Done with Hamlet

Well, we are officially done reading Hamlet by William Shakespeare and I have to say that I didn't think it was as great as people make it seem. One of the possible reasons for that is because it was tragedy filled with people plotting revenge on one another. I’m used to seeing that situation in almost any movie or television show. But I guess I have to realize that it was more popular back in the Elizabethan Age. Another reason why I didn't really like is that I thought it was too sad. I thought the entire play was sad because people kept dying. Also, I had trouble following the play because of the old English language, like most people I’m sure. I've been told there were a few, not many, humorous parts, but I could never tell which part was supposed to be funny. If I didn't use the No Fear Shakespeare link on Spark notes  I would definitely have trouble working on assignments. I did learn something from Hamlet, though. After reading this play, I learned that revenge is not always the answer. Almost everyone in Hamlet was seeking revenge, including Hamlet. He accomplished his goal, but it cost the lives of the people he knew and loved as well as his own. Overall, Hamlet was a decent play to me, but it was not as interesting as I thought.

Hamlet and Ophelia

My blog post is a little bit early this week because I’m probably not going to be able to receive any internet connection to complete it. But I would to talk about my overall view on Hamlet so far. Hamlet is somewhat confusing to me. I mean, I understand that he is upset about the death of his father, King Hamlet, but there were so many unanswered questions inside my head. Most of those questions were answered in our class discussions. One of questions was about Hamlet and Ophelia and their overall relationship. During their conversation in Act III, Hamlet said that he used to love Ophelia and she believed him but then Hamlet said the she shouldn't have believed him because he didn't love her. I had no clue what that meant. One of my classmates said that it was the insane mood he was in that made him sound like he wasn't making any sense. I understood that because in Acts I & II, Hamlet was going completely insane because of his father’s death. So King’s Hamlet’s death might have affected the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. They were probably happy and actually in love. Then when the king died, everything began to change, at least for Hamlet. His mood changed, he always wore black, and talked about complete nonsense. His father’s death has seriously gotten into his head.

Where I like to read

I don’t know if you know this, but I’m not the biggest fan of reading. I will read when I have to and I will read when I feel like it (which is very rare). Reading just hasn’t been my best friend lately. When I’m reading something that I actually like, which are certain drama and romance novels, there many places that I can read those novels. I like to read in my bedroom because I know I can have some privacy. I like to read in the car or on the plane when I’m traveling. I like to read in the locker room before I practice or play. As you can see I like to read pretty much anywhere, but I will anywhere because no matter where I am, I always picture myself in a peaceful place. The peaceful place only exists because of my music. That’s right! I have to listen to music when I study or even read. I feel like it helps me concentrate a little bit better. I can’t take the silence. I get distracted too easily when it’s quiet. You probably can’t tell in class but it’s true. It makes me uncomfortable.

I have to admit, though, that my reading interests have expanded more and more since my freshman year at Dunbar. That means that I have been reading more and that’s always a good thing.

Dicsussion Items #2

On Monday, we had day two of small group discussions over Oedipus Rex. I have to admit, though, that I did not like that play very much. It seemed like there was so much going on, but it was hard to handle it all because it seemed so short. Most of group agreed that it could’ve been a little longer. But maybe if we got a chance to actually watch the play, it would probably seem better because the director change alter certain scenes and put additional ones in.

One part I was confused on was why the mother, Jocasta, hung herself. After discussing it with my class mates, I realized that I missed the part when she found out that Oedipus, her husband, is also her son. She killed herself because of shame as well as guilt. I wouldn’t blame her though. I mean, how would feel you found out that you’ve been sleeping with your own son or daughter?

I also wondered why Oedipus blinded himself. One classmate said that he did it so he wouldn’t have to see the mess he has caused. Before he blinded himself, Oedipus was already blind (metaphorically). He did not want to see what trouble he has caused. He only saw what he wanted to see.