Hamlet wants his mom

Heinrich

2008-03-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I hada conversation with my friend Aaron, who's in the Air Force. He made a comment about valor and honor amongst soldiers, and I saw a perfect opprotunity to deconstruct something. I began asking a series of questions about, "what is honor?," and "is patriotism real?," and what's the point of being faithful to anything bigger than ourselves. After totally pissing him off, which I could tell by the veins in his forehead popping out I explained that it was my homework to argue about something with someone. He almomst killed me.

Characterization

2008-01-27T22:47:00.001-08:00

I believe that as a Christian there are certain limitations as to what you shoud do in an acting position. I think it is hard to draw a definite line for everyone because I think everyone sets standards based on what they believe is right. At the risk of sounding like a moral reletivist I believe that trying to push your beliefs on others is legalistic. As long as peopole are within moral and biblical standards I think they're ok. I have much more to say...but I'm really tired...goodnight =)

Effects of Hyperreality...

2008-01-27T22:47:00.000-08:00

The term hyperreality is defined as the "inability to distinguish reality from fantasy. Hyperreality redefines reality. It changes waht we view as "real." The most widely used example is the power that the media has to radically shape and filter situations and experiences and depict an entirely different message. Things that are "Hyper-real" are things we have come up with. We use words to express thing, when in reality words are nothing...we live in Hyper-reality. Movies depict love as a moment where a guy and a girl have fallen in love and, typically, they kiss in front of a sunset scene, with violins and cellos playing in the background. When was the last time you were making out with someone and random classical theme music errupted from nowhere? Right, never. But when you think about a perfect date, you tend to picture something along the lines of a beach, at sunset, with that same classical theme music, and the whole scene fades to black. Life isn't what is depcted in most movies. You eliminate reality when you cram someone's life into 2 hours of filmography and theme music. You make life into Hyperreality, because you tell a "story." When in reality you've not begun to scratch the surface of the story. Movies and other sources of media are a clip of a story. Life goes on for the characters after the screen fades to black...you're just left in the dark (pun intended).

Basically, Hyperreality has had a tremendous effect on society. It has altered everything we think about, and forced us into a fake existence...

MJ,
I'm glad you assigned this. I know it was supposed to be punishment cause some of our classmates are "DB's" but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this, and I'm very opinionated on this topic...this is actually the basis for the book I'm writing, so it helped alot.

-KC

Postmodernity/Christianity

2008-01-20T23:20:00.000-08:00

I believe that Postmodernism is, like everything else, is something that must be asessed. There are truths and falsehoods to everything. I believe the best way for us as Christians to counter postmodernism is with truth. Postmodernism denies absolute tuth...we need to prove that it exists.

Peace Out
-KC

Why end on a boat?

2008-01-13T23:47:00.000-08:00

This movie was so messed up you could basically come up with any number of crazy explainations as to why it ends on a boat. I believe it sums up the feeling of the story. The characters seem to be just wandering the earth with no steady direction or destination (like a ship). They seem to be floationg through their existence, swaying back and forth with every turn of the plot (like a ship). They seem to be at the mercy of other factors in the story, never determining their own course (like a ship).

The ship is symbolic of their lives as they relate to the story.

Escaping the Colony

2008-01-11T23:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight I foud a man in Kent that I see quite frequently asking for money. He is a homeless man in Kent. I approached him and spoke to him briefly on the street. After getting some of his story I asked him if he'd like a cup of coffee. We went to Starbucks and sat and had coffee and scones. Our conversation lasted around 45 miniutes. It was cool to get his story and be able to change my perspective a little bit.

(I'll give details about his story in class)

-KC

Questions

2008-01-08T20:13:00.000-08:00

I believe the game of questions is a great thing to add to a play about existence. I personally think it is added because we, as humans, naturally question our existence. What are we, who are we, and where did we come from? Our existence itself means nothing if we don't realize that it does in fact exist...if that make sense...sorry.

It kinda goes with the quote..."I think therefore I am."
How do I know I exist...by the very fact that I am questioning my existence.

(hope that works...might be too short)

Anti-Structure

2007-12-13T08:31:00.000-08:00

As we have discussed in class, the structure, or lack there of in Elliot's writing allows the reader to visualize the chaos in the story. It is an articulate way of showing the reader what he is trying to express. While reading it you can see that things are a mess, and aren't what they should be.

Book or Movie?

2007-12-03T22:17:00.000-08:00

I would have to say I prefer the written form of the play rather than the movie. I do believe, however, that the movie captures the feelings and emotion of the play. Then again I don't know what the true feelings of the play are. So, to say that I believe the movie lines up with the play, would only be to say that the movie lines up with my interpretation of the play. Thus is the reason I would stick with the written form of the play. Even if I do not understand it all, I will not be lead astray by false interpretations, lest they be my own.

I don't know why I decided to use old English at the end...but it fits doesn't it? =)

Reflecting Society?!

2007-11-29T23:15:00.000-08:00

I definately believe that any form of art is a reflection. Sometimes it reflects our society, sometimes it reflects all of human nature, but it always reflects us. We express ourselves through art because just telling people what we think and feel doesn't seem good enough. If I say, "I love you with all of my heart," that is a great sentiment, but if I write you a song expressing all of the thing s that I love about you, and how my heart skips a beat evertime I see you, that shows how I feel.
To proform a play is like telling a story, but rather than telling what has happened...you articulate it in a way that brings the story to life.

So, yes...the play is meant to portray truth.

(I kinda forgot what the question was so I rambled a little...deal with it)

Hamlet...problem or not?

2007-11-27T21:49:00.001-08:00

I believe Claudius sees Hamlet as a possible threat, but I don't think he knows that Hamlet has any real information. Just by looking at context it would appear that he is so paranoid he thinks Hamlet could see right through him if he really looked. It's the same feeling you get when you do something and don't get caught. You feel as though everyone can see what you've done everytime they look into your eyes.

Does Hamlet Love Ophelia?

2007-11-27T21:49:00.000-08:00

Yes and No.
No I'm not avoiding the question, I can explain.

Hamlet believes he loves Ophelia, so in one way yes he "loves" her. He is infatuated with her and clearly wants to be with her. At first glance, one would assume that Hamlet was in love with Ophelia.

HOWEVER! Based on Hamlet's generalization of women and the fact that he also loves his mother, one could draw that he is showing her affection as a substitute foe Gertrude. After all he must know that hitting on his mother probably wouldn't go over well amongst the people (and it would be awkward).
Also, since Hamlet loves his mother as well as Ophelia, you could say that he doesn't legitimately love either of them. From experience I can say that this looks much like a high school relationship. The word "love" is used lightly, and thrown around FAR too much, also the ones saying it hardly ever know what it means. When you have to think about, "well do I love her, or do I love her?" You don't love either. You shouldn't be torn between two people and you shouldn't have to make a decision and hope you made the right one.

I rambled a little bit...but NO, he doesn't love her.