Blog Assignment #6

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

[Chorus]
I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never rule this world
But that was when I ruled the world

[Chorus]

Viva la Vida is a song that basically explains what has been happening around me, it speaks of power, and how it changes hands from one to another. Like in the song, we show our loyalty to the king, as the sentinel Bernardo said, “Long live the king!” (1.1.3). Power dances around here in Denmark, and while it seems like Claudius holds all power, it is definitely being challenged by hamlet. I tell him, “O, speak to me no more. / These words like daggers enter in my ears. No more, sweet Hamlet.” (3.4.95-97). I said this to him because I was truly disturbed that he was not able to handle the change of power from his father. He became very disturbed; he said he was talking to King Hamlet’s ghost! “Why, look you there! Look how it steals away! / My father, in his habit as he lived!” (3.4.135-136). He is just a crazy child, he thinks that as in the song, where the wicked and wild winds blew the doors to let him in. He thinks that he is in a similar instance where his father is returning from the beyond to guide him. “Be my mirror, my sword and shield, My missionaries in a foreign field” is similar to this relationship between Hamlet and his past father, where Hamlet seems to be fighting this war for his lost father.

“Revolutionaries wait, For my head on a silver plate” can be used to show that once all of us are dead, there are certain people waiting to step into power. Fortinbras makes haste, in remembrance, “I have some rights of memory in this kingdom, / which now claim my vantage doth invite me.” (5.2.390-391). He makes note of the kings of past, but welcomes the shift of power into his own hands. As Hamlet is dying, he tells Horatio, “And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, / to tell my story.” (5.2.348-349). The song leads to believe that a person’s greatest legacy is their memory, which is held to the best example by Fortinbras’ acknowledgement of Hamlet’s endeavor, “Bear Hamlet like a soldier on the stage, / For he was likely , had he been put on, / To have proved the most royal;” (5.2.397-399)

I personally believe the monarch represents some hidden power, where the king is not really in power, but are influenced by those around them. Like in the song, they are possibly just a lonely puppet on a string. This is more of a random thought though. Maybe Hamlet truly never wanted to be a puppet, and wanted to take down the puppet that murdered his father. “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.” (1.5.25) this is where the spirit convinces Hamlet into his whole minded mission of revenge. But what hamlet doesn’t realize is that he is a puppet. He needs to come to understand that power changes hands.

Those in power will often take extreme steps to ensure that they maintain power. Claudius and I stooped to the level of spying in order to maintain the current balance. We called upon the assistance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do so. The king told to them, “So much as from occasion you may glean, / Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus, / That opened lies within our remedy.” (2.2.16-18.) To this I followed, “Your visitation shall receive such thanks / as fits a king’s remembrance.” (2.2.25-26 As we were eager to maintain the power, we were greedy, but that was when we ruled the world.

"To be, or not to be" analysis (Blog Assignment #4)

In Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, he thinks through, “To be, or not to be,” (3.1.1) which explores the idea of existing, or not existing. In other words, Hamlet is contemplating the idea to commit suicide or not. He makes a few statements that refer to the uncertainty of death such as, “But that the dread of something after death,” (3.1.23).  Similarly he refers to the negative aspects of life when he says, “The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks / that flesh is heir to, ‘tis a communication” (3.1.8-9). He is referring to the many things that can happen in life, such as the death of his father. He follows the Ethos appeal that appeals to his own character and his own personal decision. A major metaphor in the soliloquy is “When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,” (3.1.12) where he is referring to the struggle that is life.

In the Kenneth Branagh dub of Hamlet’s soliloquy takes the style to make a grand spectacle out of the ideas, but creates more of an idea than a possible action. He is in a great hall and is giving most of his speech when looking into various mirrors. You can see his entire body as well as his face, and through his actions and expressions. He holds an extremely straightforward tone, while also holding a small suggestive of death and suicide. He speaks as if he is addressing a large company or a crowd, which leads to the idea that Polonius and Claudius were meant to hear in on his thoughts. While giving this soliloquy he gives the indication that he is a deranged psychopath.

In a different mood and perspective, Laurence Olivier portrays in his version of the soliloquy in a significantly different way through the slightest actions. He is sitting at the top of a giant cliff with crashing waves attacking the cliff at the bottom. This contributed to the thoughts of death that were fleeting through Hamlet’s mind. There are also the changing images that show the waves that also help contribute the thoughts. As well as the images, there was a dramatic introduction song that helped lead to the intense mood of the scene. As Hamlet is somberly speaking, he draws a knife and points it towards himself, indicating the idea of suicide.

Mel Gibson created a strong feeling in his soliloquy. He was in a tomb, which helped him in the general idea of his soliloquy, being surrounded by death and dead bodies. He uses a very strong tone and a strong posture to convey his strong idea of action. Also specifically, when he is speaking about action, he takes steps up a few stairs, indicating the idea of taking an action to pursue his thoughts. The setting is also very dark, which helps to convey they mood and theme of the soliloquy. He is speaking quietly to himself as his tone rises and falls with the speech.

The last example of the soliloquy takes a very satirical look onto the decision that runs through Hamlet’s mind. Ethan Hawke finds himself in an empty blockbuster looking through the action movies section when he begins at first to think the soliloquy to himself. He is obviously not thinking of suicide, but more likely thinking of making a decision as to what movie to choose, as if it was a major life changing decision.  It can be shown through his expressions and the background music, that he is taking the decision very seriously.

The Kenneth Branagh version of Hamlet’s Soliloquy is the most effective one because it shows the turmoil that runs rampant in his mind. It also shows how Hamlet is truly distraught by the conflicts in his lives, as well as indecision to end his life. I feel like this is very similar to my dear Hamlet, because he is really struggling to keep his sanity right now; he is attacking, scheming, and speaking to the dead.

I would have had the scene taken place in a bedroom, isolated from the rest of the world, because that is how Hamlet truly feels, isolated. There would also be the use or reference of a knife or a sword to recommend the idea of suicide. When giving the soliloquy, Hamlet would be pacing back in forth, showing his deep contemplation and thoughts. The camera angle would show close up, either the face or upper body, to show the directness of the mood.

Blog Assignment #3

I am royalty and I should be treated as that. Everyone around me knows that and needs to respect my importance. Even Hamlet. Although he is my son, and I love him, his actions have been outlandish of late. I have decided to change my font to Informal Roman, because I need my writings to show that I want to take control and fix the turmoil that surrounds me. I also chose it to show my warmth and love for the individuals that surround me, no matter their actions. Hamlet forces me into a conundrum, I said to hamlet after he attacked Polonius, “These words, like daggers, enter in mine ears; / No more, sweet Hamlet!” (3.4.92-93). He does awful things and speaks awful words, but all I want to do is turn my head the other way.

I chose to change the color of my blog to green, because it symbolizes tranquility and the natural world, because that is what I want the most. Hamlet is making rash and thoughtful actions that are messing up the tranquility of my life. I wish he could just make amends with the ghosts of his past that are causing him stress. He was speaking to a spirit and when I asked him who it was he responded, “My father, in his habit as he lived! / Look where he goes, even now, out at the portal!” (3.4.133-134). I hope that all can return and life can be calm as it once was.

I really am not able to expect what is to happen next; the actions of those around me seem extremely erratic and out of the norm. There is almost no way to tell what is going to happen next. Hamlet especially worries me. He seems more and more distant and divided from me and Claudius as the days pass by. He has even accused Claudius of killing the late king! How absurd! It worries me of what other thoughts float through his head. I asked him to sit next to me and he replied, “No, good mother, here’s metal more attractive.” (3.2.109). The background of my blog represents the general mood of those around me, there is a lot of resentment and anger that floats in the atmosphere, I hope it can dissipate.

Blog Assignment #2

“A bored married couple is surprised to learn that they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill each other.” The two lovers are secretly spies and trained assassins who have been assigned to kill each other, and this completely changes their relationship, and creates drama between them. This describes those around me, for we are spying on and killing those around us. My dear Claudius and I have acquired the assistance of Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, we asked them, “Some little time: so by your companies / To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather, / So much as from occasion you may glean, / Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,” (2.2.14-17) It hurts me that we have to spy on him in order to learn more about his thoughts.

            Thankfully we have loyal citizens from Denmark that are willing to break from their morals. Rosencrantz was uneasy when we suggested, but Guildenstern confirmed, “But we both obey, / and here give up ourselves, in the full bent / to lay our service freely at your feet, / to be commanded.” (2.2.29-32) If we did not have loyal citizens, we would have to pursue different, maybe more direct and justified methods. When they did accept, I was very eager for them to begin, “And I beseech you instantly to visit” (2.2.35) I feel guilty for getting them started so early to spy on Hamlet, it makes me feel like he is becoming more and more of a stranger.

            I feel like I will also not find any new information, or at least I hope it is no worse than mourning and his feeling of betrayal. Claudius told to me about Polonius’s findings, “He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found / The head and source of all your son’s distemper.” (2.2.54-55) Without Claudius continuing, I responded my thoughts, “I doubt it is no other but the main; / His father’s death, and our o’erhasty marriage.” (2.2.56-57) I really hope he is able to end his mourning, and to forgive me for my quick marriage to my sweet Claudius.

-Gertrude

Blog Assignment #1

Hamlet is becoming less and less of a son as the days pass by. When I address him, he replies to me, “Ay, madam, it is common.” (1.2.73) as his queen and not as his mother. It is very upsetting, and I hope we can mend this separation and close the large void between us. Separation can be a hard thing to deal with, and even more so when it hits close to home. Hamlet has felt distant and unconnected ever since my husband passed away. He often is resentful and shows a silent hatred towards my new love, Claudius. He is often making snide remarks such as “Not so, my lord. I am too much in the sun.” (1.2.67) He was obviously making a snide jab at the king, who would like to see hamlet as his other son. But I love both hamlet and Claudius, but I am forced to align my loyalty with my husband and king. I just hope hamlet is willing to forgive me.

I don’t think hamlet’s disgruntlement with me is the entirety of his problems. He must still be mourning the passing of the late king. He said, “Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, that can denote me truly.” (1.2.82-83) and he uses his twisting words to show his true feelings, of a very long and drawn out mourning period. I will leave him be though, he needs his space. . . I also don’t think he appreciates Claudius’s attempts to hasten the mourning, as he said today “’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father, But you must know your Father lost a Father, That father lost, lost his” (1.2.87-89) and Hamlet is taking this for the worst pushing him farther from Claudius, and in turn, me.

He worries me with the many disturbing thoughts that he holds. He has dark thoughts of death and dying. He might have some desire to join his late king. His words today, “His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter.” (1.2.132) show his deeper thoughts. He thinks and dwells on the ideas of creating a martyr out of himself. But he is stopped by his faith and the heaven’s law that he follows. I just hope that he is able to return to his old self, when he was much closer to me.

-Gertrude