All You Need to Know About Hamlet

                                                  About The Author
   Church records indicate that William Shakespeare was baptised in Stratsford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire on April 26, 1564. April 23 is widely accepted as his date of birth. His father was a respected tradesmen (a glover who was involved in a variety of commercial activities) who held several important municipal offices.
   Shakespeare was probably educated in at the local grammar school. He would have viewed local theatrical productions by by groups of travelling players. When he was 18 he married the 26 year old Anne Hathaway. In may of 1583 she gave birth to their first daughter, Susanna. In 1585, twins, nammed Hamnet and Judith, were born. shorly thereafter, Shakespeare left Stratsford. It is speculated that he was fleeing prosecution for poaching deer on the property of a local nobleman.
   By about 1587he had arrived in London and begun his carrer as an actor and playwright. His success earned him the jealousy of rivals sugh as Richard Greene who condemned him as "an upstart crow" in 1952.
   in 1954, Shakespeare joined The Chamberlain's Men, a theatrical company which enjoyed the patronage of the royal court. It is believed that he was instrumental in enabling his father to recieve a grant of arms from the College of Heralds in 1596. The following year he purchased New Place, one of the largest houses in Stratsford. He was one of the proprietors of the Globe Theatre which was built in 1599.
   Although he continued to contribute to the thatre in London until 1614, Shakespeare moved back to Stratsford in 1610. He died on April 23, 1616 of a fever contracted afer an evening of entertaining fellow writers, Ben Jonson and Micheal Drayton, in his home. He was buried on April 25 in Holy Trinity Church in Stratsford.

Interview Questions and Results

1. Do you believe Gertrude played a part in the murder of Old Hamlet? Why or why not?
Yes, my belief that Gertrude fell out of love with Old Hamlet and into lust with Claudius. Because Claudius was so full of jealousy and envy(because he wanted to be king), and Gertrude was blinded by lust, Claudius Claudius developed a plan to murder Old Hamlet, marry Gertrude, and become king. However, I do believe that Gertrude regrets ever-even hearing of this plan and wishes that she could turn back time and never let this have happened.

2. Do you believe the relationship between Claudius and Gertrude should be thought of as incestous ? Why or why not?
No, I do not view this relationship as incestuous. The two are of no blood relation and therefore have a perfectly legal relationship.

3. Is Hamlet truly in love with Ophelia or is he just playing games? Explain.
In my personal opinion Hamlet was in lust with Ophelia, and may have even loved her, but he was not in love with her there is the catch. I think that loving someone can be as simple as caring for them in an emotional sense. Being in love with someone is totally different - it is having so much compassion and feeling for them you can't even beging to describe it - it is more than caring, it is willing to give up your own life to save theirs. Hamlet didn't have this for Ophelia. Hamlet loved Ophelia when it was conveniet for him - when he needed to feel close to someone he cared for - when he still had trust in love and passion and was not fearful of betrayal or deceit.

4. Has Hamlet truly gone mad or is he putting on a show? Why do you feel this way?
I feel Hamlet is playing mad. He studies plays, so this is a piece of cake for him for him to do. The madness is used to find out where his true friends lie, to escape from the reality for a time, as a motive or a cover.

5. In Act 1 Scene 3 we see Polonius still sheltering Ophelia from the world. He is showing her how much he wants her to remain his little girl. But when it comes to Laertes, he is ready and willing to let him do his own thing. How often do we see this double standard in today's society?
Oh, all the time. I went through this standard with my family. I had curfews, resrictions on where I could go and whom I could see - where as my brothers pretty much just did, saw, and went as they pleased. But I think that is natural because girls are thought to be the babies - they are more willing top go along with others and the ones concidered to be more fragile.

6. How do you feel about Polonius' political side vs. his more conniving side which we get a peak at in Act 2 Scene 1?
I think Polonius is a simple fool on his political side. His conniving side, however, is where his wit lies. Although he rambles on in whichever role he is playing, political or conniving, he knows how to get what he wants and he has the means to do so when he is scheming.

7. Explain how you feel about the comparison between the backstabbing, deceitful political acts that are made between then and now.
There is full comparison! Though the times have changed to being more modern the deciet is still the same. The only difference I see between the two is that the deceit being done is more modernized, but the same reasons and intenions are there.

8. Explain how people's actions differ between Elizabethan times and modern times in the areas of lust, betrayal, deceit, adultry, murder, vengence and scandal.
It's like I said before, there is almost a complete compairson and similarity between the two time periods. I do, however, feel that the manner in which people solve these issues today is definitely with more drastic and violent measures.

                                          Shakespeare's Other Works
Cyrano de Bergerac:
     This is one of William Shakespeare's many plays. It is a comedy and is quite full of many laughs. It is about a man, Cyrano, who was born with an unusually large nose. He is in love with the beautiful Roxanne. However, Roxanne just so happens to be in love with a handsome, yet rather stiupid, man. This man also loves Roxanne and asks Cyrano to help him get her love. Cyrano writes love letters to Roxanne, from the other man, using his wit and beautiful words. It becomes one big mess but is all figured out in the end. Read the play to find out what happens.
A Midsummer Night's Dream:
     This is another play by Shakespeare. It is known as a satire which is a comedy. It is extremely funny and will make anyone laugh. It is about love and special spells cast by the malicious Puck. It consists of one giant love triangle which is the basic idea that this person loves this one but she loves someone else and he has different feelings for a different girl. When all of the spells are thrown in things become jumbled even more.
Romeo and Juliet:
One of Shakepeares better known plays is about a boy and a girl who are in love (the story of two star crossed lovers). The two are forced to keep it quiet due to the fueuding between their families. In devising a way to be with one another, the plan somehow aquires a mishap and causes them both to meet their doom.
Macbeth:
In this play the main character Macbeth encounters three witches who tell him a prophecy, then disappear. When Lady Macbeth is informed of the events she pushes Macbeth to make sure he gains the thrown and the power. Macbeth is reluctant to cause Duncan any harm but when Duncan visits the castle he changes his mind. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth make up a plot. They plan to get the attendants drunk, stab Duncan and then plant the dagger on the gaurds. After a dream Macbeth realizes he would feel guilty if he killed Duncan. Lady Macbeth then takes matters into her own hands. The death of Duncan makes Macbeth king. Later, he is in a battle and no one can kill him. Macduff tells Macbeth he will kill him. Macbeth says it is impossible according to the witches prophecy. Macduff does slay Macbeth in the end. But how? you will have to read the play to find out.

Here is a list of vocabulary terms that you might not be familiar with.
Amble - to walk at a leisurely pace.
Apolex - sudden loss of muscular control with loss of sensation of consciousness.
Calumny - a false statement maliciously made to injure someone.
Capon - a part of; to take apart
Ducat - various gold coins used in Europe.
Epitaph - an inscription on a tombstone of one buried there
Fetter - a chain or shackle attached to the ankles to restrain movement.
Hent - to take hold of, seize
Inoculate - to communicate a disease by transfering its virus into the body.
Jig - a trick or caper
Paddock - a fenced area used for grazing or exercising horses.
Orison - a prayer
Petard - a small bell shaped bomb used to breach a gate or wall.
Pomp - dignified or magnificent display.
Vantage - superiority.
Visage - the appearance of.

                                         Literary Devices from Act III
Allusion:
   Scene III. lines 37-38
     "It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brothers murder." (to Cain)
   Scene IV. line 51
     "as against the doom," (to day of judgement)
   Scene IV. line 57
     "Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself," (to the sun god and Jove)
Hyperbole:
   Scene I. line 4
     "With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?"
   Scene II. lines 125-26
     "For look how cheerful my mother looks, and my father has died within's two hours."
   Scene III. line 20
     "To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things"
Imagery:
   Scene I. line 84
     "To grunt and sweat under a weary life
   Scene II. line 61
     "No, let the candid tongue lick absurd pomp,"
   Scene III. line 83
     "He took my father grossly, full of bread,"
Metaphor:
   Scene I. ine 35
     "he is behaved,"
   Scene I. line 71
     "Th' oppressor's wrong,"
   Scene I. line 74
     "That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,"
Personification:
   Scene II. line 18
     "the modesty of nature."
   Scene II. lines 64-65
     "A man that Fortune's buffets and reward / Hast ta'en with equal thanks;"
   Scene IV. line 60
     "on a heaven-kissing hill"
Similie:
   Scene II. lines 20-21
     "as 'twere, the mirror up to nature,"
   Scene II. line 38
     "If like a crab you could go backward."
   Scene IV. line 64
     "An eye like Mars."
Tone:
   Scene II. lines 224-25
     "Have you heard the argument? Is there no offense in't?" (tense tone)
   Scene III. line 36
     "O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;" (regretful tone)
   Scene IV. lines 22-23
     "What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me? Help, ho!" (intense tone)

                                                  Character Analysis
Hamlet:
   Hamlet, the protaganist in one of William Shakespeare's greatest plays, is very sly, witty, debonair and cunning character. Alll of these personality traits are shown when we see that Hamlet delays in killing Claudius.
   Hamlet delays in killing Claudius because he knows he has to do it at the right time. If he killed him right away he could be sent to prison or people might think that he is crazy.
   Hamlet wants to kill Claudius to avenge his fathers deth and also because he stole his crown and committed incest. Hamlet is a very witty character and he wants to kill Claudius in the right way at the right time. Hamlet knowsthat he must not act in haste but come up with a plan. Hamlet wants everyone to know that there is a good reason to kill Claudius. Also he wants to make sure that Claudius burns in hell insted of going to Heaven. Hamlet delaysbecause he wants Claudius to admit that he murdered old Hamlet. This is why Hamlet acts crazy in the play.
Horatio:
   Horatio plays Hamlet's best friend in the play. The two share a very special bond. Horatio is trustworthy, noble, kind and helpful. Horatio is really the only one that Hamlet can trust.
   Horatio shows how trustworthy he is because he knows that Hamlet isn't reallly crazy, he is just acting, and he keeps it a secret. He sees that their friendship is special and he in turn is very noble to Hamlet. Horatio helps Hamlet by carefully wathcing Clausius' reaction to the the play "The Mousetrap" to confirm what Hamlet believes. Also Horatio is the one who originally brought Hamlet to the ghost. When Hamlet talked to the ghost Horatio promised to keep it an absolute secret. Horatio should be held in very high standards for all the things he has done for Hamlet. He is like the epitome of friendship.
Laertes:
   In the begining of the play Laertes is potrayed as a total hypocrite. Later on you see him as angry and emotional. Even though he doesn't appear a lot in the play he is still a fairly complex character.
   Early in the play Laertes tells his sister that she shouldn't be with Hamlet. He says that she will only be used and will get the name of a slut because Hamlet doesn't really love her. After giving Ophelia this long speech about not having sex and being careful Laertes knows he is going to do exactly the opposite. He is all good talk and poor action. What a hypocrite!
   In the end we see a totally different side. Laertes is completly full of rage and anger when he finds out about his father's death. When you see this it is really hard to really analize who Laertes really is.
Polonius:
   Polonius is not exactly what you see him as. Most people view Polonis only as a babbling father that makes no sense. This isn't necessarily true. Polonius is actually a ery scheming character and hides it well.
   When Polonis is tlking away at Laertes he actually says something very important. He tells Laertes "to your own self be true," which means be true to yourself and you will be fine, don't change who you are. The problem is that is Takes Polonius forever to reach this good point.
    Sometimes it is not Polonius words that make him clever but also his actions and ideas. Polonius realizes that idf Hamlet married his daughter it would increase his power greatly. This is why he tells the King that he belives Hamlet has gone mad for Ophelia's love. He is try to make everything work towards his advantage.
   Polonius has to be looked at carefully to really see what he is thinking. He is a character who relates to the saying "don't judge a book by it cover."
Claudius:
   The character Claudius is very self centered. He doesn't care who he hurts or what he does as long as he gets something beneficial to him out of it. Also, he is very manipulative.
   You can tell right away that Claudius is fake when he tells Hamlet how much he cares about him. You can tell right away that he is very self centered. First off, he poisons his brother so he can get the throne and all of his power. Next, he hops in bed with his brothers wife. Then, he tries to ship Hamlet off to England. He writes the King of England that Hamlet needs to be executed. Then, he manipulates Laertes into thinking that Hamlet brutally murdered Polonius on pupose. Claudius is the type of character that you hate and you can't wait to see what goes around comes around.

Related topic - Suicide
The World Heath Organization (WHO) estimated in 1997 that each year about 786,000 people commit suicide around the world. This statistic is equivalent to one suicide every 40 seconds somwhere in the world. This statistic ignores gender but generally the female suicide rate is significanly lower. About 44% of the world's suicides take place in China despite the fact that it only holds 22% of the world's population. Unlike the global statistic the chinese statistics split gender. China has a significant amount of female suicides, which is especially odd in Western countries. The scary thing is that it is estimated by WHO that by 2020 more than 534,000 suicides will take place each year in China alone. The good thing is some places have vey low suicide rates. In Mexico the rates are: 0.3/100,000/yr for females and 4.6/100,000/yr for males. Many things have an affect on the time of suicide. One other odd statistic is the fact that more suicides occur in the colder months of the year.

                                                   Act III Summary
   In act III we see a lot of action through the four scenes. We see relationships between the characters change dramatically.
   First, in scene I we see the relationship that Ophelia and Hamlet had change. Hamlet tells her that he did love her once, but that love is gone now. This just causes Hamlet to go more insane. The king and Polonius have decided that if Hamlet does not show signs of improvement they are going to send him on a journey to England that would hopefully bring him back to normal.
   In scene II all of the main characters are at the play the "Mousetrap." We see the king get very disturbed by the scene in the play that re-enacts the murder of Old Hamlet. Hamlet has Horatio watch te king's behavior during this scene. The King rises to his feet and Polonius yells, "Stop the play," which causes all of this chaos.
   In scene III, the King confesses to the heavens that he is a murderer and asks if there is a way he can get to heaven. Hamlet finds Claudius praying and was about to kill him which would have been the perfect opportunity but he doesn't.
   A lot of action takes place in scene IV. Hamlet goes to speak to his mother and Polonius is hiding to overhear their conversation. Polonius speaks behind the curtains and and Hamlet stabs him not knowing it was Polonius, he assumed it was the king. So the queen witnesses how disturbed her son really is. Hamlet informs her that he wants her to have nothing to do with Claudius. The ghost appears and Hamlet is talking to it, but Gertrude can not see it. The ghost reminds Hamlet that he still has to kill Claudius. The queen is in an utter state of bewilderment.

Personal Impressions
ACT III SCENE I

~This scene is significant because his ineraction with Ophelia really shows the depth of his "acting" or true madness.
~Ophelia if you are trying to help him out of his madness, then why would you bring up subjects that you know will only cause him pain and turn pain into madness? What are you really trying to do? Hamlet do not let her get to you. You will only give yourself away
~Polonius "Tis much proved, that with devotion's visage And pious action we do suger o'er The devil himself." I love this quote because it is so true. Even in this day and age it is true. So many people act all sweet and innocent and claim to go to church. Yet, they will cheat, get drunk and do stupis things. Yet, they think they are still good people. Little angles with horns holding up their halos.

ACT III SCENE II

~This is the scene in which Hamlet reveals to Claudius that he killed his father. Not only does he know he did it but he also knows how, when and where. This is shown through the play. During the conversation Claudius gives signs of being very disturbed but plays it off well
~Hamlet and the king have a very complicated relationship. They never give eachother a straight answer. They always play wordgames.
~The more I read this play the more I enjoy the character Hamlet. In all of the plays I have read I have never met a character as keen, witty and sly as Hamlet. I loved it when he revealed that the name of the play was the "Mousetrap." How brilliant was that.

ACT III SCENE III

~The significance of this scene is to show that Hamlet is not crazy by thinking his uncle murdered his father, because the King comes out and admits he is murdered Sr. Hamlet. Now he is not sure how he is going to get to heaven because no prayer fits his situation he is in. He prays and asks for forgiveness.
~ I didn't really understand Hamlet's actions in this scene when he found the King knelling and praying confessing to the sin he committed. I thought it was the perfect opportunity for Hamlet to kill Claudius, but obviously Hamlet didn't think it was.
~I think that Polonius is trying to suck up to the king for his own benifit. He always wants to do something for him. He is always by his side and listening to Hamlet's conversations. I think the king is only using him. I am not really sure what is exactly going on between the two of them.

ACT III SCENE IV

~ If I was Gertrude I would just about be ready to kill myself so I wouldn't have to deal with all the chaos. Her son is crazy and just murdered Polouius which she witnessed and now Hamlet is talking to an invisible something. Hamlet has ordered her not to sleep with Claudius and wants her to inform him that she's not allowed to see him. What a horrible life to live.
~I enjoyed the line "Mother, you have my father much offended," stated by Hamlet. It shows the anger that Hamlet is trying to project ont his mother. He is finally showing how furious he is about his mothers actions. Also, Hamlet lets her know that his real father is Old Hamlet and that all of her actions have offended him.
~I was really suprised that Hamlet really killed Polonius. That was something that I was definitly not expecting. I mean what if it wouldn't have been Polonius, what if it had been hHoration then he would have felt rally guilty. This was a big twist in the play. I wouldn't have expected Polonius to die first,

                                   Brief Translations of Quotes from Act III
Act III Scene I:
"To be or not to be, that is the question,"
    This famous solioquy is all about whether it is better to live with the pain or to just end your life all together.
"Heavenly powers, restore him!"
    Ophelia is praying to god to restore Hamlet to his normal state. She wishes that he was not mad. Little does she know he is acting
Act III Scene II:
"I hope we have reformed the indifferently with us sir."
    The player is saying that he hopes to perform the play exactly to Hamlet's liking.
"They are coming to the play. I must be idle."
    This shows the friendship and trust between Hamlet and Horatio. Horatio is the only one that knows Hamlet's plan and that he is only acting crazy.
"The Mousetrap - marry, how tropically."
    This shows Hamlet's wit. He tells the king the name of the play is the mousetrap which is a catchy title. Really it is the name of Hamlet's plan.
Act III Scene III:
"O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;"
    Here Claudius is stating, in a soliloquy, that what he did was horrible of him.
"With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May;"
    Hamlet is pinning down Claudius and saying that he knows wha he has done.
Act III Scene IV:
"A rhapsody of words!"
    Hamlet is telling the Queen that here wedding vows are only fancy words.
"In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love Over the nasty sty!"
   Hamlet is telling the queen that she should feel guily about her affair.
"Assume a virtue, if you have it not?"
    Hamlet is insulting the queen and saying that she has no good qualities about her.

Relationships
This gives some insight into the relationships between different main characters.
Laertes and Ophelia
~Laertes gives Ophelia advice, he's a typical older brother.
~Ophelia tells laertes that he needs to follow his own advice.
Laertes and Polonius
~Polonis gives Laertes long speeches about what to do.
~Laertes is annoyed by his father's verbose language.
Ophelia and Polonius
~Polonius wants to shadow ant protect Ophelia.
~Ophelia is very obediant towards her father.
Claudius, Gertrude and Hamlet
~Claudius pretends to like Hamlet.
~Gertrude wants Hamlet to accept Claudius.
~Hamlet wants nothing to do with Claudius.
~Hamlet is disturbed by Gertrude because of her recent actions.
Young Hamlet, Old Hamlet and Gertrude
~Young Hamlet is seeing the ghost of Old Hamlet.
~Old Hamlet directs Young Hamlet what to do.
~Old Hamlet is also angry with Gertrude.
~Gertrude is already over Old Hamlet's death.

How Horatio Affects the Play
Horatio is the one and only person that Hamlet knows he can rely on. He is Hamlet's only hope of avenging his father's death. Basically, Horatio's only motavation throughout the play is to assist Hamlet and be a loyal friend. He is a very selfless character. He plans to help Hamlet every step of the way. In act IV Horatio did not want Hamlet to be sent away so he is very glad to recieve his letters. This makes him want to help him even more because it will result in the return of his best friend. Horatio plans to do everything in his power to help Hamlet.
The other characters in the play do not really talk about Horatio with the exception of Hamlet who truly adores him. Also, Horatio does not really speak about the other characters. It seems like Horatio is a standby character. He really doesn't affect the other characters and they really don't affect him. This is call a constant character he is used to judge the changes in the other characters.