Hamlet #6

                In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet continues to be isolated from society throughout the final acts of the play. In Act 3, Scene 4, Hamlet talks to Gertrude. During the conversation Hamlet ends up killing Polonius because Hamlet thought Polonius was Claudius. Gertrude is understandably shaken by Hamlet’s violent outburst, and she must also be afraid that Hamlet is going to kill her as well. However, Gertrude attempts to hide her fear by agreeing with Hamlet. Hamlet reprimands Gertrude on her behavior since Laertes died, and Gertrude responds, “Thou turn’st my eyes into my <very> soul” (III.iv.100). Hamlet believes he is having a major breakthrough with Gertrude, but the queen is simply pretending to be on Hamlet’s side in order to save herself. Once Hamlet starts talking to the ghost, Gertrude is certain that Hamlet is crazy since Gertrude cannot see the ghost. In the next act, Gertrude describes Hamlet to Claudius: “Mad as the sea and wind when both contend / Which is the mightier” (IV.i.7-8). Just when Hamlet begins to believe he is beginning to get a grasp on society again, Hamlet ends up being mistaken by a madman due to his interaction with the ghost and his violent actions. Even Hamlet’s own mother has lost all hope for her son’s sanity. All in all, Hamlet continues to appear crazier, and thus Hamlet becomes more and more isolated from the world.

Poem #4

Keeping Him Alive

Sitting on my grandfather's lap,
I look about the room
scanning the statues and carpets and overflowing bookshelves
a scene I know all too well, and I feel
comforted, as my grandfather speaks about some distant war,
a time I have never know, but somehow
the stories come alive.
His voice rises and falls like the sound of marching soldiers
he speaks of a fallen friend
and the man whose life he took on his first and final shot
He wants me to know these stories
I must know these stories-

But I was too young to understand
And maybe, I still am. Yet,
I will continue to keep his story alive:
Grandpa, I won't let you down.

Poem #3

Ode to My Shift

The engine stops. Wind blows.
A big sigh, and-
Time to sprint! I rush to the door
Passed the greeter and the manager and the cashier
all the way to the back of the club
just. in. time.

Punching in at 9:00 am.

I sign on to the register
Clean the belt
And the coffee grinders.
A monotonous routine,
broken up only by the occasional member:
"Can you tell me where I can find this?"
"Of course!" I hear myself answer
in a voice all too chipper for only...

10:30 am?

The store is quiet- church time.
But it's only the 'calm before the storm'.

And then it's 11:15 am.

Brace yourself...
"Hi! How are you? Can I see your membership card?
Let me get that for you. No need to pick up that heavy bag yourself!"
The beeping and the hustling and the bustling and the humming that is the middle of the day
Surrounds me, and I watch
As the lines get more crowded and the people get more impatient and the spills become more frequent and I just want some

Peace. 1:00 pm; my break.
All too short.

Then it's
back to the beeping and the hustling and the bustling and the humming that is the middle of the afternoon
and the lines get long and the people get cranky and the spills keep happening
and all I can do is
keep this smile fixed upon my face
faking a cheerfulness I didn't know what possible
waiting...
    waiting for:

freedom. 3:00 pm.

Hamlet #5

                During Act 3, Scene 2 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet invites Claudius and his mother to a play. The play is a reenactment of what Hamlet believes to have happened around the time of his father’s death. When a character named Lucianus enters the play, Hamlet says, “This one is Lucianus, nephew to the king” (III.ii.268). Ophelia replies to Hamlet’s extensive knowledge of the play by saying, “You are as good as a chorus, my lord” (III.ii.269). Ophelia appears to suspect that Hamlet set up the play to be a direct comparison between the recent events of Claudius and Gertrude.  She has seen the recent change in Hamlet’s behavior, and Ophelia knows that Hamlet is bothered by the recent marriage between his mother and uncle. The combined madness in Hamlet’s behavior and Polonius’s warnings about Hamlet cause Ophelia to distance herself from Hamlet. Ophelia knows Hamlet invited Claudius and Gertrude to the play out of poor intentions. Everyone is trying to figure out what has caused the recent change in Hamlet, and Ophelia is the character who appears to know the most about Hamlet’s behavior; however, no one is asking Ophelia her opinion on Hamlet. Thus, Claudius may be able to learn what is wrong with Hamlet if the king realizes he must ask Ophelia about the change in behavior.

Hamlet #4

                At the end of Act 2, Hamlet vows that he will “catch the conscience of the King” during the play (II.ii.633-634). Hamlet wants to determine whether or not the Claudius killed King Hamlet. There is nothing Hamlet hates more than people appearing to be something they are not, and Hamlet believes that Claudius is attempting to cover up the murder. Hamlet also believes that “the guilty creatures sitting at a play” cannot hide their emotions when faced with a play that mirrors the source of the guilt (II.ii.618). Hamlet realizes that the theater is a façade of real life, but Hamlet also realizes that the theater also directly connects to the audience and makes the audience react in a very pronounced way. A reaction from Claudius during the play will confirm Hamlet’s suspicions on whether or not Claudius killed King Hamlet. However, a reaction during a play is not enough proof to determine whether or not a person committed murder. Unfortunately, Hamlet is a moody, impulsive teenager who appears to be going mad. That madness will cause Hamlet to think irrationally, and Hamlet will most likely not be able to see that he does not have enough evidence to accuse Claudius of murder. All in all, Hamlet’s current instability will surely be a factor that drives the tragedy of the play.

Sound and Sense #14: Structure Poem

The Death of a Dream

You are young, believing you can be anything.

A veterinarian caring

An actor starring

The President taking charge

But me… I want to be a soccer player.

You grow older, believing you can be anything.

On with the shin guards

Now time for the socks

Lace up the beloved cleats

Time to go to practice.

You make sacrifices, knowing you can be anything.

A repeated phrase

Said not with regret-

But with pride.

I can’t, I have soccer.

You keep playing, and the plans change.

Soccer isn’t realistic

Think about your future

It’s time to grow up…

Is this what maturing means?

Can it really mean the death-

of a dream?

Poem Post #2

Mother Knows Best

Are your clothes packed?
Bags ready?
Do you have enough shampoo?
Are you sure you have your toothbrush?
Here, let me check for you.

Is your dorm set?
All clean?
I'll be checking up for sure.
Don't forget how to do your laundry!
You won't have me to guide you anymore.

Remember to make your bed
and dust the furniture
and sweep the floor.
Always make sure to use your Purell
and separate the whites
Can I think of anything more?...

Hey! Don't roll your eyes at me!
never forget that mother knows best.

Hamlet #2

                In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the family dynamic between Hamlet, his mother, and Claudius is very unstable. However, the family dynamic between Laertes, Ophelia, and Polonius is very stable. Ophelia is currently dating Hamlet, but Polonius does not want his daughter dating Hamlet. After Polonius voices his negative opinion of Hamlet, Ophelia says, “I shall obey, my lord” (I.iii.145). Instead of being a defiant teenager, Ophelia respects her father’s opinion of Hamlet. Ophelia’s response shows that she has a great respect for her father. On the contrary, Hamlet has no respect for Claudius as is shown when Hamlet publicly ridicules his mother and Claudius in front of the entire council. Laertes’ respect for Polonius is shown when Claudius is told leave by Polonius: “Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord” (I.iii.87). Laertes never talks back to his father; he simply obeys Polonius’ wishes. All in all, Laertes and Ophelia have a great respect for their father, while Hamlet does not hesitate to voice his disapproval of his mother’s and Claudius’ choices.