Response to Course Materials
Words. Words. WORDS!
We have been watching Hamlet and discussing the major themes in class. I hope we're not done yet, because I feel like we've spent lots of time just trying to decode the Shakespeare, and not a ton of figuring out what it means. For one thing, there is a lot open to interpretation here, so you can't make any decisive claims about the nature of Gertrude and Claudius' relationship, Ophelia's intelligence, or Hamlet's sexuality, as they change from actor to actor.
There is a lot of bible stuff in here, not just the 'Providence in the fall of a sparrow' monologue. So, in the beginning, there is a father, a son, and a holy ghost. Hamlet is denied thrice before the cock crows. In the end, he dies for the sins of Denmark and is given the burial of a King. He's supposed to be in his early 30s, no older than 33...He's JESUS! I KNEW IT! ITS ALWAYS JESUS! Okay, at least, in Brit Lit someone was always Jesus... and Shakespeare is British, so it makes sense. (Wait, is Shakespeare also Jesus?)
Aside from being Jesus, Hamlet has an interesting relationship with words. He loves riddles and quips and puns (maybe that is just Shakespeare having fun) and no one seems to understand him. I've heard it said that Shakespeare created Hamlet in his image...
Another motif in the play is the infection and rotting from within Denmark. There is so much treachery and murder and incest going on in the royal house of Denmark, and Hamlet suspects it is inside of him too. All I can think of is..."You're a Horcrux, Harry!"
Think about it; they are both popular, beloved young men in their worlds. Their fathers, who they her0-worship, are dead and gone. There is a great evil looming, and they feel it is inside of themselves. They are short of temper and prone to violent outbursts, yet somehow they are really good at heart. And, in the end, they each walk to their death to save others. And, their names both start with H-a-.
I found this article, "What Harry Potter Could have learned from Hamlet" http://emsworth.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/what-harry-potter-could-have-learned-from-hamlet/
So, in conclusion, Hamlet is Jesus... and Harry Potter. I can't wait to reveal my amazing realization on the AP exam :)
Emily, I adore this post.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you when you said that there's a lot of open interpretation in this play. This was emphasized even more when we watched the different movies and each actor had his own take on Hamlet. I like how you connected Hamlet to Jesus and how you brought it together with a famous well known chracter; Harry Potter. In this post I think you should have talked about how the forums or hearing the NPR report influenced your take on Hamlet, because I know the NPR broadcast had some fresh new ideas about Hamlet and helped me see the play in a new light.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily,
ReplyDeleteThose are some amazing connections you've found. Most people only write about Hamlet and how it was hard to understand for this course material. I like how you didn't do that; you emphasized what we need to cover more of and you found ways to use the Foster's novel to help you understand it more. Although your post is only on Hamlet, I like it a lot better than "it was hard" "I dislike Shakespeare" "too much annotating". It was really interesting to see the connections between Jesus, Harry Potter, and Hamlet. The article you found was also very helpful(: