Laertes warns Ophelia not to be guile with Hamlet's vows and loving words. Polonius soon enters, and after blessing his son for the leave, also disapproves of Ophelia's affections for Hamlet.
 * Act** **1 Scene 3 Summary**

Keeping his words from scene 2, Hamlet joins the guards to see dead King Hamlet's apparition. Sure enough, the ghost appears again and motions Hamlet to follow him. Fearing Hamlet's safety, the guards try to stop Hamlet, but Hamlet blindly follows the ghost.
 * Act 1 Scene 4 Summary**

The ghost, confirming that he himself is indeed a ghost of King Hamlet and is doomed for purgatory, tells Young Hamlet that he has been murdered by his own brother, Claudius. Horrified by the idea that his uncle poisoned his father by pouring a vial of poison in King Hamlet's ears, young Hamlet swears to bring a revenge.
 * Act 1 Scene 5 Summary**

4/6/2010
 * Reading Assignment #3 -- Hamlet 2.1.1 ~3.1**

2) Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question. -What's the importance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's roles? Wasn't Horatio enough? Or are they just there so that Hamlet could convey his feelings?

3) Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them. -"Love? His affections do not that way tend. Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little,Was not like madness. There’s something in his soulO'er which his melancholy sits on brood,And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose Will be some danger" (163-168) I thought this line was quite significant for Claudius has now begun suspect Hamlet. This probably will be the first step that leads to a conflict between Claudius and Hamlet.

7) At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other? **HAMLET** -Character Collage created by Sarah Jang via []

The setting is now changed to Polonius' house. Suspicious about his son's behaviors and wish to go to Paris, Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to find out what his son is doing in Paris. Reynaldo will try to get close to Laertes and find out, as Polonius assumes, the real reason Laertes left for France. On the other hand, Hamlet dresses crazy and visits Ophelia. Ophelia is shocked by Hamlet's appearance and actions and rushes to her father to tell him about Hamlet.
 * Act 2 Scene 1 Summary**

Second scene starts out with the visits from Hamlet's two old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. As the two friends are greeted by Claudius and Gertrude, Polonius enters with two reports: the first concerns Norway; the second concerns Hamlet. Claudius is informed that the King of Norway has agreed to suppress his nephew young Fortinbras' challenges against Denmark, and that Hamlet has gone mad after being rejected by Ophelia.
 * Act 2 Scene 2 Summary**

Act one starts out with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern telling Claudius and Gertrude about Hamlet's condition. To find out the cause of Hamlet's madness, Claudius and Polonius decides to set Hamlet up and encounter Ophelia while secretly listening to their conversation. Hamlet, as he sees Ophelia, once again acts mad and tells her to go to the nunnery all the while Claudius suspects that there might be some other reason (than Hamlet's love for Ophelia) that caused Hamlet's madness.
 * Act 3 Scene 1 Summary**

4/13/2010
 * Reading Assignment #4 -- Hamlet 3.2**

1) It is obvious to the audience that Hamlet is alone onstage. What else, then, does he mean when he begins, “Now I am alone”? -The term "alone," just like many other words in Shakespeare's play, holds a double meaning. Hamlet declares that "Now I am alone" before the soliloquy begins, but it also means that he no longer has anyone he can relate to or comfort in. Not only is Hamlet left alone for his soliloquy but he also feels emotionally alone, without any companions to understand him.

2) Why is the Prince calling himself a “rogue” and “peasant slave”? -He refers to himself as a "rogue" and a "peasant slave" because throughout the play he has never been truly honest with his emotions-- despite his love for Ophelia, Hamlet must keep his feelings to himself, and he lives as a puppet of the Old King's ghost. This idea of not being able to live up to his real feelings is also a reason Hamlet compares himself to the playe. Hamlet compares himself to an actor of a staged scene, unable to live for himself but under the influence of others and caught in a tragic situation of betrayal and irony.
 * Hamlet compares himself to the playe. What does this comparison reveal about Hamlet’s self-perception?

3) Throughout the play, much violence is done to ears. How does Hamlet’s “cleave the general ear” relate to other “ear” references? Shakespeare uses the word ear twenty-seven times in this play. Do any of these resonate with you? -It didn't really resonate with me, but I guess the word ear is used to hint King Hamlet's death and the violence.

4) Hamlet uses a lot of theatrical terminology in his speech. Find some examples (“cue,” “satage,” “play”). Why might Hamlet be thinking in theatrical terms? -Again, the theatrical terms that Hamlet use reflect Hamlet's current confusion in his identity-- his disability to act upon his own emotions lead him to relate to the destined endings of the actors.

5) Find lines or phrases that explain why Hamlet thinks himslef a coward. Do you think he is a coward, or is he acting cautiously by looking for external evidence to prove Claudius’s guilt? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pith and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action. (line 84-89, Act 3 Scene 1) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Scene 2 starts out as Hamlet prepares the actors for a play that's based on the story of Claudius and Gertrude. As the play begins Claudius and Gertrude enter, and the actors act out the scene of King Hamlet's death and the betrayal of the queen. After watching the scene Claudius turns pale and leave the theater, leaving Hamlet assured that Claudius indeed is the killer.
 * Act 3 Scene 2 Summary**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">4/10/2010
 * Reading Assignment #5 -- Hamlet Act 3 Scene 3**

1. What has Claudius decided to do with Hamlet? Who will go with him? What "theoretical" message about kingship does Rosencrantz tell to Claudius? -Claudius has decided to send Hamlet to England. Rosencrantz and and Guildenstern will follow him. Rosencrantz tells Claudius that when a king-- King Hamlet-- dies, there can be a huge chaos to everyone in the country.

2. Where is Polonius going? -Polonius goes to Gerturde's room to listen to the conversation.

3. What does Claudius admit in his attempt to pray? Has the play actually had an effect on him? Why can't he ask for forgiveness? -Claudius admits that he is indeed a murderer of his own brother. The play made him reflect on the situations and gave him a sense of guilt, but he can't ask for forgiveness because he is unwilling to throw away his "crown, ambition, and queen" even though he feels guilty.

In Scene 3, readers are confirmed that Claudius has indeed killed his own brother to steal the throne. After watching the play, Claudius decides to send Hamlet along with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Then he goes to pray for forgiveness, while Hamlet secretly watches him to kill Claudius but decides that the time is not right for Claudius is praying.
 * Act 3 Scene 3 Summary**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">4/20/2010
 * Reading Assignment #6 -- Hamlet Act 4**

Character Questions **LAERTES**: 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? -By the way Laertes was surrounded by his followers and attempted to confront Claudius right away, I was able to see that he's respected by those around him and has a rash personality. I also sensed that due to his rashness he can be a bit gullible, as he was easily persuaded by Claudius.

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? -From his brash and impulsive actions, I could see that he really wishes to avenge for his father and sister's death.

3. How does your character feel about the events in Act 4? about Hamlet? -In Act 4, Laertes's life is seriously torn apart. His father, Polonius, is killed by Hamlet and Ophelia has committed a suicide. Laertes blames Hamlet for the downfall of his family and loathes Hamlet for the the series of tragedies.

4. What do other characters say about your character and how do they react to him? How does your character feel about other characters? -Laertes is well respected by those around him for not only his status but his character. With Claudius, Laertes is mad at first but is soon persuaded by his coaxing words and falls into his hands.

5. How does your character affect the events of each scene in which he appears? How is he affected by the events? -Laertes is a definite foil to Hamlet and therefore creates a twist of his own in the play. Just like Hamlet wishes to avenge for his own father, Laertes wishes to avenge for his dead father-- whom Hamlet has killed-- and affects the events by creating a tension with Hamlet.

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? -From Laertes, readers see a twist in Hamlet's plans. To Hamlet, Laertes is an unexpected variable to his plan, and in act 4 where things are getting set up for the final stage of revenge in Act 5, Laertes plays an important role by putting himself in a similar position to that of Hamlet.

7. What questions are raised by your character's words and/or behavior in this act? -I don't understand why Laertes is so respected by his social circles. He's been in France the whole time, and hasn't done anything praise worthy. Are the respects that he receives just a quality that Shakespeare gave so he can be a foil to Hamlet?

8. What was unexpected? What questions that you've previously had are answered by your character's words and /or behavior in this act? -Nothing was really unexpected except for everyone's respect towards Laertes. What has he done to deserve such praise?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">4/22/2010
 * Reading Assignment #7 -- Hamlet Act 5 Scene 1**

4) Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene. -

5) Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion. - 6) 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.

Hamlet has come back from England, and while walking with Horatio sees two clowns digging a grave for Ophelia. The two clowns start to sing as they dig the grave, talking about the right of Christian burial and Hamlet's absence. Soon, however, as Claudius, Gertrude, and Laertes enter to mourn for Ophelia, Hamlet learns that the burial is for Ophelia and comes forth. Laertes then jumps at the sight of Hamlet and threatens him. Asserting that they both love Ophelia more, Hamlet and Laertes are broken off by Claudius.
 * Act 5 Scene 1 Summary**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">4/25/2010
 * Reading Assignment #8 -- Hamlet Act 5 Scene 2**

5) Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion.

6) 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.

7) At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Character Collage Created by Sarah Jang via []

Hamlet tells Horatio how he got out alive from England. Then Osric enters and invites Hamlet over to a duel with Laertes, saying that Claudius has bet for Hamlet's victory. The fight begins, and Claudius has planned to kill hamlet by poisoning the drink in the goblet. Hamlet, however, does not drink, and Gertrude instead meets her death from the poison. Hamlet is also stabbed by poisoned blade of Laertes, and Laertes too dies in the end confessing the poisoned blade.
 * Act 5 Scene 2 Summary**

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 * <span style="background-color: #ff00ff; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">End of The Log **