Hamlet+2.2

Hamlet 2.2

2. I think this is a very important scene in the play. I like it because it shows a lot of different perspectives. We see what Hamlet's family thinks about the way he is acting, but we also see how Hamlet personally feels. This scene shows the beginning of Hamlet's plan. He is acting crazy towards many characters. He treats Polonius in a strange matter and is almost mocking him. We see how Hamlet is acting, so we can see how his family thinks he is crazy. In the beginning of the scene, even the reader might consider Hamlet to be crazy, but we know it is apart of his plan. I like Hamlet's last speech in the scene because it shows his point of view. He is upset after hearing the story about Priam and Pyrrhus because he realizes that he has done nothing for his father. His speech truly reveals his inner feelings and shows that he is upset but he is also afraid. He is scared and is questioning the ghost. He plans a test to see if his uncle is really the murderer of his father. This scene is very important because I think it really starts to form the story line of the play. We are able to see how Hamlet is acting, the view points of his family and friends, but also his own point of view. I think it will shape the plot line nicely and the play would not be as clear if it was not there.

6. I thought Hamlet's relationship with his friends was funny. His friends are sent by the King and Queen to try and figure out what is wrong with him. As soon as they walk in Hamlet can tell what they are doing by the look on their faces. He says, "You were sent / for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks / which your modesties have not craft enough to / color. I know the good king and queen have sent for / you" (2.2.310-304). I thought this was kind of a funny part of the scene, as a break from the plot line. He tells them he is only crazy sometimes and they go on to have a normal conversation as friends. Hamlet describes how he feels to them and they try to cheer him up with some humor. The players come and interrupt this part of the scene.

5. I thought Hamlet's long speech at the end of the scene was the most interesting part. I thought it was interesting because of the way he feels. He is very confused. This confusion is ignited in him through the Priam and Pyrrhus story that the players tell. He realizes that he hasn't done anything to revenge his fathers murderer. He feels pathetic and upset. He says he needs to put his emotions aside like a prostitute does. He can not let his emotions play into his duty. He seems upset, but also angry at himself at this point since he has failed to do anything. Then he begins to realize that maybe he should question the ghost. Was this really his dad? Or was it the devil trying to ruin his life? He knows he needs more proof in order for him to be able to carry out this revenge, emotionally. He decides his plan, playing out the play of his father's death in front of his uncle, and will take action based on his uncle's reaction. I liked this speech because I think it shows a lot of realistic feelings. I think a lot of people would react in the same way to a death, and in Hamlet's case to a more complex situation. At first he feels weak and upset, but this then turns into anger and confusion. He finally gets himself slightly together and is able to form a plan.

Videos: Richard Burton- I did not like this interpretation of Hamlet's speech. I did not like the set up of the stage and I thought the actor over did the part completely. I did not like the way in which he delivered this speech. I thought it was awkward, over done, and did not properly get across Hamlet's feelings. (Video 2)- I thought this was the best interpretation of the three videos. I liked how the scene was staged and I thought the actor did a good job with his delivery. This is the video that most closely represented what I imagined when I read the scene. Ethan Hawke- I did not like this video. It seems like it would be an interesting aspect, a modern view of Hamlet, but I thought it completely misrepresented the play. I do not believe that it is meant to be modernized. It just seemed strange and awkward to me. I did not like the technology aspect added into the scene. I thought the actors delivery was not great and did not portray Hamlet's emotion in the speech.