DRJ #4

Initial Reaction: The pacing of Acts IV and V is way faster than the beginning acts. Action abounds, and each bit is more unbelievable than the those preceding. My favorite part is when Hamlet's ship gets attacked by pirates, and he escapes. I thought at first Hamlet might have invented this as explanation for his escape, but all the research I've done suggests that, within the play, his boat was indeed attacked by pirates. Of course. I can't say that any part or character reminds me of anything in particular, but the abundance of increasingly ridiculous goings-on (a pirate attack, a duel, and the death of everyone) has an over-the-top quality that reminds me of theater in general. Perhaps I'm evading the question.

Character Analysis: I find Gertrude perplexing. I believe she has genuine love for Hamlet; I didn't find any evidence to suggest otherwise, and throughout the play she tells him she loves him. In other areas, though, she is twisted. There is no way that Gertrude could get married to her late husband's brother SO shortly after Hamlet Sr.'s death had Claudius and Gertrude not already been having an affair, and Hamlet suggests that his mother is an unfaithful who** several times. Without Gertrude, we could not have the story. Claudius might not have had enough motivation to kill Hamlet Sr. if there were no Gertrude to win; Hamlet would not have felt so betrayed; and thus, the need for revenge would not have been present. Even the ghost of Hamlet does not wish for any harm to come to her, suggesting that (up until the end), she was probably a good wife.

Theme Analysis: Although it is not the most significant theme in the last acts, I noticed that the characters brought up the treatment of wealthy people vs. those without money a few times. When the gravediggers are talking to eachother in act V, Second Clown (gravedigger) says to the First Clown gravedigger that Ophelia would not be getting a Christian burial, had she not been wealthy, as she committed suicide. 5.1.20-21 goes, “If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o' Christian burial.” Later on, when Hamlet is interacting with the irritating Osric, he says essentially the same thing; Osric is not fun to interact with, but since he has land and money, he is treated well. By having both a peasant and royalty reflect on the issue of money buying good treatment, Shakespeare uses contrast to emphasize his point.

DRJ #3

Initial Reaction: I re-read Act III, so at this point I understand it better than any other act. I feel like the pace has picked up a little bit. Hamlet's bizarre, inconsistent interaction with Ophelia reminds me of a guy I dated when I was 17. He was also rather pompous and full of himself, and would alternate between being nice and loving with me, and then suddenly dismissive without provocation. This experience was of course far less meaningful than Ophelia/Hamlet, but I also think that Hamlet is an ass.

Character Analysis: I'm going to discuss Ophelia. Ophelia is a nice, eager-to-please, obedient, naïve young lady who is emotionally sort of...weak. I would say that she does have a fatal flaw, which is that very emotional weakness. It does not happen in this act, but eventually Ophelia is worn down by Hamlet's retraction of love (and ensuing flirtatious mind games) and her father's death. She simply cannot muscle through, and succumbs to grief. Although I don't think she is a foil, Ophelia's presence and interaction with Hamlet demonstrates the type of man he is.

Theme Analysis: One theme that stood out to me the most in this act was contemplation versus action. In thesis format, here goes: Too much mulling over what action should be taken ultimately interferes with any action taking place whatsoever. The idea is mentioned at least twice within the act, so I would say that Shakespeare is reinforcing it via repetition. In 3.1.83-87, Hamlet is talking about how a person who is at first resolute weakens if he ponders for too long about the appropriate action, and that instead of considering at length, people should act immediately. Later, when the royal family is watching the play, the Player King says essentially the same thing. At 3.2.165-176, he likens inaction to fruit that dies on the tree because it stayed too long on the branch. He is saying that people lose their fiery passion to act when they pause to think.