DRJ #3: Hamlet, Act 3

My initial reaction was relief. I was glad that Hamlet had gotten his answer about Claudius with the play, happy to see him call out his mother with harsh words, relieved to see him have the initiative to kill the mal behind the curtain, for at the time, could have been anyone. I was especially glad to see Hamlet come forward with his distrust for those who seemed closest to him, the trust is being revealed.

            I chose to analyze Gertrude because although Hamlet promised his father, (the late Hamlet) he would not hurt her in anyway, it seems that all he has done this scene is destroy her emotionally. But this scene especially shows her thoughts, feelings, and actions being controlled. Throughout the play the role of the woman has been put down, but in Act 3, Scene 4 it stands out; no matter how Hamlet had acted she had followed by him, and was so quick to see his point of view and accept it for truth.

            The theme that stood out for Act 3 was definitely revenge and forgiveness. Hamlet’s plans are finally beginning to unravel and at this point everybody involved can only watch. Since he had viewed the reaction of his uncle to the play revenge seems to be the only thing in mind. He brought out his dagger and planned to kill him, but only refused with the sight of Claudius praying. He was eager to kill whoever stood behind the curtain, and Gertrude was eager to forgive her son for whatever he may have done, and the murder she saw him commit. 

DRJ #2: Hamlet, Act 2

My initial reaction to Act 2 would have to be that Hamlet has gone mad with confusion. In scene 1 when Ophelia describes Hamlet when he came to her in her room, not taking his eyes off of her, finding his way out of the room without looking at a door, it made me believe that maybe he was deeply in love with her. Scene 2 made me believe that he had gone completely mad, due to his ramblings, and his answers to Polonius.

For this character analysis I am choosing to focus on Claudius. Although his part was not big in this Act, I did notice something that could lead to trouble in future acts. During scene 2, Voltemand and Cornelius return with news from the King of Norway.  Although the news is good, in terms of the attack against them they had been worried about has now been brought to the attention of the king and been shut down, the king still wishes to attack Poland, which sends the troops through Denmark. Claudius does not see an issues with this, yet is more concerned over Hamlet’s ill will. Since we have learned that he is the one who killed late Hamlet I don’t see his feelings of concern to be true, and am wondering what he is truly focused on learning.

For this scene I’d like to focus on the theme of deceit and deception. I noticed it throughout the play but in this scene it seemed to be bluntly placed. Characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two of Hamlets close friends have been brought by the king and queen to spy on Hamlet, and although they do as told, when Hamlet asks why they have come, they do not try hard to keep their secret that they had been sent. They are true friends and cannot deceive Hamlet. Yet his mother and father were trying to deceit him and have been trying to find ways of spying and have conjured up a plan to see if he is mad with love or just mad. 

DRJ #1: Hamlet, Act I

My initial reaction to Hamlet, Act One was confusion. Although I am still not used to old English, I believe I am starting to make sense of it. As of now, this act has only reminded me of a soap opera, with all of the drama that has been portrayed. With the mother marrying her dead husband’s brother, whom we learn has killed the king, and now the son must get revenge on his father’s death. Hamlet is the son of the late great king Hamlet. I believe his fatal flaw is trusting his new “father,” or the new king and staying home instead of going back to his studies. Although he does fit Aristotle’s description of a tragic hero his greater good could kill him in the end. He is bothered by his uncle’s comments on why he is still mourning over his father’s death, and how there is no question to why his mother and uncle have already gotten married two months after his father’s death. The theme of life and death is brought up in this act a few times. With the death of the late king Hamlet, comes the life of Hamlet’s mother and uncle’s marriage, “With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage” (line 12) King Claudius, we learn killed his brother the late Hamlet, and probably plans to kill Hamlet as well.  I believe Shakespeare is trying to make a point that with every death a new life begins. Death is all around us and cannot be escaped by any.