Hamlet Act 1 Scene 1

• The guards are very wary and jittery, because the King just died
• Then they see the ghost of the deceased King, and they start freaking out, which is understandable
• They try asking its intentions but it doesn't speak- doesn't want to be disturbed
• Once the ghost leaves, the guards start talking about the King, his actions, the battle; they reminisce
• Horatio reveals insight about the late King Hamlet 
• Horatio, Bernardo, and Marcellus talk about the King, that they should tell Prince Hamlet they saw his father's ghost

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 2

• King Claudius is disgraceful man; he tries to act compassionate and mournful but all he cares about is the throne and his power. 
• Calling Prince Hamlet his son is inappropriate as is marrying his deceased brother's wife a month after his death
• Hamlet's first line basically means "Don't call me son; I don't like you." (I think I'll like Hamlet; his deadpan and cynicism is something I can relate to 

Vocabulary #6

Vocabulary list #6:

A Picture I Didn't Take...

Of a woman in a white dress, standing in front of an audience with a bouquet of freesias in her hands. The veil hides a single tear slowly rolling down her rosy cheek. The silence that descends upon the gathering is like a blanket tucking itself into the crowd. And the minister begins the service. When he finishes, the woman in the snowy gown lays down her bouquet then turns to walk down the aisle as the processional plays for the last time. She leaves behind the flowers- his favorite flowers- on the last part of him that will remain forever. The tombstone reads:

Here lies Phelps

A loving son, brother, & fiance

Green Eggs & Hamlet

a) I know that Hamlet has a lover named Ophelia. One of them drowns and dies. (Side note: I just got that ↑ pun; *facepalm*)
b) Shakespeare is one of the most famous, classic writers in literary history. He was from England, or somewhere in the UK. He wrote in iambic pentameter, which is a pain to read. He wrote tragedies and comedies, used many puns throughout his plays. His most famous play is "Romeo and Juliet."
c) Most students frown at Shakespeare because his work is so hard to read and understand. It's so vague; the readers have to spend so much time analyzing and picking apart each line to understand what he's saying. And his plays are depressing and sad. And frustrating. "Romeo and Juliet" was frustrating to read because their plan was flawed and stupid. "Julius Caesar" was depressing because he was literally stabbed in the back by his fellow Senate members. I actually don't really appreciate Shakespeare's work. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong plays, but I don't like the couple that I've read. I should try reading "Twelfth Night"; I think I'd like that one.
d) I think making the reading more interactive would be fun. I also think that somehow translating Shakespeare's Old English into a more common vernacular; that would make reading "Hamlet" a lot easier.

Character Study (2): Continuing Call to Action

[Just a side-note, I get carried away with creative writing assignments so my character study will be quite a bit longer than others, I think. And I worked on this part for a while.]

Vocabulary #5

Vocabulary list #5:

Canterbury Tales (2): What A Character

   Chaucer uses indirect characterization to describe all his characters, poking fun at them, beating around the bush. Yet he uses direct characterization at the same time, describing to the readers how the Merchant is in debt, how the Monk fancies material things, how the Cook is fat with an ulcer.
   In regards to indirect characterization of the Cook, Chaucer uses the Cook's dialogue to indirectly show the reader his personality and his values. Direct characterization: The Cook's story is told directly, with his physical features included.
   Tone: Chaucer's tone was satirical, making fun of the Cook's life. At first the Cook was happy just the way he was, but throughout the pilgrimage, people brought up all his faults which hurt his feelings. So the Cook lost his true personality and character, hiding it from everybody. Chaucer's voice in the narrator more encouraged the Cook to ignore and move past all of it and to get his character and integrity back.
   Chaucer's humor: more ironic, because the Cook was happy and content in the beginning, but then lost himself through the journey and his job. Chaucer made fun of how the Cook lost everything, how the Cook let other people get to him even though he was so content.