Core Concept #2 (11/29/10-12/10/10)

For past two weeks, we have discussed explicitly on Hamlet. 

Some of the things we have discussed were:

• Did Ophelia even care about Hamlet? Some people argued that since Ophelia decided not to help Hamlet when he was in emotional distress because of losing of his father and the fact that his mom remarrying his uncle, she did not have a feeling for Hamlet. Also, when Hamlet came to Ophelia, holding her waists and sighing, then walked away, Ophelia did not go after him. Instead, she went directly to her father. In addition, when Hamlet asked Ophelia where her father was when they were talking, Ophelia replied that her father was in the home, instead of giving him a signal that his father was hidden in the room.

Connections: In Oedipus, Oedipus's mother, or also known as his wife, seems to not care about her son at all. In fact, she decided to abandon him on the mountain. No mother will ever do that cruel thing to her own son

• Was Ophelia pregnant? There are sufficient amount of evidences to state that Ophelia was indeed pregnant when she drown herself. For example, she sang a song about the dead violets, which seem to convey the message of losing innocent. Also, in Elizabethan time, an unmarried and pregnant woman often drowned herself in the water.

• Does it even matter if everyone thinks the Hamlet exactly same way?: In certain Africa tribes, they thought Hamlet differently than most European Countries. For example, one of the tribes thought that the Laetes killed Ophelia, which is surely not to be agreed upon in Okemos High School’s English classes.

Connections: My grandmother strongly believes that the Huckleberry Finn is racist even though he was the one who saved Jim, the slave. I have tried to convince her that that is not the case but she is stubborn with her decison. We don't exactly share the values same way.


We have watched three film versions of Hamlet. One of the films that we watched carried a certain message: Hamlet is gay. For example, when the ghost Hamlet appeared, Hamlet laid upon the Horatio’s lap.

Homework

-Ophelia Forum due on December 2nd

-Ophelia Forum part 2 due on December 3rd

-"Shakespeare in the Bush" due on December 5th
-"Shakespeare in the Bush" part 2 due on December 6th

-Journal Evaluations due on December 6th.

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