Hamlet ... Gone with the Wind

To me "Hamlet," could be set in the south around the Civil War. I can see "Gone With the Wind" ... "Hamlet" style, and if that's not insane enough for you I don't want to know what you think is sane. Anyway, imagine back in time on an old property out deep in the hills of the south, a cotton field to your left, and a great pasty white mansion right smack in the middle of it all. Just think as if Hamlet is apart of this long line of great southern military leaders, his father one of the most respected, and his uncle not so much. His mother, Gertrude, a fine southern bell from a sweet Catholic family, spends her days raising him to be a good Catholic boy. So, the forgotten uncle, Claudius, devises a plan to get rid of his brother, take the family land, his brother's wife, and all that sweet money. Before Old Hamlet and Claudius go out to battle they sit and talk about you know family stuff, then Claudius discretely poisons his brother's drink, which ends up killing him. Claudius goes into to battle, gets the win, goes home takes the land, his brother's wife, etc. 

Polonius is an old family friend of Hamlet's family, and finds it his duty to visit often and be of help. Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius and Hamlet's "sweetheart", is a young and youthful girl learning to sew and write back to love letters. Imagine Act 2 Scene 2 when Hamlet totally rips Polonius, in his gentlemanly way, and Polonius is totally clueless. Polonius and Ophelia are invited to Hamlet's house to have a picnic, along with other quests, and outside there are people mingling and talking. Polonius goes straight up to Hamlet, who seems to be avoiding the people, and begins a friendly discussion. After their wonderful talk, of name calling and clueless interpretation. Hamlet leaves Polonius dumbfounded, and joins the rest of the picnic.  

"To Be or Not To Be" .... What ....

Because we are reading "Hamlet" we all have to look at the most famous line by Shakespeare, "To be or not to be."I looked up two different versions of the line on youtube, one by David Tennant (the one above) and the other by Kenneth Branagh (the one below). Before comparing, I would like to say that both gave exceptional portrayals of the scene and I applaud them on their acting skills, because I have none. However, let's compare. Honestly I love it when actors are just talking by themselves and don't have the weird music in the background. I know such a minor detail, but it bugs me, because when we are talking to ourselves their is no moody orchestra behind us causing suspense. So, one point Tennant zero to Branagh. I also liked how Tennant looked so sad for some reason that was so much more convincing to me than Branagh looking so serious and crazy, he actually looked crazy. And, I think that Hamlet would have been more sad and concentrated on his problem than really going insane. In the end I think that Tennant gave a much better version of the iconic line than Branagh.

You Should Probably Edit That ...

Before: Vonnegut shows us through the symbolism of handicaps individuality is one of the most treasured qualities an "equal" person can posses. Being an individual means taking off the handicaps our community oppresses upon us. And embracing everything that we are. People desperately try to fit in and be equal. The truth is we will never be exactly alike with appearance or titles, but as equal people we are to treat one another with the same amount of respect and reverence.

After: Vonnegut shows us through the symbolism of handicaps individuality is one of the most treasured qualities an "equal" person posses. An individual takes off the handicaps our community oppresses upon us, and embraces every aspect which makes us who we are. The truth is, we will never be exactly alike with appearance or titles as our "perfect" coworker or "flawless" friend. However, we are all neighbors in this one world we share.  Vonnegut tells us everyone lives with flaws and blemishes, but equality comes when we detach ourselves from our pride and admire our own faults.

Ophelia - Sweet or Sour?

In reading Shakespeare's "Hamlet", act 1 scene 3; I had the pleasure in meeting Ophelia. In my mind, a reserved young lady, who thinks highly of her brother, Laertes, and his opinions. And since she is respectful to her brother and father I would think overall she is a well-rounded person with high morals for herself and others. In other words, I like her. I wouldn't mind sharing a conversation with Ophelia about if Hamlet is good enough or if Hamlet's love is real, she would be a really cool friend just saying. On another note, I thought that Shakespeare made her personality very subtle, she listened intently to whatever her brother and father had to say, and never cut in or made a snobby remark. She is so respectful and nice, she lets her brother and father tear Hamlet her supposed lover to shreds, and even more so she doesn't give any objection whatsoever. But, she appears indecisive about what her opinion of Hamlet is. It's good that she is cautious about if his love is true or not, but I think she lets her brother and father's opinion take over her own.

To get a full understanding of Ophelia, of course we have to take other people's opinions, such as movies! Lets call the movie interpretations: 1. D.P.P and 2. Zeffirelli. First number one D.P.P, I was annoyed by the actress who played Ophelia. The minute she said her first line, in such a "sure thing bro" type of tone, I wanted to pause the video and leave. This actress interpreted Ophelia as if she was chill her brother was leaving, and so relaxed over the fact her brother told her to take care of her heart from Hamlet. No, just no. I didn't like that actress at all. To me, I thought she had it all wrong from the "I don't really care what your saying" look I thought she had, and the immature teasing she tried so desperately to accomplish. In other words, I completely adored number two Zeffirelli's interpretation of Ophelia. The way the actress looked so innocent when you first saw her, I was like "Finally!" and "Bravo", now that is how I pictured Ophelia! The actress continued with sad looking expressions when her brother said good-bye, and a concerned tone in her voice when her brother was talking about Hamlet. To me, she was so much better! This actress gave me the timid but respectful Ophelia I had first imagined when Shakespeare first introduced me to her. And with that I thought that Zeffirelli's Ophelia set the right tone for the rest of the play, with her more genuine and trident true interpretation.

 

Hamlet is he the One?

My first impression of Hamlet was, he is a good son. He love his father so much, and when he hears news about his father's ghost he immediately wants to see him and talk to him. He is such a good son! He wants to see his dad, and make an effort to talk to him. Hamlet responds to his uncle and mother I feel like in a distant way. He respects his uncle and wants to look after his mother, but I feel like he can't love them as much as he would hope. "I shall in all my best obey you, madam." (Shakespeare 1-120) I see Hamlet distant from his mother since she remarried, as if he only wants to but on a show for her. To me Hamlet misses his father so much that he doesn't want to be involved with his uncle and mother, he wants his father. Selfish and childish in a way, but still Hamlet is another person trying to find their path in their mind on their own. On another note, I also think that Hamlet is an excellent prince and would make a fantastic king someday. From seeing his loyalty to his family and his people I believe that he would lead with justice. I can see him looking for the best solution to satisfy all parties. I imagine him as a king that is fair, and would do anything to make the right be his highest priority. Hamlet in my mind would give his people the best king they have ever seen.

Handicaps in Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron"

Handicaps in Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”

Kurt Vonnegut uses the symbolism of handicaps in his short story, "Harrison Bergeron," to convey the difficulty people have in expressing their individual self and standing up against "un-equality." The handicaps symbolize the fight and struggle for individual equality. The masks symbolize the need and desire for a glimpse of what  characteristics every individual hides. And, Harrison's red rubber ball nose symbolizes for equality we must humbly accept our own humiliation. Vonnegut's symbolism describes the hardship we endure as an individual in our communities, but we don’t need a second opinion if we accept ourselves inevitably.

Vonnegut’s use of the mask in “Harrison Bergeron” symbolizes the need and desire for a glimpse of what characteristics every individual hides . He takes the mask and as a handicap it is the balance of the woman’s beauty. While George was watching the ballerinas on the television, he commented the ballerina speaking  “(She) must have been extraordinary beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous.” In the story, the masks symbolize the influence community has on people’s reflection of themselves, how they should or should not appear to the public, and what is presentable and what is not. And, this symbolism shows how in “Harrison Bergeron” their was no equality for the individual. People wear masks all the time to hide what they truly are and appear as what they are not . We are at constant war, with our own selves and community, for our individualism.  We sometimes hate how different we look and how unique our personalities are and are willing to give up that individuality to fit the norm. However, when we take a step back and take off our masks, we are accepting everything that we are, the imperfections and the perfections. Harrison picks out his Queen, and “Last of all, he removed her mask. She was blindingly beautiful.” Harrison is showing her by taking off her mask she doesn’t need rules or regulations to tell her who she is. The ballerina is set free, and now can exceed beyond the boundaries of their community. This symbolizes taking away what we stand behind that misrepresents us and hides us, and seeing we are “blindingly beautiful ”. We are all not supermodels or presidents, and we blindly try to hard to mimic people that have more and look better to feel we are just at worthy as they are. Vonnegut describes the masks as hideous, because they are our falsities, desires, and guilty pleasures. When we let go of our masks, the people we are beneath are infinitely greater.

Vonnegut shows us through the symbolism of Harrison’s red rubber ball nose to take a step into equality we must have an understanding of humility. Vonnegut depicts Harrison piled with handicaps and wearing a red rubber ball on his nose to “offset his good looks” as a reminder that he is an outcast, and he is forever labeled a threat to the balance of the community.  Harrison is abandoned and betrayed by his friends, family, and community. The red nose also symbolizes the shame and self pity people crawl to for the comfort of embracing the inequality and rejoin the mob.  Vonnegut  tells us to have true equality, individuals have to be able to step out and accept their humiliation with humility. People have to love their “red rubber ball nose” and embrace that unique quality that ultimately makes them one of a kind. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, think we aren’t as good, but understand like Harrison Bergeron there are no limits for us, only we can set our life’s limitations.

Vonnegut shows us through the symbolism of handicaps that individuality is one of the most treasured qualities an “equal” person can possess. Being an individual means taking off the handicaps our community oppresses upon us and embracing everything that we are. People desperately try to fit in and be equal , we try so hard to be safe and follow everyone else so we don’t make a mistake and make a fool out of ourselves. We have pride and expectations for ourselves to blend in and not seen as insanely intolerable. The truth is we will never be exactly alike with appearance or titles, but, as equal people, we are to treat one another with the same amount of respect and reverence. 

Short Works - Harrison Bergeron (into revision and outline)

Kurt Vonnegut uses the symbolism of handicaps in his short story, "Harrison Bergeron," to convey the difficulty people have in expressing their individual self and standing up against "un-equality." The handicaps symbolize the fight and struggle for individual equality; like the masks symbolize the need or desire for visual equality, George's earpiece symbolizes the reach for one's individual capabilities, and Harrison's red nose symbolizes to be equal we must humbly accept our humility. Vonnegut's symbolism describes the hardship we endure to be an individual, including accepting ourselves and realizing that others may not. In "Harrison Bergeron" we learn that there is always a price to pay when breaking lose from our "handicaps", such as death and our parents not knowing, and is that price worth our individuality. 

Outline:

A. Vonnegut's use of the mask in "Harrison Bergeron" symbolizes the need and desire for visual (or beauty) equality.

• mask to cover the beauty, to hide one's full potential 
• -- "She must have been extraordinary beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous." 
• "Last of all, he removed her mask. She was blindingly beautiful." 

B. George's earpiece symbolizes the reach for ones individual capabilities, such as thoughts and memories. 

• "Sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains."
• "He began to think glimmeringly about his abnormal son who was now in jail, about Harrison, but a twenty-one-gun salute in his head stopped that."
• "'You been crying?' he said to Hazel. 'Yup,' she said, 'What about?' he said. 'I forget,' she said. 'Something real sad on television.' 

C.  Vonnegut shows us through the symbolism of Harrison's red rubber ball nose to take a step into equality we must be humble and accept humility. 

• a mark to tell who he was, also to "offset his good looks"
• a reminder he is an outcast like Rudolph
• be humble with your humiliation

D. In "Harrison Bergeron" we learn that there is always a price to pay when breaking lose from our "handicaps", such as death and our parents not knowing, and is that price worth our individuality. 

• "Explosion of joy and grace"
• "Forget sad things', said George. 'I always do,' said Hazel. 'That's my girl.' said George. He winced. There was the sound of the riveting gun in his head." 

Short Works - Harrison Bergeron

Kurt Vonnegut uses symbolism in his short story, "Harrison Bergeron," to convey the difficulty people have in expressing their individual self and standing up against "un-equality." Through examples such as the handicaps, the fight and the struggle for individual equality; the couple, the importance of emotional equality; and Harrison Bergeron himself, the choices in life that can not be "handicapped". Vonnegut's symbolism describes the hardship we endure to be an individual, including accepting ourselves and realizing that others may not. In "Harrison Bergeron" we learn that there is always a price to pay when breaking lose from our "handicaps", such as death and our parents not knowing, and is that price worth our individuality.  

Who Am I?

The enigma we call life, basically just flat out sucks. Let's get real here, me, a person trying to discover who I am, but I don't really know what is "me" or how to find "me". Everyone knows there is no handbook that tells you the to how to do's in life. Trying to write your own story is brutal, when you don't even know the meaning of the words. 

In Robinson's poem, "Miniver Cheevy," I wanted to tell Miniver "I get you!" and "Same here!" To me I thought he was alone, that he felt abandoned and there was nothing left to do but drink on. We are all alone in life, until we choose not to be. When we stop looking at our feet and take a second to look right, to a friend, and left, to another friend, we might accept life a little bit more. Second, Miniver is confused. He is struggling to convince himself that he is in the right place, the right time in history. Time and time again he lectures to himself about where he would be accepted, possibly where it would make him happy. I think, why do others have to accept us when the greatest happiness can come from accepting ourselves. People desperately try to impress others so that they are loved; they want to feel wanted, needed, and have a purpose. I believe, if we love ourselves and what we stand for people will accept us, they will love us. A character who "wept that he was ever born" is a character running while covering his own eyes. Do you not want to live Mr. Miniver? Yeah, "I get you!" and "Same here!" but there is a time when we have to seize the day, even if we don't know which one it is. Life, again, basically just flat out sucks, but know what, when we walk on we won't even notice life sucked in the first place. Have faith in our story, have hope for who we are, and that is what makes the individual journey through life truly worth living for. 

"Barbie Doll's" Irony

The English would be boring and even more unbearable if some beautiful person had not decided to include sarcasm, come-backs, jokes, and of course irony. What would life be without the beauty of irony? I don't even want to think about how deprived literature would be without irony; how dull, plain, unexciting, unsurprising, etc. English would be. Irony adds a level of artistry, it expresses a message with more expressive and emotional meaning. I think that irony also gives the author the ability to stretch their main themes in ways making the reader really concentrate to decipher what the author really means, what they are thinking.

In Marge Piercy's poem "Barbie Doll" she expertly has us expecting a stereotypical poem about a perfect girl, one with blond hair, blue eyes, etc. However, her character ironically is described as the opposite, "healthy, tested intelligent," with "strong arms and back." Already, Piercy slaps us across our faces, upset at how quick we are to assume what makes a perfect girl. This type of irony is called verbal irony where the author tells us one thing but means something else behind it. Another type of irony uses in the poem is reversal irony where something happens and the opposite happens. In the poem the Barbie Doll cuts her "fat nose and fat legs" off and kills herself, and only after that does her community praise her on her beauty. Piercy shows us women go to extreme ends just to get the satisfaction of being accepted as beautiful or pretty, and ironically some go as far as death for that compliment, never to experience their own true beauty, and only to die trying to obtain the fake fantasy of beauty society commercializes.

*Read with Clarity*

Hi, my name is Claire, and this is my blog "Clarity Reads." Here I will share with you my personal thoughts and opinions, hopefully with clarity, on different types of literature I encounter this year. So, let's write!

My favorite text I read over the summer, was "Once Upon a Time," by Nadine Gordimer. First, I found how Gordimer started the short story with a character in reality and then transitioned it into a fairytale, was so unique and really captivated me first and foremost as the story began. Throughout the "fairytale" I felt as if I was walking right beside the family down the street, looking at the different types of security systems. I love sensing as if I am now apart of the story, feeling their anxiety, and seeing their tense expressions. Another highlight for me, is the way Gordimer was able to secretively twist our expectations of a fairytale ending. She built up a false hope, with a family living "happily ever after" in a safe home, and then we are completely left in shock as the little boy, the innocent prince, the one who really never lived a fairytale, the one destined to save the princess and defeat the evil, is slayed by society's code of fear. We standby the fence in horror as fear consumes the people who tried so desperately to keep it out. My favorite line is, "So from every window and door in the house where they were living happily ever after they now saw the trees and sky through bars." I respect this line so much, it depicts for us the hell that they have created for themselves, they can't see the good anymore without looking at the bad and taking precautions first. They are so petrified by life, so afraid, they choose to hide themselves away, cower from the evil instead of conquering it like a prince, like how a "fairytale" ought to be.