This image is from Edward Topsell's The History of Serpents (1608) During Shakespeare's time, a sailor might fully expect to encounter such a creature.
It is suggested that you review the vocabulary each day.
Finish the rest of Act I tonight. The counselors are coming in tomorrow to speak with the class for about twenty minutes.
Parker's notes on Hamlet, so far
Act I.i. For two nights Bernardo and Marcellus have watched guard on the ramparts, for it is feared that Fortinbras the Younger, whose father had been killed in battle and also lost some land to the Danes, will seek to recapture this lost acreage. Whilst on guard they have seen a ghost that seems in the visage much like the old King Hamlet, whose demise was but three months ago.
These two have informed Horation, Hamlet's buddy and a member of a higher social class; hence what he says carries more weight. That there has been a ghose "bodes some strange eruption to our state" (I.i.80), notes Horatio. As well, when the world has been out of kilter, such as when "the mightiest Julius fell / The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead / Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets; / As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood,/ Disaster of the sun"(I.i.125-30), both entertains and entices the audience. In short Shakespeare is establishing a connection between Hamlet's father's death and other great historical events. In addition, he establishes a tie between the events of mankind and nature.
The ghost comes in, but disappears when the cock crows, or when "the morn in russet mantle clad / Walks o'er the dew of youn high eastern hill" (I.i.180-1).
Act I.ii. King Claudius has announced his marriage to "our sometime sister, now our queen, / Th' imperial jointress to this warlike state"(I.ii.8-9). So much for his "valiant brother;" on to the business of state.
We have met Laertes, the son of King Claudius' councillor Polonius. This ertwhile friend of Hamlet's has asked the king for permission to head back the school. It is given
King Claudius then importunes Hamlet to no more "persever / In obstinate condolement" (I.ii.96-7), for "'Tis unmanly grief / ...shows a will most incorrect to heaven"(I.ii.99-100). In other words, Hamlet needs to man up and accept his father's dying a natural process and that even God would be offended by his "impatient mind." Besides, now King Claudius is his father.
Note Hamlet's solioquy I.ii.(134-164) He contemplates suicide here and notes "fraility thy name is woman." It seems he has a problem with his mum- and maybe that explains his actions towards Ophelia, Polonius's daughter, Laertes' sister.
Hamlet and Horatio catch up. Hamlet isn't stupid; he knows that Horatio came for both the funeral and the wedding: "The funeral baked meats / Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables" (I.ii.187-8). Also note that Hamlet accepts his father's faults: "He was a man. Take him for all in all" (I.ii.195); still he acknowledges his father was special: "I shall not look upon his like again" (I.ii.196). So Horatio and Hamlet agree to meet upon the ramparts to talk to the ghost. Hamlet is concerned that his father's spirit is "in arms." Nothing can stop the truth from being revealed: "Foul deeds will rise,/ Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's / eyes (I.ii.279-81).
ACT ONE: SCENE 1:Interesting that the ghost the appears, comes only at night. Find it kind of to typical or expected.
ReplyDeleteSCENE 2: Ok seems more predictable and obviously the King will become one of the antagonist.
Willie said for tuesday response...Hamlet wanted more answers about this ghost that appears so he followed the ghost and talk to him. The ghost told him that what had happen to him and that his uncle killed him. Hamlet is most likely thinking Denmark throne is a fraud and killed his father. Im starting to think Horatio and Marcellus had took a little part in the death of king Hamlet becuase the were trying so hard to keep Hamlet from following the ghost but i think Hamlet got something up his sleeves becuase he made Haratio and Marecellus swear to keep everything they heard from the ghost a secret.... Willie Jones III
ReplyDeleteMy prediction is that one of the men will break their promise to Hamlet to keep his secret. Also why does Hamlet move when the ghost says "Swear."? I don't see the point in that.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how Shakespeare uses the curiosity of the characters over an apparition of hamlet Sr. He drives the audience and pulls them in over this controlling idea of being obsessed with the desire of just seeing the ghost in act 1 scene 2. The subplot of the "fraud" of the Denmark throne also drives joe the plumber into thinking that this may be more than just a drama, but possibly Hamlet has the potential to be a suspenseful thriller, so far.
ReplyDeleteKARIM
ReplyDeletemy question is
does the fact that they are under the influence of alchol affect their minds. for all they know they could just be imagining this.
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ReplyDeletethese sections really cements the new king as the protagonist, the remarks of the guards about evil daemons and ill omens for Denmark could be foreshadowing evils to come, Hamlet's quest for revenge would most certainly be the vessel for which these evils arise.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Gleason
its strange of Hamlet's mother to forbid Ophilia to asociate with Hamlet just as Laertes has, and saying the her son was being deceitful in his confesion to love her. It is also interesting that Hamlet is so unsure about where the ghost will lead to however is intregued to follow behind it anyway, Horatio and Marcellus then Follow Hamlet.
ReplyDeleteIt was strange that Hamlet was willing to risk his well-being to follow the ghost, and the warning that the ghost gives to Hamlet about his uncle I felt was predictable but I'm interested to see Hamlet's reaction.
ReplyDeleteAldin hamzabegovic
ReplyDeletei know that laertes and polonius want whats best for ophelia, but why do they discourage ophelia from falling in love with hamlet, so much. it seems as if they dont trust him. i'm curious to see how the relationship between hamlet and ophelia plays out at the end.
Question(s):
ReplyDelete1. Why does Laertes father agree with Laertes' advice for Ophelia to cease speaking to Hamlet? (Scene 3)
Comments:
(Scene 3) It's funny, in a non-literal way, how Polonius urges Laertes to hurry for his ship yet ends up giving him a speech on how he should act while away, delaying him.
On another note, I predict that Ophelia might in fact disobey her brother and father later on in the play and end up having Hamlet "steal her heart."
~A. Stevenson
Hamlet's decison to follow and listen to the ghost of his father seemed questionable at first, however I believe he would have believed anything the ghost told him because the ghost is supposedly his father. In additon, it seems kind of suspicious that Laertes, Gertrude, and Polonius would try to stop Ophelia from seeing Hamlet. It seems like they're trying to cast aside any who still sympathize with old regime and isolate them. I smell conspiracy.
ReplyDeleteSarah Mullen says:
ReplyDeleteOphelia is going to go to Hamlet as soon as she gets the chance, especially now that her brother and father have told her to stay away. Hamlet's mother, too, has told him to keep away. As far as that plot line goes, it seems pretty predictable. She goes to Hamlet. They love each other but he accidentally hurts her: veeerryy predictable. Forbidden love is the best kind of love, right? Well, it makes for great stories, anyway.
Why won't the ghost talk? Unless it's alone with Hamlet, that is. One might think that he has more scare factor is he speaks in front of the others, to prove he has such powers.
How old is Hamlet supposed to be? At first I pictured him a teenager, but the heavy murderous request given to him by his father's ghost makes me think otherwise...
scene 3 sohows that ophelia doesn't really respcat laertes' opinion becuas she brushes off his speech to her about the dangers of falling for hamlet. and it is also interesting how polonius forbids her from seeing him. what caused them to think of hamlet so poorly?
ReplyDeletevictoria mark
At the end of scene four I question where the ghost wants to take Hamlet, why the ghost wont talk (at this point), and what the ghost will do to or tell Hamlet when they are alone. I feel like because Horatio and Marcellus follow Hamlet and the ghost they will somehow have an effect on what happens.
ReplyDeleteScene five: Why does Hamlet continue to move ground when the ghost calls out for Horatio and Marcellus to swear?
No obvious effect from Horatio and Marcellus following Hamlet and the ghost. But, at this point I have a feeling that Horatio and Marcellus might tell about what they saw that night; they swore but never had a chance to swear by Hamlet's sword.
~Taaqia Morrow
scene 3: why does ophelia's brother and father tell her to stay away from Hamlet???
ReplyDeletescene 4: why does the ghost not speak in front of Horatio and Marcellus and Why does the ghost make Hamlet go with him?? it brings up the question did they have something to do with the death of King Hamlet?
scene 5: Did King Hamlet's spirit appear because he wants his son Hamlet to take reveange??? Is that why he swears Marcellus and Horatio to secrecy???
If hamlet is to ready to listen to the ghost of his father, and take revenge on Claudius, he is obviously a very bold person. One who perhaps does not care what others will think of him. So then, why is he so afraid and seemingly secretive with Ofelia? Is being in love with someone you aren't supposed to, a more embarrassing crime than murder?
ReplyDelete- Savannah Goole
Shanay says...
ReplyDeleteScene 3- It is kind of typical for a brother to try and prevent his sister from 'getting involved' with guy. In this scene Laertes does this with Orphelia, where he says that Hamlet's words are basically lies and he is no good for her.
Scene 4- Horatio and Marcellus try and convince Hamlet that it would be in his best interest to not follow the ghost by himself. They say he should fear the possible consequences, which include dead and other horrible situations.
Scene 5- This scene specifically interested me because the ghost actually shows his identity and gracfully speaks with his son. The two have a mutual feeling about the relationship of King Claudius and Queen Gertrude; referring to Claudius as "that adulterate beast".
1:3-muhahahaha...its funny...but why does the father and son not allow ophelia the opportunity of Hamlet's affections..stupid!
ReplyDelete1:4-hickory dickory dock-the setting;nightimes.chilly,reminds me of the mouse rhyme.Hamlet a true G..i would have never follwed that ghost, i don not care who it is.
1:5-FAVORITE PHRASE: "O, my prophetic soul!" Shows that no matters what the circumstances, god is always put in one way or another...ha!
Why is Sr.Hamlet so upset with his brother, ok yes he seems selfish, but not once did he comment on his ignorant wife who sholdn't have married him either...they both should be killed..or it wouldn't be fair.
Hamlet and Ophelia have this odd relationship where she is interested in Hamlet but her father tells her to stay away from him, and he acclaims he loves her, but she obliges her fathers wishes and keeps her distance. i predict this will cause problems later on in the play as the too mingle more.
ReplyDeleteKeyana Coley
ReplyDeleteSo basically Hamlet stupid I mean who follows a ghost father or not and his friends suck for not totally stopping him. Also Ophelia is a bit naive and submissive obviously not manipulative type. Her relationship with her brother is wierd also its like she promised her chasity to him.Its like the Dad came in to back him up and say by the way "So girls=virgin sex" Without your virginity your well nothing. If this was mordern Ophelia would have probably been on 16 and pregnant after her Super Sweet Sixteen. Ok now that was random so its mad late and thats my comment, ignor its weirdness
why doesn't Ophelia's dad like Hamlet?
ReplyDeleteWhy do they keep saying "marry"?
Are they suposed to get married?
Thomiqua Bell
ReplyDeleteThese were very interesting scenes
I could totally relate to the scene wih Laertes and Ophelia because Laertes and Polonius remind of my dad and brother. They would tell me the same things if I said I was in love with some prince. However I dont think Ophelia is going to obey her father for long, she's going to keep seeing Hamlet.
I knew that Claudius was up to no good, I could just sense it because there's no way the king just happens to die and Claudius shacks up with his wife and becomes king. If I was Hamlet's ghost I'd be highly upset and especially at my wife since she didn't even mourn me two months before hooking up with my brother. So I hope young Hamlet shows Cornelius justice and Gertrude gets some bad karma.
Lastly, Horatio and Marcellus definately wont honor the secret promise, someones going to spill the beans and have some really bad things happen to them.
But..yeah..it was a good read :)
Har har! The ghost speaks!
ReplyDeleteSo it is revealed that the late king was murdered by his own brother, and he wants his revenge, and there's no one else better to tell than Hamlet.
Also, does why does Laertes not want Ophelia to accept Hamlets words of love? Does he not trust Hamlet? What's up with the word "marry?"
It's weird how parents have to tell their adult children well you have to behave like this. Ophelia is going to behave like any girl who thinks that she is in love. Follow her heart maybe to be broken in the end.
ReplyDeleteComments:
ReplyDeleteSc. 3
I feel like even though it usually goes that the rich guy only wants the girl for one thing Hamlet could be different and i think that they should back her up on her decision rather than try to pull her away from the one she loves.
Sc. 4
In my opinion they were both wrong and right to let Halmet go with the ghost. If something were to happen to him while they followed behind him they might be at blame because they witnessed the whole thing happen and didnt stop it.
Sd. 5
I knew Claudius was up tp something with the way he talks of King Hamlet's death nonchalantly. To kill your own brother for fame and beauty is heartless and i hope Hamlet serves him well.
scene 3: why did laertes and polonius tell ophelia to stay away from hamlet? what did he do to make them not trust him?
ReplyDeletescene 4: why did horatio and marcellus not want hamlet to go with the ghost?
Scene 3 - Why doesn't Laertes want Ophelia to believe anything that Hamlet's sayd to her and why does he tell her stay away?
ReplyDeleteI found it intresting that Hamlet was so curious and determined to follow the ghost. He did not want to listen to Horatio and Marcellus when they were telling him that he shouldnt go near the ghost, and that also made me curious of why they did not want him to follow the ghost. It was as if they were afraid or they knew something that Hamlet did not know. The ghost and Hamlet did not want Horatio and Marcellus to tell what they had saw or heard, and Hamlet told them to swear on his sword that they would not say a word, and they did as he said.
jayshawn says.....
ReplyDeleteI feel like hamlet already knew what the ghost was going to say because why would a ghost suddenly appear after his father's death? Hamlet is much too intelligent and think he already had suspicion of his uncle being involved in his fathers death he just didnt voice it because of what others might say or think of him for accusing his own uncle of such a hateful crime,but if you were to sit down and think about it all of it makes sense as to why he would kill his own brother.He was power hungry and wanted the thrown to himself
Wed. reading: It seems like Polonius distrusts both of his children,Ophelia for being with Hamlet and Laertes on his travels. I liked how cleaver and tricky Hamlet's plan to uncover the new king's plans are.
ReplyDeletei think hamlets uncle played a huge part in hamlets fahters death. i wonder if it was a requirement for you to marry a relative of your deceased spouse or if hamlets mother just chose to do so
ReplyDeleteAmonee Read
ReplyDeleteOKay. For one i dont understadn why HAmlet would want to follow a ghost , he must be very bold and concreter with the decisions he makes. I thinkk that as he had Marcellus and Beernardo swear to secrecy i think one of them just might end up opening their mouth , because thats what people do and moreso when you telll them not to and they know the depth of the situation . As grandma says "They can't hold Water".
Question: why is the relationship between opehlia and HAmlet the way it is?
Why is ophelia forbidden to see HAmlet by her fatehr and brother, But mainly her father?
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ReplyDeleteshaquile...
ReplyDeleteis not understanding why hamlet and ophelia's relationship is so weird if the "love" eachother and y she obeys her father to stay away from him...y does hamlet and the ghost have to be alone ?
2/23 blog
ReplyDeleteTuesday response... I think that Hamlet wanted alot more answers about this ghost that came out of nowhere so he followed the ghost and talked to him. The ghost told him that what the situation was and what happened to him and that his uncle was the one that killed him. Hamlet at this point is probably thinking that Denmark throne is a fake and killed his father. Im think Horatio and Marcellus had a part in the death of king Hamlet becuase they were very urgent to keep Hamlet from following the ghost but i think Hamlet wasnt really aware of that and he doesnt have anything in his little bag of tricks becuase he made Haratio and Marecellus promiseed to keep everything they heard from the ghost in their encounter a secret which will play a very big part later in the play
Scene 3- In this scene it is very common for a brother to try to intervene his sister from getting serious with a guy. In this scene Laertes does this with Orphelia, where he states that Hamlet's words are basically lies and that he isnt good enough for her in his mind.
ReplyDeleteCaleb Cotton-
ReplyDeleteact 3
hamlet's vicious talking to his mother makes me think about how she acted toward him and how she was mothering him.He jst have had a pretty messed up childhood. and why is it that when the ghost came up in his conversation with his mom but only he could see the ghost a real life ust a figmnent of his imagination?
Caleb Cotton-
ReplyDeleteact 4
The death of ophelia is going to change hamets emotion but i didnt like the fact that they faked her death at all....i think the story would have been alot more interesting if they just would have killed her and taken her out the picture. He was already dealing with the death of his father and now he has to figure out what he is going to do with the death of the woman he loves