Monday, November 12, 2012

Hamlet Act 2 Fishbowl

151 comments:

  1. is it Renaldo who is spent to spy on Laertes? Also why does Polonius want to make Laertes look like a bad person, does he want heim to turn home?

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    1. I think Polonius wants Renaldo to spread all these rumors about Laertes in order to test Laertes and see what his reaction would be in a scandalous situation. He puts Laertes against these rumors in order to see for himself if he is truly prepared for an independent life and defend the family name.

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  2. Why do you think Pelonious is protective or controlling over Laertes?

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    1. He just wants the best for his son. He dosent want to see Laertes fall into corrupt social norms that take him in the wrong direction in life.

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    2. One of the main reasons that Pelonious is so protective over Laertes is because Laertes is his son and he only wants the best for his son

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    3. Pelonious doesn't trust him. I don't think he sends a spy to protect him, but more to just keep an eye on what his son is up to while away from home.

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    4. Polonius is Laertes father so he is going to be protective of him because he wants him to turn out well. He wants to set him up for a future and not let him experience the fun things which comes with being a young man. Polonius is just watching out for his son and wants the best for him.

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    5. He also wants to protect his families name and his reputation.

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  3. Are Rosengrantz and Guildenstern true friends to Hamlet?

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    1. good question sam, let me answer that for you. No, they are not true friends of Hamlet. they were friends but their only motive to see Hamlet was because the king and queen sent R and G to spy. real friends would not do such things

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    2. Good enthusiasm Colton, i would have to agree with you. True friends wouldnt spy on you behind your back. Its as simple as that.

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    3. No because they have their first loyalty to the King and Queen due to the fact that they will follow their orders to spy on Hamlet, showing they do not trust Hamlet and his behavior, don't confront him first about the situation, and would actually become suspicious of his actions.

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    4. I feel that when Hamlet, Guildenstern, and Rosencrantz were young children then they were probably very good friends. As they grew older and went off to their higher education they probably fell apart from each other.

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    5. Hamlet, R and G were child hood friends and since they arent friends anymore this allows R and G to believe spying on an old friend is ok. As Colton and Tristin said, true friends dont spy and deceive one another.

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    6. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent to keep watch on Hamlet and are to report his actions to Claudius. Although they attended the same University as Hamlet a friend of hamlets would not answer to Claudius. I don't believe they are true friends.

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    7. I'd say that R and G are true friends to hamlet because they fess up to what they are doing and they feel bad about their cause after they fess up.

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  4. What is Shakespeare saying about friendship during this act?

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    1. With the characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Shakespeare shows the readers how easily friendships can be manipulated by third parties.

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    2. Friendship is something that you dont take advantage of. Also a good friend can help you through the toughest of times.

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    3. I think that he is definitely pointing out how every relationship is questionable. It's as if Shakespeare is extremely skeptical about any relationships and he makes that apparent when he explains Guildenstern and Rosencrantz relationship with Hamlet. They're supposed to be his friends but they're intentions aren't respectable.

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    4. I think Shakespeare is saying that you cant always trust your friends and that they can turn on you at any moment. I think that he shows this through Resengrantz and Guildenstern and how they choose to go "spy" on their friend rather then trust him.

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    5. I think Shakespeare is saying that real friends are hard to come by. For example, Rosengrantz and Guildenstern are both fake friends to Hamlet in my opinion because they were just using him. Real friends would actually help you out instead of sneak around you and worry about spying on you.

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    6. Based on this scene it seems that Shakespeare dose not hold friendship with high regard. It seems common place that friends would spy on one another. And based on Pelounous actions with Laertes, people cannot be trusted among friends.

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    7. What Shakespeare might be saying about friendship is that it is very easy to brake when it comes down who it effects

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    8. Shakespeare seems to feel very negative on friendship. Shakespeare is showing that as friendships goes on, people lose the whole concept of friendship and become untrustworthy.

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    9. I agree with Jessica, it is very difficult to find true friends in life. R and G have been "friends" with Hamlet every since they were young, yet they still jump to the idea of spying and liying on Hamlet when someone of higher stature enters the picture. It is showing how the idea of popularity plays into true friendships. I think that Shakespeare thinks that true friends are people with dignity and respect for themselves, not selfish, low personalities.

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  5. When it comes to Polonius, in this act we see him having great care for Ophelia. Do you believe that this is because Polonius is a good father, or is it because he still only cares about the family name?

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    1. I believe that it is a combination of both because he is trying to be the best father he can but he also dosent want to tarnish the family name for generations to come.

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    2. I think it mostly has to do with his families name, but also his care for Ophelia. When she comes to him upset over Hamlets actions he seems to feel guilty. Like he understands that it is his fault that he placed his daughter in the situation and he feels bad about that.

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    3. Polonius cares more about the family name then his daughter. You see the same when he sends someone to spy on his son b/c he thinks its in best intrest for Laertes to come home. If he would sacrifice his sons education then why wouldnt he chose the family name over the wellbeing of his daughter

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    4. I think that Polonius cares for Ophelia somewhat, but I think that he cares for the family name more than that and his family comes second to his own reputation.

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    5. I think he really just cares about his family name, he is so set out controlling his children and protecting them from doing anything wrong, so he can preserve his name. He can also keep a higher social status by having his children behave.

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    6. Polonius' actions indicate that he uses Ophelia's reports to use against Hamlet and report any suspicious scandal he might be up to. This shows that he cares about his loyalty to the King and sends spies to seek on Laertes in order to make sure that the family name is not embarrassed at a place in the world farther than he could control himself. It may seem as if he cares, but he cares mainly for himself.

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    7. I agree with the first comment. Like it's a combination of actually trying to look out for Ophelia's best interests, but also to protect the family name from being scandalized.

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    8. I think that Pelnious cares greatly for both Ophelia and Laertes. I think it is his corrupt parenting stlye that inflitrates the vision between understand wether he is a loving parent or a non-loving selfish parent. For example, Pelonious obviously cares about Laertes because he is curious about how is doing while he is at school, so much that he sends a spy to see what he is up to. It is strange, and controlling, but still loving in a way. Although i would say he also cares about the family name. However this was important to most families during this time period. I just think that the importance of that deceives us now because we are not used to caring about "the family name".

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    9. I agree with Ava, Polonius' is highly vein when it concerns his families name and is willing to do just about anything to keep it from gaining a bas wrath, but also he is a good father so he can raise his children in a certain way that the family name will not be tarnished.

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  6. How does Ophelia emphasize Shakespeare's image of women based on her telling Polonius immediately about Hamlet's suspicious behavior?

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    1. It helps emphasize that they are helpless. Like Ophelia can't deal with Hamlet on her own, she has to go running to her father instead of acting like a grown up and dealing with it on her own. Also it shows how submissive she is that the moment she does something against her father's will she runs to him.

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    2. When Ophelia felt as if she was in any sort of trouble, she immediately turned to a male figure, showing her weakness and that women rely heavily on men.

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    3. Ophelia goes running to Polonius immediately and in a frantic state. This shows how loyal and obedient to her father and to the rules put upon her Also it shows how Shakespeare thinks women are helpless without men and had to run to her father after a frightening moment.

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    4. She really proves that women were expected to be week, and when she ran to her father after Hamlet came to her she made it sound like she couldn't handle it by herself. She also would hate to get in trouble and so she is always obedient.

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  7. Tristin- I think Pelonious cares more about his own image then his children. He is worried that Laertes will do something so horrible that he will dishonor the family name. To avoid this, Pelonious discredits Laertes among his friends.

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    1. I think you are correct to an extent, however i believe that he still does care for his children. He just has an odd parenting style that comes of the way you explained it.

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  10. Do you think the type of manipulating and using people in Hamlet happens in todays society?

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    1. Definitely, people manipulate all the time and will go by any means to do so just as they do in Hamlet.

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    2. Yes because you always see people taking advantage of people that are closest to us.

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    3. I think that is does, in the 'friendships' for example you see a lot of people use others for their own benifit. R and G pretended to be Hamlets friend just to spy on him. Things like that happen all the time in todays society. For example, some people are only friends with rich people so they get presents, or nice things or status from their so called friend.

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    4. I think this happens all the time. I don't have any real life examples but manipulation is common in modern entertainment and literature. And a society's literature reflects the cultures values.

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    5. I definitely think it happens today, especially with all the social networking sites there are. Most high schoolers have several groups of friends and each group can manipulate the person to spend more time with them rather than another group of friends. This can be an easy way to break up a friendship when the feeling of jealousy comes into play.

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    6. Yes I think it does happen today, just in a different way. I think that people turn on their friends for money or for fame. Also I think people use other people to get what they want whether its pretending to be their friend, or trying to get money.

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    7. Absolutely. Manipulation is used today as a tool for people to get what they want. Like when Hamlet used Ophelia as a pawn in his scheme to get to Claudius, her feelings were toyed with in order for Hamlet to achieve one ultimate goal.

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    8. Yes, Sam. Manipulative people are striving for what they want. These types of people won't stop until they get what they want when they want it. They manipulate to guide their own fate, or to choose their friends and enemies.

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  11. Are there clues in the text that propose the fact that Hamlet knows that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent to spy on him?

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    1. I think Hamlet is so paranoid about his whole situation he doesn't trust anyone, he has one goal and he will do anything to accomplish it. Though R and G are his friends, Hamlet probably doesn't trust them based on the fact he feels everyone is against him and everyone might be spying on him.

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    2. I don't think there is a specific point in Act 2 that conveys that but Hamlet is a smart guy so he probably has realized that his Claudius would have someone to spy on him.

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    3. Yes I think there is, in 2.2.285-286 Hamlet says, "I know the good king and queen have sent you" Hamlet also acts kind of paranoid when he is talking with them and keeps reasking them why they are there and what they want.

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  12. When do you think Claudius will realize that Hamlet knows what happened with his father? A stubborn man like Claudius might not get the idea from the play that Hamlet is asking the actors to put on.

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    1. Based on how Claudius will react to the play will show if he knows what it is about and he might ask who put on the play and then he would find out that it was Hamlet and then figure it out then.

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    2. Though Claudius is stubborn, I think that he will get the picture just because he has the overhanging guilt/ haunting of killing his own brother and all of his terrible actions that it'd be sort of impossible not to get nervous watching a play that reenacts his own wrong-doing

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    3. Claudius is stubborn but he is not stupid. When he sees the play he will know someone knows what he did. And in Claudius position the person who will gain the most from reveling him is Hamlet.

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    4. I think he will probably get hints from other people, like Horatio and Marcellus, about what Hamlet knows and what he is up to.

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    5. Although Claudius seems to be a character very confident in himself and that he wouldn't be discovered, he isn't exactly dull to the possibility. He might play his emotions very cunningly, yet there is some indication that he is hostile, especially towards Hamlet's suspicious behavior, and sends Hamlet's best friends to spy on him. Because Hamlet is clever and is successful so far at churning up the idea of his insanity, I believe his plan is smart enough to put Claudius on edge.

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    6. Claudius will realize not only because of the play but because of how Hamlet acts around him. Hamlet will act very strange and awkward around him which will give Claudius the ultimate clue that Hamlet knows

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    7. I think although cladious is a stubborn man, he is also a smart man. I think he will pick up on Hamlets behaviour after awhile and he will begin to suspect. I think that the play will definently raise a red flag for cladious especcially if he notices Hamlets behaviour during the play.

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  13. Throughout this act, we see Hamlet's idea of going insane coming into play. Do you think that this plan is intelligent and will turn out well, or do you think that this might not turn out for the best?

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    1. I think that his "crazy" act will turn out very well for him because he will get much more attention this way.

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    2. The idea that Hamlet is going insane is genius because no one will realize what he is truly up to in his mind. He is putting on his own play by taking his friends and lover, and making them pawns on his playing board. His main goal is to get the killer of his father and his plan seems to be working so far.

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    3. I agree with what Savannah said. Acting insane will grab the attention that he needs to have to provide evidence for his plan to work out. Maybe at first acting "crazy" will push people away but, i believe it will work out in the end for Hamlet.

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  14. Will hamlet die at end of play? Please explain your reasoning

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    1. Well its Shakespeare so probably

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    2. Ya I am going to agree with Matt and say there is a good chance the main character will die. Shakespeare just loves killing the main character.

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    3. Probably since Hamlet is a tragedy.

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    4. I don't think so because even though it is Shakespeare the book doesn't seem like the type of book that would kill hamlet i feel that Claudius will die but not hamlet

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    5. i think it is better to think about how he dies, such as if he really will go through with suicide or Claudius will try to dispose of him, maybe even Polonius will kill him in order to "protect" Ophelia. Either way, the last scene is somewhat famous for Hamlet's death.

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    6. I feel that Hamlet will view getting revenge on Claudius will be his final deed. Hamlet is already suicidal.

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    7. I think that Claudious will eventually kill Hamlet

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  15. Do you believe Polonius wants Laertes to return home

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    1. I think that he does. He doesn't trust his son to not make a fool of himself and in turn make Polonius look like a fool. If Polonius trusted Laertes I think he would be fine with him being off but since he doesn't he wants him close to home so Polonius can keep an eye on Laertes.

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    2. Yes. In act one Polonius says he reluctantly gave Laertes permission to leave back to France. In his perfect world Polonius will have both his children with him acting perfectly in their station.

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    3. I agree with Jenny that Polonius doesn't trust his son not to make a fool of himself. Also there is the possibility that if Laertes does make a fool of himself anyway then he will ruin the family name and Polonius doesn't want that to happen.

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    4. I think Polonius wants his son to return home, partly because the trust between them is not completely there, but I also think that Polonius just doesn't want to let go of the control he's had over his son for the past give-or-take 20 years. He still wants that reassurance of obedience and compliance from Laertes.

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  16. Manipulating definitely happens in todays society, with media playing a big part in it.

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  17. On page 117, Hamlet says when talking about the play and his uncle, "I'll observe his looks; i'll tent him to the quick. If he do blench, I know my course." Do you think that when Claudius watches he play he will feel the guilt and show his emotions? Or will he keep his innocent look and show no emotion?

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    1. I think Claudius will crack. With all the guilt and regret floating over his head, I think the play will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and send Claudius over the edge.

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    2. I think Claudius will show great nerve during the play and he will show Hamlet he actually did kill his father. When he sees that he is basically watching a replay of what he did and he will get very flustered and we will see he actually did it.

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    3. I don't think it will really matter much how Claudius reacts. Hamlet wants to see Claudius react with guilt, and I think Hamlet will see exactly that regardless of what Claudius reaction actually is.

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    4. I think Claudius will show some kind of emotion that would be expected like acting shocked or appalled, but I think he will also show nervousness, and Hamlet will be the only one to notice it.

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    5. I think Claudius will be in denial that the play is a refection of his actions. He will believe that no one knows what he did. the play will freak him out but rather than confess he will pass his emotions off for something else.

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    6. Claudius will show a reaction. This is because he's not on guard because he thinks that king hamlet's murder is behind him and he doesn't have to deal with it anymore. So when it's brought up in the play he's going to react.

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  18. Do you think the Queen, Hamlets mother, knows about the Murder of the King by Claudius?

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    1. I don't think so, Shakespeare doesn't give much credit to women in his plays and that would give the Queen too much knowledge and too important.

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    2. I don't think that the Queen knew. Based on Shakespeare's view of women, the Queen, being a week women, would not be able to handle the news of the murder. Like all women the Queen is ignorant and simple minded.

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    3. Due to the image that Shakespeare sets up of women so far Gertrude would most likely be completely clueless about the murder. Women in this play are easily manipulated, so she could believe any lies Claudius gives her, plus she was just desperate with lust and power to marry another man, not thinking very clearly after King Hamlet's death.

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    4. Yes I do think she knows. I think she could have known it all along, but since she is "owned" by Claudius, she would never say anything to disappoint him or make him mad.

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    5. No she didn't. Since she loved king Hamlet then that means that if she found out that Claudius murdered him then she probably wouldn't have married him and just given the throne to hamlet.

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    6. No, i don't think she does. They seem relatively happy together and i don't think that if she knew about the murder she would be able to be happy with him. I think she is oblivious

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  19. So whats the deal with Airplane food?

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    1. Its usually just very mediocre food. However I feel like it has a bad wrap. Those flight attendants work really hard.

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    2. Its just a little too salty for my liking

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  20. What do you think Queen Gertrude's reaction will be upon finding out Claudius murdered her husband?

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    1. One of anger and dis-belief. She would never suspect Claudius of being a killer

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    2. Upset. How could she not be? She would also probably feel betrayed that her husband was hiding such a terrible secret. But like we just talked about, if he would have told her she would have most likely messed it up.

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    3. I think she might already know he killed her husband, because look at how fast she married Claudius. I see a conspiracy in the works here between Gertrude and Claudius. Everything just seems a little fishy in Denmark and Hamlet is the one to figure it out.

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    4. Following Shakespeare's view on women, I think that she will go to her weakest point, displayed through suicide. Killing herself would show ultimate weakness because she couldn't handle everything.

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    5. Well, since Shakespeare doesn't portray women with a great image in his plays I don't think she will have a huge reaction. She will probably be clueless and not understand the situation.

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    6. The queen will probably be in deep denial.And then come to terms and be very shocked about what has happened, if she does not already know secretly already.

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  21. What are the differences between Claudius' and Gertrude's estimation of Hamlet's psychological state? Do you think Claudius' suspects Hamlet already?

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    1. It seems to me that Gertrude has more of a motherly reaction and understands that he needs space to deal with his father's death. Claudius, on the other hand, reacts more like a murderer by telling Hamlet to move on and forget about King Hamlet's death.

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    2. Claudius is already on edge for Hamlet's strange behavior, sending out Rosencratz/Guildenstern to spy on him because they are some of the only people Hamlet could possibly trust. Gertrude, on the other hand, is completely clueless and mentions that his behavior might be the result of their hasty marriage, so she completely thinks that both of them are innocent against Hamlet's suspicious actions.

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    3. Claudius won't suspect hamlet until after the play. This is because everyone thinks that hamlet is crazy because of Ophelia .

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  22. How do you think Claudius will react to the play? Will he show guilt or fear?

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    1. Rather than guilt, I think he will show more fear because he clearly doesn't really feel bad about the whole situation. He is ecstatic that he won the girl and is the king, so I think he will show fear that Hamlet had figured him out.

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    2. I think Claudius will be smart enough to hide his immediate reaction. Throughout the play so far, he's kept pretty quiet and hasn't been showing much emotion in relation to his brother's death. He may privately feel threatened or suspicious, but I don't think he will openly display his immediate feelings towards the play.

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    3. I feel like he would show more fear then guilt because if he had any guilt he would of told someone after he had killed his brother. but he has more fear because he might be scared that he had been discovered

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  23. Do you think that Hamlet might be a little crazy? Not including what he is supposed to be acting like, I think that he is causing himself to go a little crazy along with acting like he is insane.

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    1. I agree, I think that he is a little crazy just because of all of the things he has been through. But I also think that he is playing the crazy part very well and it is slowly starting to work out.

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    2. It would not surprise me is Hamlet was a little insane. First he was depressed with the death of his father. Now he has seen a ghost telling him to kill his uncle who is a murderer. Hamlet is really confused and lost right now in his life. And at the end of act 2 we see the conflict inside Hamlet weather what he is doing is right or not.

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    3. Yes I agree, as he starts to "act" crazy I think he slowly begin to actually believe his crazy thoughts and think that they are the truth.

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  24. Throughout this entire play we are seeing a lot of the idea of love and lust. From Claudius and the Queen, to Hamlet and Ophelia. Which do you think plays a more prevalent role throughout the story?

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    1. Lust, because I feel as if there is a lot of sleeping around and scandalous stuff going around Denmark. Though it doesn't specifically say what is happening I think there is some naughty things going on in the castle. If it was true love everyone would be much more forward about their feelings (Ophelia) and not deny their love so much.

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    2. I think lust does. The Queen remarries so quickly I don't think she could have truly loved her late husband as much as she was suppose to, or if she truly loves Claudius. Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship also consists of them using each other, when you truly love someone you don't use them for your benefit.

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    3. Lust because neither relationship is really healthy and Shakespeare doesn't focus on the relationships in a romantic way.

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    4. Lust because I believe that lust can cause people to pursue people to almost a fault. A person may begin to stalk someone just out of pure lust

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    5. Lust, it seems the characters are pursuing more of a physical relationship, rather than a romantic one

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    6. Lust, because It makes people ignore the person that their in lust with faults. Gertrude is in lust with Claudius so she won't notice that he's acting guilty/ awkward.

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    1. Its bad because fencing is a very violent sport, that can hurt someone. Those swords are very pointy and can poke someones eye out. Fencing will rot the mind of young ones just like the violent video games we play today.

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    2. That awkward moment when the post is deleted #sorry #sorrynotsorry #swerve

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  26. Why does Hamlet want to expose Claudius so much? Do you think that it will change anything or just cause more pain and manipulation?

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    1. He wants to expose him because he killed his father! It will probably cause more pain in the end because now his mother is going to have to go through finding out the man she has been sleeping with was the one who killed her husband.

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    2. I think Hamlet just wants justice for his father's death. it may add some more drama to the play with a scene of Claudius' denial and possibly the death of several major characters (Hamlet and Claudius)

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    3. I think it will definitely cause more pain but Hamlet is so upset about his father's death and the current situation that he feels as if revenge is the only thing that will make him feel okay again.

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    4. Hamlet want so be sure that Claudius is really guilty before he gets revenge for his father. He doubts the intentions of the Ghosts and dose not want to destroy himself while killing Claudius.

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    5. Claudius killed Hamlet's father so Hamlet wants to rebuke his power and embarrass him in the most public way he can. It will leave Hamlet pleased, but it will make the kingdom a laughing stock.

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    6. Hamlet mainly wants closure over the death of his father; that suddenly a great man in his life an in the kingdom is gone with his uncle suddenly taking the throne for himself. he has many emotions, especially hate, fueling inside him the want of violence and vengeance. To expose Claudius means an actual, plausible reason to why his loving father is suddenly gone out of his life.

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    7. Claudius killed his dad! That's why! But he wants to be 100% certain Claudius did it before doing something about it. That's why he's putting on a play to determine if Claudius did it or not.

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  27. Just from reading act II what are the main conflicts in this part of the play?

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    1. Hamlet is having a huge self conflict during this act. He is trying to find justice for his father's death but he has to do so on his own. He is causing himself so much pain and sure how to overcome his pain.

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  28. So far in the play, there is so much going on and most of it is not shown in a great light. So, although there are not many good aspects so far, do we see any good life messages arising from Shakespeare?

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    1. Well John, I believe that the message that Shakespeare is really trying to display is don't let anger control you.

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    2. one good life message is don't let your mom marry your uncle.

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    3. Shakespeare does have Hamlet thinking through his actions a little. It shows not to jump to conclusions and actions since Hamlet is working to make sure the ghost is not the devil and that Claudius really did kill his father.

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    4. I think a common message, especially in act II is to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer because with R and G, it shows that Hamlet's friendship with them decayed over the years and now has come back to bite him

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  29. Is shakespeare almost mocking the idea of love in this story?

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    1. Through the corruption of all these seperate relationships?

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    2. Yes completley. Not only is he mocking romantic love, he is also mocking friendship and family love. He doesn't display it as something that lasts or that your friends and family are loyal.

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    3. I haven't thought of it that way, but there are several examples of this. i.e. Hamlet manipulating his true love, Ophelia, and she doing the same thing to him. Also, brotherly love, with Claudius murdering his brother for the throne.

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    4. Shakespeare usually makes love an object of conflict in many of his stories. It seems as though it is a weapon that can inflict pain on oneself. In Hamlet, though, it is also the mark of manipulation, creating women to be distrustful in the eye of romance.

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