DRJ#4

Initial Reaction:  It’s really hitting the fan in Denmark.  The Norwegian army is at the door and everyone is still plotting how to get some revenge or save their ass.  The bodies are starting to pile up, Polonius, Ophelia, who is next?

Character Analysis:  For the forth act character analysis I chose Laertes.  Laertes is not the protagonist or antagonist but he is definitely a main character in the plot.  Laertes acts as a character foil for Hamlet, especially in and after the forth act following the death of his father Polonius. Laertes wants to get revenge for his father as does Hamlet.  The difference is that Laertes is willing to take action.

Theme Analysis:   Again the theme could be one of many available.  For act four I found many examples of deceit and deception.  It is everywhere from Claudius’ plans for Hamlet to Hamlet’s plans for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  Even Hamlet’s overall tone when interacting with others is deceitful, the way he won’t answer a question in a straightforward manner. It is this repetition of these deceitful acts that pointed to this theme. For example all of scene 2 is Hamlet dancing around questions, not being truthful, after he has killed Polonius. 

DRJ#3

Initial Reaction:  I found this act to be full of spying and scheming.  It seemed like Polonius was always snooping on Hamlet, while Hamlet was seeking proof or justification to kill Claudius.  I currently don’t have any plotters or schemers in my life thank god.

Character Analysis:  I chose Hamlet for the third act character analysis.  I feel that Hamlet is the protagonist and that he does have a fatal flaw which is his procrastination and cowardice.  Hamlet is of noble decent, obviously is not perfect, his downfall is his own doing so he fits many of the requirements of a tragic hero.  However, his lack of commitment, cowardice and dragging of feet etc cause many unnecessary deaths.  If he was a true tragic hero he would have manned up and killed Claudius no matter the consequence.

Theme Analysis:  Most of the third act is about Hamlet’s mousetrap set for Claudius.  Either the setting up, the actual play or the aftermath is involved in the entirety.  This is what Hamlet is using for proof of Claudius’ guilt.  So naturally the revenge theme is involved but more importantly there is also a temporal factor, meaning that revenge should be quick. This entire time Hamlet drags his feet, not actually plotting how to kill Claudius, but justification to work up his courage.  This can be seen in his famous “to be or not to be” when Hamlet says, “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, and thus the native hue of resolution is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought, and enterprise of great pith and moment with this regard their currents turn awry, and lose the name of action.”  This is ironic because he would have his revenge if he would follow his own advice.        

DRJ#2

Initial Reaction:   It seems to me that there was a lot of sneaking around in act 2.  Everyone seemed to be plotting something.   Polonius and his foolish schemes to find out the truth behind Hamlet’s feelings for Ophilia remind me of the coyote going after the roadrunner.

Character Analysis:   The character I chose for Act 2 was Polonius.  First off this guy is hilarious. He thinks he is Socrates or something with all of his long drawn out speeches giving advice.  Anytime Hamlet is sarcastic Polonius has no idea and seriously believes Hamlet is going crazy.  It seems as though he tries to be logical, but ironically it points out how much of a idiot he really is.

Theme Analysis:   For the theme I picked love/family/friendship.  This theme is illustrated throughout the play, not just the second act.  Shakespeare uses irony to expose the theme in the character Polonius’ actions and words.  For example, Polonius attempts to find out about what his son, Laertes, has been up to and  goes about it in a strange manner telling Reynaldo, “You, laying these slight sullies on my son as ‘twere a thing a little soiled i’th’working- mark you your party in converse, him you would sound , having ever seen in the prenominate crimes the youth you breathe guilty, be assured he closes with you “Good Sir” or so, or “Friend,” or “Gentleman” act 2 scene 1 lines39-47.  This is ironic because a caring, respectful father would not go through all this deception and sneaking around.   

DRJ#1

Initial Reaction:   The story itself I find very entertaining.  It actually reminds me of some sort of trashy daytime tv show.  Fortunately, I don’t have any real life situations or predicaments like Hamlet has to deal with, murder, revenge, incestuous relationships etc.  I did have an ex who said she saw a ghost before but that’s why she’s an ex, I believe she was a little crazy.

Character Analysis:  For the character analysis I chose Hamlet’s uncle and king of Denmark, Claudius.  This guy is a real piece of work. He murdered his brother, Hamlet senior, so he could not only be king but also marry the queen Gertrude, who it appears to have been unfaithful before the murder.  I believe Claudius to be the antagonist, but it takes two to tango so to speak, so Gertrude has some blame as well.  However, I feel Claudius is the antagonist because he has the most to gain and obviously caused the conflict on purpose by killing Hamlet’s father.

Theme Analysis:   A theme that can be seen over and over throughout the first act is time/ mortality.  For example, in act 1 scene 2 approx line 89 Claudius says to Hamlet, “But you must know your father lost a father, that father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound in filial obligation.”  This creates the image of a life and death,  generation to generation, which brings about feelings of mortality.  Also the roster and it’s crow marks the night to day transition which also symbolizes mortality and time. 

SSRJ#2 :Colette

Initial Personal Reaction:  Initially I was grossed out by the description of the hand.  That is probably what got most of my attention, the imagery used to describe the hand.  Getting passed the vivid description of the hand I found that there was more going on than previously thought.  I can’t say that this story made any connection to a specific situation in my life, sorry.

Literary Element/Thematic Analysis:  The particular element I found interesting was the symbolism found in the imagery of the hand.  Colette paints a picture of a well manicured hand, properly groomed, yet this is odd on such powerful and masculine hand.  The grooming and nail polish and such are an attempt to hide what lies beneath the surface.  Similarly, how the man is handsome and athletic to hide his inner secrets.  I feel Colette is also making a statement about marriage and how it to can be camouflaged to appear normal.

Questions/Comments:  What do you think Colette is trying to achieve with this piece?  What was your interpretation of the theme?      

SSRJ#1: Walker

Initial Personal Reaction:   At first glance this looked like a story of a bride with cold feet.  However, upon further inspection there was more to it.  Walker tells the story through the thoughts of Roselily, a poor mother of three who is currently being wed. I felt this was a rather interesting way to tell a story.  This is done by using a limited point of view, only allowing the reader to know the thoughts and observations of a single character. Personally, this piece actually does have relevance since I am currently engaged, I sure hope she isn’t thinking like Roselily.    

Literary Element/Thematic Analysis:  Walker’s use of imagery particularly stands out as the most influential literary element in Roselily.  The comparison of Roselily to “cotton ready to be weighed” not only objectifies her, but because this is coming from Roselily’s own thoughts makes me think she is not in this relationship for love.  Secondly, Roselily thinks of ropes, chains, and handcuffs when she thinks about her fiancé’s religion.  Again, this is setting off alarms, this does not sound like the thoughts of a woman in love who is supposed to be having the best day of her life.  Throughout the story, Walker’s use of imagery paints a portrait of a woman, not marrying for love, but who is marrying a man for the possibilities of a better life.

Questions/Comments:  I feel that the imagery used was the strongest literary element Walker used truly giving insight to the reader, even though this story is in the point of view category.  What do you think? Do you maybe have a different idea of what Walker is saying? 

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