IOC OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION: BRIEFLY, What is important about this passage? (Why was it chosen?) What key ideas does it capture (about characters, relationships, themes, etc.)? What is the context of the passage (where does it fit in the play?)
BODY (PART 1): THE PASSAGE: Discuss what is important about this passage. Consider the following:
a) What does it reveal about character(s)?
b) What does it reveal about theme(s)?
c) Discuss the literature devices in the passage (Metaphors, allusions, personification, imagery, etc.)
BODY (PART 2): THE CONTEXT: Discuss how your passage fits into the overall story. Consider the following:
a) How is it crucial to the flow of the plot?
b) “Character development.” How did the character(s) get to this point? What does the passage confirm, refute, etc. what you’ve witnessed so far with these characters?
c) Larger themes (big underlying ideas) of the story. For example, does it connect with the theme of jealousy? Revenge? Deception? Delusion? Love?
d) Language: Are there metaphors, symbols or images in your passage that “echo” earlier ones?
CONCLUSION: Possibilities: What does it all add up to? ESSENTIALLY, why out of all the passages in the act did you think this one was picked? Perhaps choose a final quotation from the passage and explain how it sums up what's most important about the passage.
What Literary techniques do I look for in my excerpt?
What Literary techniques do I look for in my excerpt?
Act 1 Scene Two
This man Claudius. Sorry, King Claudius.
Consider Claudius' monologue.Do you agree with King his reasoning? What do you think about his actions as revealed in this scene?
Consider Claudius' monologue.Do you agree with King his reasoning? What do you think about his actions as revealed in this scene?
- Define Setting.
- Consider the when and where (illustrate from the scene). What atmosphere is created by the setting of this scene.You can find a modern text version here
- What questions do you have at the end of this scene? Predict what will happen in the next scene. Post your questions and predictions as comments.
In the next scene i predict that the ghost will reappear however, this time a message will be conveyed by the ghost to one of the guards that have witnessed it. Furthermore i also think that the ghost has a very important message to tell about his death, because it keeps reappearing very abruptly.
ReplyDeleteThe question i have:
-What is the significance of the ghost in this scene? And what does it symbolize?
-Is is normal for ghosts to be seen around the castle?
- The significance of religion : Christmas as a sign of purity where no ghosts or fairies exist?Does this have a biblical reference?
In Act1 scene 2, I believe the ghost will reappear and will be able to communicate and convey a message to Hamlet. The appearance of the ghost several times suggests that there is something urgent that has to be conveyed that may affect that state of the country.
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
Qn. Why did the playwrigth introduce the cock at the time the ghost reappeared?
Why doesn't the ghost convey the message to the guards on duty?
In Act 1 Scene 2, I guess the ghost will reappear, but this time not interrupted by a rooster and will consequently be able to convey the message that causes his reappearance. The message could be related to the state of the country and what is going to happen since they talk about a 'bad omen'
ReplyDeletePossible questions..
-What is the significance of the ghost appearing at a particular time of the night?
-What is the purpose of this ghost's appearance without conveying any message? significance?
As seen in previous plays by Shakespeare, his first act he creates many unanswered questions like who is so and so? what do they want? He does this to pull the audience in. The second act always shows the setting and introduces other characters that will play a major role, he shows how likes who etc. By doing this he is trying to get the audience in the loop of things so that they aren't lost. The ghost will not reappear for a while now as he Shakespeare doesn't want to looses the audiences interest in the play.
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
What is the relevance of the king coming back as a ghost?
Why is the ghost still wearing the armor?
Why does Shakespeare make the guards look like fools because they are trying to hit a ghost?
there is the element of superstition that exist within the setting of the play. this is due to the presence of the ghost and the story of the rooster. there is also a tense atmosphere within the act. it shows that there is a thin line between the existance of the dead and the living
ReplyDeletePersonally, I felt like there was a very muted reaction towards the appearance of the ghost; Much more calmer than I would have expected. Perhaps because two of the guards had already seen him previously.
ReplyDeleteMy curiousity is definitely getting the better of me as I read further, just as Shakespeare intends, and my prediction for the next scene is similar to Michelle's - The ghost will make infrequent appearances in the castle and it is possible that Prince Hamlet does not manage to see him for a while, so that the readers are kept on their toes and on the look out for the ghost just as much as the characters in the play are.
My questions:
- Is the ghost really King Hamlet?
A small but significant question as the ghost being King Hamlet or not is the main thing that matters, that will set the rest of the evnts rolling.
- HOW did King Hamlet die? Was there an element of injustice or brutality in his death? Does his reappearance as a ghost, if it is him, have to do with vengeance, seeking revenge against the people who killed him?
The setting is in the kingdom of Denmark: ‘ In which the majesty of buried Denmark’. It is in a superstitious setting and the suspense is built through the ghost’s refusal to talk and the guards determination to find out what it has to say which makes the atmosphere tense and spooky.
ReplyDeleteIn the next scene I expect to see the ghost again, but this time with Hamlet and this time, he will reveal the truth.
Questions:
Why is the ghost there? What does he want to say? Will it be helpful in the brewing war?
I think it is interesting how even though the play is set in a place where the majority is Anglican he mentions 'Neptune'(Act 1, Scene 1,line 119), 'the fates'(Act 1, Scene 1,line 122)and refers to the sun as 'the god of day'( Act 1, Scene 1, line 152). It appears as though Shakespeare had a preoccupation with Greek mythology.Together with the idea of supersaturation and religion being prevalent in the scene and indeed the rest of the play leads me to the conclusion that Shakespeare is commenting on human belief systems. I feel as though it is a testament to the fickleness of human beliefs how even the educated among us(represented by Horatio) when faced with something we don't immediately understand revert to age old superstitions to explain them.
ReplyDeleteI predict that as the next scene unfolds we will gain further insight into the preceding action of the play.
Questions I have:
Why would spirits/ghost not be around in the winter? surely the fact that the nights are so long would mean that they are around a lot more?
Also there is the fact that it is the season where everything is dead so wouldn't that increase their presence further still?
Why does Shakespeare use names that don't sound particularly Danish?
setting is the geographical, historical place or a particular time (seasons, day/ night, etc) in which the story or an event takes place.
ReplyDeletesetting for Hamlet - Kingdom of Denmark in 1602.
atmosphere:
suspense:"have you yet had quiet guard?"
"not a mouse stirring" (line 9-10)
there seems to be an expectation of something out of the ordinary happening. it is as if the guards are looking out for something. the audience wonder what it is they are looking out for.
tension:"i think i hear them. Stand ho! Who is there?" (line 13-14)
every time somebody arrives at the gun platform, they question who it is as if they are expecting somebody and are anticipating his or her arrival.
fear/surprise: "how now Horatio? you tremble and look pale" (line 53)
even though Barnardo is mocking Horatio, the fact that the appearance of the ghost startled Horatio remains.
the fact that this scene is taking place at night also adds to the suspense and tension because usually it is during the night that unexpected and odd things happen - especially supernatural phenomena.
this scene basically introduces the initial conflict and introduces some of the key characters involved in the play. personally, i felt that the reaction to the ghost's appearance allowed the audience to receive enough information about the role of the ghost for the time being. giving up its presence would have lessened the curiosity aroused in the audience. the setting and the description of the characters also allows the audience to divulge the pace and sort of events that might take place through the play. we know there is the possibility of a war, a connection between the ghost and Hamlet and we know that the ghost and warlike setting are somehow connected since the ghost was dressed in battle regalia.
questions:
why didn't the ghost go directly to Hamlet if that was who he wanted to see?
does the ghost have anything to do with Fortinbras wanting to regain his lost land?
what is the connection between the mention of Julius Caesar and the situation with Fortinbras, Hamlet, etc?
setting is the geographical location and time in which the story was written...
ReplyDeleteThe atmosphere created would be a tense one "who's there?" "Nay answer me.stand and unfold yourself." (1-2) the opening lines of chapter one puts the reader in suspense as well.
what i predict will happen in the next scene is the reappearance of the ghost maybe this time to Hamlet himself and not the guards. however the questions that i have in mind are:
what is the purpose of the ghost appearing to the guards and not young Hamlet if it intends to speak to him and not them?
why is the ghost in an armour? and if it is the ghost of the late king, what happened to him that makes him wander around in spirit form?