Tues. Jan. 19 - Fri. Jan. 22, 2016: Test Prep

On Tuesday, I gave you a breakdown about the exam as well as student chosen essay choice. If you were not here, you will need to get the notes from a classmate.
For the duration of this week, the students will be working on sample multiple choice questions, test prep, and creation of a cheat sheet that is due on Friday. The final exam is on Monday, at 9 am in my class.

Mon. Jan. 18, 2016: Hamlet Completion

Today, we watched the ending of Hamlet. I am not able to speak, so we did questions/answers thru Microsoft. Here's the notes.

Hamlet

Questions and answers

Okay, Ophelia MAY have killed herself. She was certainly crazy. Some modern analysts wonder if it would be correct to infer that she might have been pregnant. If this is the case, she would not “quicken (feel life)” until after three months gestation. If she was pregnant, it makes suicide her possible escape from a greater sin.

When Hamlet was on the ship heading to England, the ship was overtaken by pirates. There was a battle and Hamlet ended up on the pirate ship. The night BEFORE, he had gone into Rosentcrantz and Guildenstern’s bag, found the letter for the king of England demanding his death and rewrote it to have the king of England kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern… So much for friendship.

This is how he arrives back in Denmark (Pirates would have returned him for a price).

The sword fight was a way for the king to kill Hamlet without it reflecting on him. He allows Laertes to be the “weapon.” As I wrote on Friday, they were in overkill mode (unbated sword, poison on tip, and poisoned wine).

Unfortunately, Hamlet switched swords and Gertrude drank the wine. A true tragedy is when everyone of importance dies. This is the case here.

The ending is a bit off. A representative comes from England to get the country’s thanks: Fortinbras comes from the Polish wars to thank King Claudius for safe passage (not to attack!!!!!)

Hamlet, as the LAST living royalty, does pass on his vote for Fortinbras to be the next king (they are probably blood relatives). This is what happens.

Any other questions? Now is the time. I do want you to read the summaries presented in that booklet I gave all of you and do recommend addressing the questions. Shakespeare is hard to read without input (my job: sorry. I have failed here) but can also be hard to watch as the language moves so fast.

Laertes is knicked by his own poisoned sword after they have the scuffle as the swords are switched.

Suspension of disbelief, Carah. There is no reason. In this version, the fall would probably have sped up Laertes’ death, but there is no fall in the play.

Hamlet was knicked on the back… he gets irate as he realized the sword doesn’t have a protective tip on it, so they fight and the swords both fall. Hamlet picks up the one with the poison.

It seems to be an accident. Just a moment of confusion; however, if someone intentially stabbed me, I would want the sword without the protective tip… wouldn’t you? Of course, Hamlet would not have known about the poison.

There IS an Osric. He mimmicks Polonius in his role as a suck up. Put the hat on… it is cold… take it off…. It is hot. These guys were courtesans in the court to BE flatterers!!!

It was meant to be comic relief.

At the funeral, Hamlet DOES also jump in the grave. The word “quick” means life. Both men argue that they want to be buried alive with Ophelia. It is a pretty crazy scene. It is also at the burial that we learn that Gertrude would have supported Ophelia and Hamlet’s marriage!!!!!

Fri. Jan. 15, 2016: Hamlet

Due to not being able to speak, the class watched a portion of Hamlet. This portion covers Ophelia's madness scenes, her brother's return to avenge his father's death, Laertes realization (with the help of Claudius) that Hamlet is to blame for both his father's death and his sister's condition. The king hints that he has taken care of Hamlet already, but a letter arrives from Hamlet stating he is back in Denmark. In response, the king and Laertes plan to engage Hamlet in a rapier competition in which he will be killed by either a sword without a protective tip, poison on the tip, or poisoned wine.
We also learned of Ophelia's death, which is questioned as being either suicide or not, though the coroner has determined it was an accident (the grave-diggers and much of the church does not agree).
We stopped watching at the point that Hamlet is holding the Jester's skull and remembering what he was like in life.
I also want to mention more thing: while the queen seems supportive of Hamlet, she still defends her husband from Laertes. Her heart is indeed torn.

If you were not here, read up to Act 5, Scene 1 (page 133, line 179).

Thurs. Jan. 14, 2016: Hamlet

Today, we read up to Act IV, Scene 5 (page 111, line 108). At this point, Ophelia is crazy and her brother is returning from France, angry and ready to seek revenge. He has even gathered many around him who want the king overthrown in favour of Laertes.

Weed. Jan. 13, 2016: Hamlet

Today, we finished reading Act III of Hamlet.

Tues. Jan. 12, 2016: Hamlet Continued

Today, we read up to Act 3, Scene 4. We will start Act III Scene 4 tomorrow.

Mon. Jan. 11, 2016: Hamlet

Today, we read up to Act III, Scene 11, line 103. (page 77: at the top). At this point, Hamlet has just been asked by Gertrude to sit with him an watch the play, but Hamlet has decided to try to sit with Ophelia.
I also told students to study the "15 Common Errors" booklet as such error identification and correction will be a part of the final as well as improve writing.

Fri. Jan. 8. 2016: Hamlet

Today, students completed reading Act II of Hamlet. We will start Act III on Monday.

Thurs. Jan. 6, 2015: Hamlet: Act 1 Completion

Today, we finished reading Act I of Hamlet.
If you were not here, there are questions pertaining to this act in your portfolio. Please answer and submit.

Wed. Jan. 6, 2016: Hamlet and Novel Study Reminder

Today, we read up to the end of Act 1, Scene 3 of Hamlet.
Just a reminder. You novel study is DEADLINED for 4:30 pm today. You have had four months to do this and many of you have handed it in already (thank you).

Tues. Jan. 5, 2016: Hamlet Act 1, Scenes 1 and part of two

Today, we began reading Hamlet. We got up to Act 1, Scene two, at the point where Claudius and Gertrude are questioning why Hamlet is still so depressed (in your text, it is page 13, line 95. If you were not here, I will have questions for you to answer to ensure understanding. This is not a time to miss class as you will need this understanding for the final.

Mon. Jan. 4, 2016: Hamlet Introduction and major assignment deadline reminder

Today, I reminded students of their Wednesday, 4:30 pm deadline for their independent novel studies.
I then went on you introduce Hamlet. If you were not here, you need to get the play from the library.
I gave an overview of Feudalism, the religious uproar of the times, the types of entertainment available and then attempted to show why plays were seen as such a valuable escape from reality.
I then gave an overview of the play from the character's to the reasons Hamlet is unhappy to the goal or desired outcome.
I really want to stress that this is not a time to be missing ANY English class. We will be racing through this play and I will explain it as we go; however, missing it means serious confusion for most. If you miss class, you will have to do questions to demonstrate understanding.