Words of the Day #3

Cicatrice - new tissue that forms over a wound and later contracts into a scar; noun

The cicatrice of Sally's knee became infected when she kept reopening it by playing soccer.

Superflous - being more than is sufficient or required; excessive; adj.

I think the superflous flow of hats that we were making wasn't going to be enough to sell.

Words of the Day #2

Beguile - to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude; verb

The Joker beguile Batman into telling all his secrets.

Unction - an act of anointing, especially as a medical treatment or religious rite; noun

The unction of the serum in the Serum Run of 1925, was the most historic event of all time, because children were cured from diptheia. 

Words of the Day

Consummation - the act of consummating; completion; noun

The consummation of the homework last night lasted for two hours.

Contumely - insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous or humiliating treatment; noun

The contumely cat left the room when he didn't land on all four feet. 

HAMLET Act 3 Scene 3-4 Questions

1) What does Claudius plan to do with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Hamlet?

Claudius plans to send them all to England.

2) What is Polonius going to do while Hamlet speaks with his mother?

Polonius is going to hide in the Queen's chambers so he can listen in on the converstation.

3) List three important things about Claudius’ soliloquy.
a) Asking for forgiveness

b) Knows he can't get forgiveness, because he still wants the things that he killed for

c) Wants to go to Heaven, and not Hell

4) Why is it odd that Hamlet sees the king praying?

Hamlet is suppose to kill the king, and thinks he is pure evil, but seeing him praying is weird, because he is suppose to be this evil person.

5) Why doesn’t Hamlet take this opportunity for revenge?

Hamlet thinks that since the king is praying he will go to heaven afterwards, so Hamlet wants to wait until the king is doing something sinful in order to make sure he goes to Hell.

Scene IV
1) Describe Polonius’ advice to Gertrude.

To make sure Hamlet is sent away, and not to "spook" him.

2) What is the significance of the following quote: “How now, a rat? Dead! For a ducat, dead!

Hamlet knew someone was listening in on the converstation between his mother and him, so he kills the spy calling him a rat (Polonius).

3) What is odd about the following quote: A bloody dead; almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry with his brother.

Hamlet is saying that killing Polonius was almost as bad as the Queen helping Claudius kill the former king. 

4) Why might Gertrude say, “What have I done, that thou dar’st wag thy tongue in noise so rude against me.”

Gertrude doesn't understand why Hamlet is being so rude to her.

5) What descriptions does Hamlet use to compare his father and his uncle?
King Hamlet

- God like
- Worshipped
- Kind
- Warrior

Claudius

- Nasty
- Stayr
- Ugly
- Tryant

6) What point does Hamlet make by comparing the men?

That his father was a noble man, and his brother is a nasty man. 

7) What is disturbing about the following: Nay, but to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed; stewed in corruption; honeying, and making love over the nasty sty.”

Hamlet is saying that his mother is making love to the man that killed her husband.

8) What stops Hamlet’s ranting and raving at Gertrude? What does this figure tell Hamlet?

The ghost of the former king appears. The ghost tells Hamlet to be easy on his mother, and to say goodnight.

9) By the end of the act, Hamlet has made many statements about humanity, in general. Explain a few of his points. Do his opinions reflect his madness.

Hamlet's opinions do not reflect madness. Hamlet has every right to get upset, because everyone is spying on one another, and there is no trust between anyone. The society of which Hamlet is trapped in, is making him go mad.

10) Explain the differences between the ghost in Act I with the ghost in Act III. Why might these differences reflect Hamlet’s insanity?

Ghost in Act 1 begs Hamlet to avenge him, but the ghost in Act III tells Hamlet to take it easy. 

Hamlet Vocabulary Words #2

Consummation - the act of consummating; completion; noun

Contumely - insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous or humiliating treatment; noun

Beguile - to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude; verb

Unction - an act of anointing, especially as a medical treatment or religious rite; noun

Cicatrice - new tissue that forms over a wound and later contracts into a scar; noun

Superflous - being more than is sufficient or required; excessive; adj.

Requiem - a celebration of this Mass; noun

Augury - an omen, token, or indication; noun

Felicity - a source of happiness; noun

Calamity - a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury; noun

Hamlet Act 3 Questions Scene 1 & 2

Scene 1

1. What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to Polonius?

They tell the King that there is something wrong with Hamlet, but he won't tell them what. He probably wouldn't tell them because he knew that they were spying on him.

2. How does Claudius react when Polonius says, "…with devotion's visage, And pious action we do sugar o'er/ The devil himself"?

He begins to feel really guilty because he realizes that he is always covering up his massive sin (murdering his brother) with his thoughts and words, just as Polonius is saying people usually do when pretending to believe in God.

3. What plan do Polonius, Claudius and Ophelia now put into action?

Ophelia is going to talk to Hamlet and try and figure out what is wrong with him while Claudius and Polonius spy on them.

4. What is the nature of Hamlet's soliloquy, lines 57-91?

It's very dark. He casually talks about taking action, suicide, and the afterlife. He is upset that his mother married his uncle, and he is upset with Ophelia because she is pretending not to love him though he knows she does.

5. What is Hamlet's main argument against suicide?

We don't know what happens after death. He doesn't know if death will be greater than life or worse than life, which is why he isn't willing to take his life.

6. Why does Hamlet treat Ophelia as cruelly as he does? What has changed him?

He knew that Polonius was using Ophelia to spy on him so he didn't want to get to close to her because of his plan of revenge on the King. He is also mad at her because she betrayed him.

7. What thinly veiled threat to Claudius does Hamlet voice, after he becomes of his hidden presence? (lines 148-150)

He says that all people, except one (Claudius), that are already married shall live.

8. At the end of this scene, what does the King decide to do with Hamlet?

He wants to send Hamlet to England.


Scene 2

9. What qualities in Horatio cause Hamlet to enlist his assistance?

Horatio hasn't given Hamlet a reason not to trust him. He understands what Hamlet is trying to do. Horatio is the only person that Hamlet trusts.

10. What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do?

He asks him to observe King Claudius's reactions to the play. If he noticed the King getting nervous or acting strange, Hamlet will know that he is guilty of killing Old Hamlet and will have the proof he needs to be able to take action against him.

11. Summarize what happens in the play-within-a-play.

The play-within-a-play basically tells the story of Old Hamlet's murder. There is a little scene that acts out the story, sort of like a teaser (or a movie trailer). Then the actual play starts with a king an queen being all lovey-dovey to each other. Some words are exchanged, the queen leaves and the king falls asleep. Then, the king's nephew enters and puts poison in the king's ear killing him.

12. Why, in line 233, does Hamlet refer to the play-within-a-play as "The Mouse-trap"?

Because Hamlet has set a trap for King Claudius. Depending on the King's reaction will determine if he killed Old Hamlet.

13. What is the King's reaction to the play?

He brings the house lights and storms out of the theater making everyone leave. He basically confessed to the murder.

14. In lines 354-363, to what object does Hamlet compare himself? Why?

He compares himself to a recorder that people 'play'. He feels that even though people are trying to 'play' him, he will not stand for it. (he is much to smart for that and always a step ahead of everyone.

15. As Hamlet goes to his mother at the end of this scene, what does he admonish himself to
do?

He has pretty much lost all faith in her. He hates her, but he isn't going to kill her. He just wishes that she weren't alive anymore.

Words of the Day #5

Canon - the body of rules, principles, or standards accepted as axiomatic and universally binding in a field of study or art; noun

One of the canon's of photography is to make sure you get good lighting.

Imminent - likely to occur at any moment; impending; adj.

Horror movies are very imminent, you never know what's going to happen.

Words of the Day #4

Prodigal - wastefully or recklessly extravagant; adj.

Most celebrities are extremely prodigal when it comes to spending their money.

Discourse - communication of thought by words; talk; conversation; noun

The discourse of this topic has took a turn for the worse.  

Words of the Day #3

Portentous - of the nature of a portent; momentous; adj.

The portentous sound of the machine carried throughout the entire school.

Calumnious - of, involving, or using calumny; slanderous; defamatory; adj.

Sally is very calumnious when the subject of slavery is brought up.

Words of the Day #2

Sullied - to soil, stain, or tarnish; verb

The most common advice that a mother gives her child was to never sullied their pants.

Apparition - a supernatural appearance of a person or thing, especially a ghost; a specter or phantom; wraith; noun

Everyone was at an awe when the magician summoned an apparition of Queen Victoria.   

HAMLET Act 2 Scene 2 Outline

Scene 2

Claudius and Gertrude have summoned Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet’s childhood friends, to keep Hamlet company. Polonius enters the scene and informs the king and queen that he has found out the cause of Hamlet’s insanity and gives proof, but not before the king and queen give audience to Cornelius and Voltemand who have returned from Norway with good news. The news is Fortinbras has turned his aggression against Poland and he only requires that Denmark permit his troops to march through to Poland. Claudius dismisses the ambassadors from Norway and turns to the business of his insane nephew. Polonius produces a love letter. Polonius says that the cause of Hamlet’s insanity can be no other than his love for Opehlia. To prove it, Polonius proposes to engage Hamlet directly while the king and queen hide and observe. The scheme is agreed to and is carried out by. The proof is scarcely produced but there’s no persuading Polonius who will test his theory again.

Meanwhile Hamlet finds himself in the company of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. His suspicion proves to be right as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern confess that their visit is actually a performance of a duty as by the king and queen. Without going into specifics, Hamlet explains on his insanity, which is interrupted, however temporarily, by the appearance of a troop of traveling actors. Hamlet welcomes the actors. He escorts them to the city gate where they are all greeted by Polonius. Recalling their earlier encounter, Hamlet baits and humors Polonius with a reference to Ophelia when, out of the corner of his eyes, Hamlet sees an actor whose face is familiar. Hamlet goes to the actor and has him to recite Aeneas’ speech to Dido, which speech Hamlet had once before witnessed the actor perform. The speech involves the fall of Troy, by the instant when Pyrrhus slaughters Priam. The actor performing it weeps, so moving is the speech. Polonius finds its length unbearable, however, and as a result he is at odds with Hamlet. It’s not the only thing for which the two are at odds, however. Indeed, Hamlet finds Polonius’ manners and attitude with respect to the actors bothersome and tells him so.

Hamlet is alone again. Hamlet accuses himself of being a coward, a kitchen wench, and that he would erase any doubts as to the ghost’s intentions. He will stage a play depicting a king’s murder at the hands of the king’s brother. And if uncle Claudius betrays a guilty conscience, vengeance will have its day.

Words of the Day #1

Countenance - appearance, especially the look or expression of the face; noun

Maddie has not said sorry, if she had to resign again even Larry would not countenance a third comeback.

Perilous - involving or full of grave risk or peril; hazardous; dangerous; adj.

The lifeguard told us that we couldn't swim in the lake, because it was perilous.

HAMLET Act 2 Scene 1- 2 Questions

1) What does Polonius tell Reynaldo in the opening of Act II? How does he plan to trap his son?

Polonius tells Reynaldo to go to Paris, and make things up about his son Leatres. He plans to trap his son with false rumors about him.

2) What does this say about Polonius?

Polonius is very watchful, and doesn't really trust his son - or anybody.

3) What particularly in Act II scene 1 has disturbed Ophelia?

Hamlet entered her room, with all his clothes dismantled, and he didn't say a word to her.

4) Why have Rosencrantez and Guildenstern been sent to Denmark?

They have been sent to Denmark to spy on Hamlet.

5) What does Hamlet ask the players to recite? How does the allusion mimic Hamlet’s position?

The conversation between Aeneas and Dido where Aeneas is telling her about the death of King Priam at the hands of Pyrrhus. It mimics Hamlet's situation because Pyrrhus was also in pursuit of vengeance for his father's death.

Identify the following speaker of the following lines and discuss to whom the lines are being delivered, and what do the lines mean?


6) “No, my lord, but as you did command/ I did repel his letter, and denied his access to me”

Ophelia

7) “More matter less art”

Gertrude

8) “That I, the son of a dear father murdered,/ Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell/ Must like a whore unpack my heart with words"

Hamlet

9) “Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth/ And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,/ with windlasses and with assays of bias,/ By directions find directions out.”

Polonius

10) “For if the sun breeds maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion-Have you a daughter?”

Hamlet

11) List three metaphors (1 direct, 1 implied, 1 extended) from the play.

Direct: "Denmark's a prison"

Implied: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern selling themselves

Extended: Elsinore is a garden, and everyone is a different piece of it.

12) What proof does Polonius have that he believe indicates Hamlet’s love for Ophelia?

Hamlet's love letter to Ophelia.

13) Explain the quote, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” How does this relate to Hamlet.

Hamlet is saying that nothing we do can be categorized as good or bad, and the only reason "terrible" actions such as murder are considered taboo is because we make them so.

14) What is a fishmonger?

A pimp

15) Who was Jephthah?

He is a man from the bible figure whose wife was a prostitute and he ended up killing his daughter.

Hamlet Vocabulary Words

Countenance - appearance, especially the look or expression of the face; noun

Perilous - involving or full of grave risk or peril; hazardous; dangerous; adj.

Sullied - to soil, stain, or tarnish; verb

Apparition - a supernatural appearance of a person or thing, especially a ghost; a specter or phantom; wraith; noun

Portentous - of the nature of a portent; momentous; adj.

Calumnious - of, involving, or using calumny; slanderous; defamatory; adj.

Prodigal - wastefully or recklessly extravagant; adj.

Discourse - communication of thought by words; talk; conversation; noun

Canon - the body of rules, principles, or standards accepted as axiomatic and universally binding in a field of study or art; noun

Imminent - likely to occur at any moment; impending; adj.

HAMLET - Notes - Outline

Scene 1

Setting: Winter, Midnight, Castle Walls

Characters: Horatio, Barnado, Marcellus, Fransico, and Ghost

Fortinbras: Son of the Old King Fortinbras; he is the newphew of the current king. He is Hamelet's age, and looking to revenge his father's death. His name means to fortify (Fortinabras, Hamlet, Laertes).

Scene 2

Claudius/Gertrude's Marriage: 1st speech Claudius justifies his marriage to Gertrude; Claudius marries Gertrude quickly

Hamlet's Soliloquy # 1 pg. 14: 1) Hamlet wishes he could commit suicide that life would end; he sees no value in the world.  2) Garden metaphor set- up. 3) His father is dead; his uncle is nothing compared to him; and he berates his mother for marrying his uncle so quickly.

Garden Metaphor: Garden of Eden? Fall of Man? Or Denmark?

Scene 3

- Ophelia, she is a flower in the garden (Laertes warms her the "canker galls the infants of the spring".)

Laertes/Polonius: Both give advice to Ophelia

Scene 4

- Claudius is the Serpent in the garden (who seduces Eve and kills Adam)

Plot Outline:

Inciting Event: 

HAMLET Act 1 Scene 3 Re-act

Characters
Laertes - Dani
Ophelia - Kristal, Dani
Polonius - Kristal

Enter Laertes and Ophelia, his sister.

Laertes: Ophelia, I shall embark on my journey, don't fall in love with Hamlet.

Ophelia: What makes you think I will.

Laertes: Don't fall in love with Hamlet, because he is too youthful and vain.

Ophelia: How so?

Laertes: Don't get attached to Hamlet, because he cannot marry you. Hamlet's a higher rank than you, and it's a disgrace to be with him. Hamlet is dangerous, so keep yourself in control.

Ophelia: You should take your own advice.

Laertes: Don't worry about.

Enter Polonius

My father now comes now.

Polonius: Laertes you must leave now, be careful on your journey.

Laertes: Thanks my lord.

Polonius: Your servants await, you must leave now.

Laertes: Remember what I told you Ophelia.

Ophelia: Ok

Laertes: Goodbye

Laertes exit

Polonius: What did he say to you?

Ophelia: We talked about Lord Hamlet.

Polonius: Go on

Ophelia: Warned me to not to get involved with Lord Hamlet.

Polonius: Involved? Do you really Lord Hamlet wants you as his bride?

Ophelia: I don't know

Polonius: Think for yourself and your future. Marrying Hamlet would make me look bad.

Ophelia: Hamlet has proven his love for me in a honorable way.

Polonius: Go on

Ophelia: We have already talked about our vows of heaven.

Polonius: Do not believe his vows. Don't let me say I told you so.

Ophelia: Ok

HAMLET Act 1 Scenes 3-4

1) What is Laertes advice to Ophelia?

 Don't get attached with hamlet, because he cannot marry her.

2) How does “The canker galls the infants of the spring/ too oft before their buttons be disclos’d” fit into the ideology of the decaying garden?

This fits into the idea of the decaying garden, because infants are seen as this springy feeling, whereas when they start to grow up they begin to decay as they go through life.

3) What analogy does Ophelia give to her brother as an answer to his advice? What does she mean?

That he should follow his own advice, she means that her brother never takes his own advice when it comes to similar situations.

4) List five of the “few precepts” that Polonius gives to Laertes.

Polonius advises him to keep his thoughts to himself, to be friendly without being common or inappropriate in his actions, and have a few close friends, but keep a respectful distance from acquaintances. He tells him to be a good listener, but don't talk too much. Laertes should purchase nice clothing but nothing too gaudy that will outshine his peers. He should not borrow or lend money. He finally tells Laertes to be true to himself and this will be reflected in his authenticity with his fellow man.
5) In lines 105-109, what is the metaphor that Polonius uses to describe Hamlet’s words of love?

“you’ll tender me a fool” Hamlet ‘s love is fake money
6) List and explain one metaphor found in the lines 115-135.

"Ay, springes to catch woodcocks." (115) Polonius is comparing Hamlet to a trap
7) What is Polonius’ command to Ophelia?

He tells her to never talk to Hamlet again.
SCENE 4

8) In scene 4, what is Hamlet talking about in lines 13-38?

Hamlet says that he does not like the tradition of firing the cannon every time the king drinks.
9) Why doesn’t Horatio want Hamlet to follow the ghost?

Horatio was worried that if he were to follow the ghost that it might drive him insane.
10) What is Hamlet’s command to the three guards?

Hamlet repeatedly made the guards swear on his sword that they would never talk about the ghost.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 1 Questions

1) How is interest created in the opening scene?

Interest is created in the opening scene when the soldiers start talking about the ghost haunting the halls.

2) What information are we given to help us understand the situation?

That Denmark is going to war with Norway over land that Norway lost; they want it back.

3) What happens at the end of the scene to create suspense and keep up the reader’s interest?

The ghost disappears and the soldiers think that the ghost is Hamlet's father.

4) What is the mood of the scene?

The mood of the scene is very serious and the soldiers question the ghost.

5) Why are the sentries apprehensive (there are two reasons)?

1. They are preparing for war with Norway

2. They are also seeing this ghost in armor roaming the hallways.

6) What reasons are suggested by Horatio for the appearance of the late King’s ghost?

Norway is about to go to war with Denmark to take back the land that the late King took from them during a duel.

7) Who are the characters present in the scene?

Three soldiers: Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo, and the ghost of the late King.

8) List one thing Horatio says about the former King?

Horatio says that the former King betted more than he had in the duel with Fortinbras (former King of Norway).

9) Who is young Fortinbras?

The nephew of the late King Fortinbras.

10) What does Horatio say happened in Rome after Julius Caesar was murdered?

Rome fell apart.

11) How does Horatio differ from Marcellus and Barnardo in scene 1?

Horatio seems to know what's going on whereas Marcellus and Barnardo don't really have any idea.

12) What is Horatio’s purpose in scene 1 (why is he present)?

Horatio's purpose is to inform the readers and the other soliders of what has happen so far and why.

13) What past history (Denmark’s history) is revealed in scene 1?

Denmark has won land from Norway and now Norway wants that land back.