Hamlet Videos

Zefferrelli's version of Hamlet is very different from the original script. There are deleted and added scenes, with the characters being much more passionate than I had ever imagined.
Branagh's version of Hamlet is performed exactly how the script was written, making it easier to follow along with the script. This made it more understandable for me.


Which you like best? Why?
The film I liked best was Branagh's version because it was easier to follow. If I can have a hard copy of something in front of me that follows the video verbatim, it makes it easier to understand.

Which do you think is more faithful to the spirit of the play as written and/or Shakespeare's view of theatre?
Branagh's version is more faithful to the spirit of the play written. It follows the script exactly. I think it is more faithful to Shakespeare's view of theatre because he wrote this play and would probably want it acted out as he had written it--it was written the way he wrote it for a reason.

Hamlet

Hamlet's Personality: Hamlet has an obsession over getting revenge for his father's death by killing Claudius. Hamlet is a thoughtful, reflective, philisophical man, but is also indecisive and hesitant.

Message of the play: The message is the play to me was that no matter what you do, what goes around comes around. Though Hamlet got revenge on Claudius for killing his father, Hamlet himself was killed also. In addition, Hamlet's mother assisted in King Hamlet's death, and at the end of the play, she dies herself. The dramatic elements are all very important in understanding this--or any other play. Without each of these elements, the play would cease to exist.

I think the message of this play is that no matter what, families need to stick together and work things out to protect family history. In my family there are issues such as who gets what when someone dies, and I know from experience that it is a hastle, espcially when money is involved like in this play. Protecting the family history is very important.

The elements of the play such as character, structure, staging, tone, theme contribute to the understanding and appreciation of the play because without these elements, it would not be a play. All of these play a major role in the way the play is perceived. If the characters are unstructured, interest would be immediately lost. Without the staging and setting, it would be very difficult to imagine what time period the play is, and most of all, it would probably be boring. The theme is most important element because every story needs a theme to keep the audience engaged.

Reactions to "Trifles" & "Sure Thing"

"Trifles"
The significance of this title is that women are always worried about minute litthe things in their day, not always the bigger issue or concern. With the death of her husband, Mrs. Wright is more concerned with her quilting and whether or not her jars of fruit have exploded or not than about her dead husband upstairs.

"Sure Thing"
The significance of this title is that at the beginning of the play, Bill kept saying to Betty, "Sure thing" at the end of the conversation. No matter what Betty said, Bill would reply with, "Sure thing." This shows that he is neither concerned or unconcerned with what Betty thinks of him.

Suggestions about the nature of human relationships:
This tells me that human relationships can be totally different for each person, depending on the situation. Mrs. Hale is more sympathetic towards Mrs. Wright, and Mrs. Peters is suspicious. This could because Mrs. Hale has knowng Mrs. Wright for many years and Mrs. Peters hasn't.

Do you agree or disagree with this message?
I agree with this message. Perception is a huge part of how we see people compared to other people's views.

Week 9 Poetry

The poem that I have chosen to discuss is "The Twenty-third Psalm" written by an anonymous writer.
The use of peotic elements is very important in writing because all of these elements set the mood of the entire poem.
"The Twenty-third Psalm" is very important to me because it says so many wonderful things about God and what he does for you. I have also sung this song in my music class and for a concert, and it is a very moving song. Without having sung this song and having my choral teacher interpret the words, I dont think I would have been able to identify with it as much as I do now.
For the setting, I picture someone kneeling or praying to God in a dark room, possibly in biblical times.
The tone is a soothing tone, just letting you know that God is there taking care of you every step of the way.
The language is using a metaphor, saying that the Lord IS my shepherd.
The rhythm is not distinct, but while reading it, I imagine myself singing it along with the choir, keeping the rhythm that we had while singing.
All of these elements together put together express exactly what the author is trying to get across. Without these elements, poetry would be just words on the page of a book.

Poetry Comparison

The three poems I have chosen are “A Certain Lady” by Dorothy Parker
“You Didn’t Fit” by Susan Musgrave, and “Love Poem” by Linda Pastan. All of these peoms are about love, but all about some form of love for different people in their lives.
"Love Poem" like its title has a very loving tone, happy to share feelings with her loved one. "A Certain Lady" seems that if spoken it would be a sing-songy voice reading it at the beginning, but towards the end would have a tone of deception. "You Didn't Fit" had a loving tone directed at her father, as a daughter loves her father.

Literature Blog #1

Hey,
Sorry for the confusion if anyone logged on here and was under the assumption that I didn't know what to put on here for a blog. I do know, but I didn't have my book in time, so I just put something up for the sake of putting a blog up. Now here's the real deal--my first assigned blog!

My favorite story up to this point is "Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood. I found this story to be somewhat comical. The story is important to me because in most of these little plots, there is truth to how life could possibly turn out. You win some, you lose some, but in the end everyone must eventually die.
Though the "B" part of the story is a bit vulgar, this one made me laugh hysterically. I rarely find myself reading, nonetheless laughing at a book. My favorite part of this story is, "He merely uses her body for selfish pleasure and ego gratification of a tepid kind...and after he's eaten the dinner he f***s her and after that he falls asleep."