Reflection on Reading and Writing, First Semester

Reading science fiction this year, was the most in depth reading I have ever done regarding science fiction books in my life. This was a challenge and made me become a more active reader. Also, I found myself becoming more curious about different book types as opposed to before when I was only interested in reading non-fiction books. Writing essays on sci-fi books was a new experience and forced me to explore new creative ideas. Then, when moving on to reading Hamlet, I found it complicated because of the language and it is a very different type of book in comparison to reading sci-fi books. Writing about Hamlet was when I put to practice a writing method I learned over the summer, which consists of writing ideas down on a sheet of paper and connecting them to the ones of the same category. This helped me brainstorm and arrive to conclusions quicker and more efficiently. For example, I used to spend more than an hour to come up with the ideas to write in a single paragraph. Now when using this method it only takes me about 30 minutes to come up with the structure of one paragraph. I feel much more comfortable writing. With the guidance of Dr. Forman to figure out what essay structure would work best for me helped me understand how to in the future organize my ideas from the beginning. Also, Dr. Forman taught me that any type of writing could be interpreted very differently when acted out. Next time I read a book, I will think about a character's tone in many different ways that could possibly be said and even acted out. These different options of how to interpret tones are limitless and cause a major change in the way that a reader and/or an audience take in the plot and message of literary works and different types of writing works.

Hamlet Film Essay English IV Rough Draft

In Olivier and Tennant's film versions of Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, the dead king's son and his royal relatives are portrayed differently through their tone. In addition, their tone is influenced by the lighting conditions in each film. The depiction of each character's personality within both movies is inclined toward anger and persuasion. Each character has its own interests. Claudius seeks power, superiority over all, and the ability to manipulate. Hamlet wants justice to flourish and Gertrude feels the need to make any decision possible that it takes to maintain her social status.

            There is only one main light in Olivier's film; it is horizontal and focused on the front of Hamlet's body. This makes the viewer's eyes focus on Hamlet as soon as the scene starts. Furthermore, when the light is on two characters or more they start to talk about their conflicts, or concerns in more depth and in a more intimate way. For example, when Gertrude gets behind Hamlet and the light is facing both of their faces, she puts her hands on his shoulders to create a comfort aura among the people in the scene and tries to get Hamlet to agree on her point of view on his father's death. Also, the quality of the movie is not as great since filming technology was not nearly as advanced it is today. This indeed contributes to the lighting appearing more intense than how it would appear to be like today. The darkest section of the set is where the throne is. As Hamlet looks down at the throne and leans with no energy and powerless against it, the real grievous and sorrowful way that he sees his family is revealed. The tone and the lighting combined make it a more insightful and powerful film.  

            Both Hamlet and Gertrude appear to be under Claudius' control. Hamlet speaks with an oppressed, and nostalgic tone. His self-esteem and mood decline throughout the scene. He ponders his problems in a negative way as shown during his soliloquy, his expressions and actions. The way in which he looks down at the throne portrays how much he has out of hope. This grief builds up his anger toward Claudius constantly. Claudius expresses himself using a loud, authoritative, dominant and egoistic tone. His vociferous tone almost matches the intensity of the light that overwhelms Hamlet. King Claudius tries his hardest in getting Hamlet to settle down but does not want him interfering with him at all with his monarchical capacity. Judging from this scene it is unimaginable to see Hamlet stand up to king Claudius and stabbing him. Queen Gertrude speaks in a very sweet and soothing tone. She initially deals with Hamlet and his concerns in a motherly way. After king Claudius shares his opinion about familiar issues, queen Gertrude becomes particularly intimate her son. It gets to the point where she seems to sugarcoat the real family problems at hand with a mouth-to-mouth kiss.

            As opposed to Olivier's film, Tennant's lighting selection is more plentiful. The lights are facing down vertically as well as many of the architectural features of the spacious room that they are in. The floor that Hamlet kneels down on has a dark tone. It is so clean and clear that it reflects light almost with the same precision that a mirror does. When Hamlet is speaking to Claudius and Gertrude with the court as an audience, the background behind Hamlet is very dark and there is only a small looking arch. On the contrary, behind Claudius and Gertrude, the background is a capacious and well-lit room. In a similar way to Olivier's movie, the potency of the light increases when Gertrude approaches Hamlet to talk about her concerns in an intimate way. The lighting in this scene enhances the tone more than in Olivier's film because of the quantity of lights involved and their location. For instance, when the camera is focused on king Claudius and queen Gertrude, their bodies are more illuminated than that of Hamlet's when the camera is focused on him.

Hamlet Essay #2, Body Paragraph #2

Tennant's lighting selection is more plentiful. Possibly, the more light there is, the more anger Hamlet expresses when in front of an audience. The light is vertical as well as many of the architectural features of the spacious room that they are in. The floor that Hamlet kneels down on has a dark tone and it is so clean and clear that it reflects light almost as much as a mirror does. When Hamlet is speaking to Claudius and Gertrude with the court as an audience, the background behind Hamlet is very dark and there is only a small looking arch. On the contrary, behind Claudius and Gertrude the background is a capacious well-lit room. In a similar way to Olivier's film, the potency of the light increases when Gertrude approaches Hamlet to talk about her concerns in an intimate way.

Hamlet Essay #2, Body Paragraph #1

There is only one main light in Olivier's film in the beginning of the scene, it is horizontal and focused on the front of Hamlet's body. This makes the viewer's eyes focus on Hamlet as soon as the scene starts. In addition, when the light is on two characters or more they start to talk about their conflicts, or concerns in more depth and in a more intimate way. For example, when Gertrude gets behind Hamlet and the light is facing both of their faces, she puts her hands on his shoulders and tries to get Hamlet to agree on her point of view on his father's death. There is only one light because it could represent Hamlet's father's presence and how it all relates back to only his death.

Intro Paragraph for Essay #2 on Hamlet

In Olivier and Tennant's film versions of Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, the dead king's son and his royal relatives are portrayed differently through their tone. In addition, their tone is influenced by the lighting conditions in each film. The depiction of each character's personality within the movies is inclined toward anger and persuasion. Each character has their own interests. Claudius seeks power, superiority over all, and ability to manipulate. Hamlet wants justice to prosper and Gertrude feels the need to make any decisions that it takes to maintain her social status.

Essay Ideas

Differences in Olivier and Tennant films: The light in Olivier's film affects more what the actors say and how they say it. And the light in Tennant's film affects Hamlet more by himself, his conflicts and his thoughts to overcome his problems. Hamlet is more doubtful in Olivier's film than in Tennant's. In Tennant's he seems to be more aware of what is being done to him as if he was ready to take action against Claudius.

Hamlet Movie Clips Analysis 5

When Hamlet initially speaks with Gertrude and Claudius in Tennant's movie, the light is mainly on Gertrude more than Claudius. Where Hamlet stands there is less light. Hamlet's tone is accusatory, sarcastic and indignant. His suit makes him look as if there is less light than there actually is as well as the black walls on the side. Hamlet could be disgusted at Gertrude because he keeps looking down. Gertrude's tone is much of fear and intimidation. Claudius' tone is calm and as he talks he demonstrates a skill of maintaining calm and acting well to develop his plan. 

Hamlet Movie Clips Analysis 4

In Olivier's film version of Hamlet, the lighting is blinding. This set structure contributes to Hamlet's serious and miserable tone. Hamlet is also blinded because of his parent's interventions in his life. He is prevented from doing certain thing in his life because of his new parents and is overwhelmed by their actions just as the light overwhelms him. Gertrude's hands on Hamlet's shoulders represent how she controls him and manipulates him for the king's benefit. When the light is on Gertrude and Hamlet at the same time, they both start talking about their issues in more depth.

Hamlet Movie Clips Analysis 3

In Tennant's movie, the way that the lights are positioned around Hamlet could be a representation of his conscience. On the right side of the screen there is plenty of light from the roof as if good intentions are dawning upon him. Also, it is noticeable that there is less light on the left side of the screen as if his temptation of committing violence were still a plausible thing he could do. The way Hamlet acts in this film represents more precisely the way that I pictured him when first reading Shakespeare's tragedy.

Hamlet Movie Clips Analysis 2

When I first read Shakespeare's Hamlet, the scene where king Claudius, queen Gertrude and Hamlet talk about Hamlet's Father, the setting, wording and the tone appears as a private family argument. On the contrary, in most of the Hamlet film versions, this scene is made very public and is oriented more towards making the king look as authority and makes Hamlet look submissive. This scene in BBC's Derek Jacobi film version of Hamlet is more of a private meeting where Gertrude is gentler than in the other film versions with Hamlet and seems to be happier whenever she leaves Hamlet. The king also seems to give more relevance to his hunting activity than family and personal issues. He seems relieved when he hears the hunting dogs as if he was trapped with Hamlet. In addition, the queen nods to the king to leave as if it were planned.

Hamlet Movie Clips Analysis 1

Through the positions of the actors in Laurence Olivier's film Hamlet, Gertrude and Claudius appear to be more dominant and have more control over Hamlet. They are both standing and Hamlet is sitting and looking weak with facial gestures of doubt. The queen and king also speak in a louder tone than Hamlet as a way to show to the audience who is in charge and who commands. On the contrary, in the second clip, Hamlet acts as if he were in control of the situation. He is standing, and the queen and king are close together sitting down. Hamlet speaks with a lot of confidence and with a sarcastic tone, reminiscent of his tone when talking to Polonius.

Hamlet Reading 12

Act 5, scene 2: In the end, all the rage that Hamlet felt toward the king accumulated and everybody turned against king Claudius. The king's wife calls Hamlet "dear" and also mentions that "the drink" is what got her "poisoned" given to her by the king (5.2.340-341). Gertrude ends up demonstrating love for Hamlet and also chooses his side after all the confrontations they have had with her along the king's side. Furthermore, Laertes tells Hamlet that "the King [i]s to blame", and when the king is killed, that Hamlet has "served" "just[ice]"(5.2.351, 359). After being manipulated so much by the king, Laertes finally agrees to the blaming and killing of the king. Even though Laertes and Hamlet were rivals for some time, Laertes and Hamlet's good relationship and agreements prove that truth prospered and the with all the right reasons, the evil king's life was taken away.

Hamlet Reading 11

Hamlet can relate to his new enemy, Laertes, in various aspects. He loves Ophelia as well as him, and both of their parents got murdered. Hamlet's determination for obtaining what he wants is also shown in Laertes. Specifically when they are both in Ophelia's grave and are fighting for her love even though she is dead. The dead king's son confesses that he sees "the image of [his] cause" and his "portraiture" in Laertes (5.2.87-88). 

Hamlet Reading 10

Laertes is a manipulative indignant vengeful person. Since Ophelia's death is very sudden and unexpected, as well as her father's, Laertes' instinct of revenge kicks in and allows him to obey the king's command of going killing Hamlet. The king makes a very structured plan where he could send Laertes to kill Hamlet in a sword fight and make it look like an accident by putting poison on Laertes' sword. King Claudius is so doubtful of his safety that he has to ask Laertes as a way to confirm if e will do the plan, "But, good Laertes, Will you do this?"(4.7.146-147). Laertes replies to him, "I will do 't, and for that purpose I'll anoint my sword."(4.7.159-160). Laertes seeks satisfaction because of the death of his father and sister through Hamlet's death.

Hamlet Reading 9

In order to get Hamlet out of his sight for security purposes as fast as he can, Claudius says that Hamlet is a danger to everyone. He sets up the situation in benefit for everyone if Hamlet is removed. This is a very strategic move of Claudius because it helps everyone perceive Hamlet as the king does.

Does Gertrude consider Hamlet a dangerous man as Claudius does?

Hamlet Reading 8

Act 3, Scene 3: After watching the play the king decides to counter attack Hamlet's plan by sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England. In a very noticeable way, Claudius regrets murdering Hamlet's father by praying and saying that he cannot pray. Hamlet does prove to be strategic by not using his sword against Claudius while he is praying and waiting for him to be participating in a sinful act. This demonstrates that Hamlet has a strong desire to have Claudius suffer the most he can.

Hamlet Essay: Body Paragraph #1

The best interpretation of Hamlet's insecurities being revealed in a strategic way is best shown when he is around Polonius, and Hamlet's childhood friends. Hamlet annoys Polonius answering to what he explains by replying "[w]ords, words, words" and also he makes fun of his age by stating that if Polonius was a "crab", he "could go backward[s]" in time to be as young as Hamlet (2.2.210, 221-222). Hamlet seeks to put down Polonius and his self-esteem by using a mocking and sarcastic tone. In addition, Hamlet talks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in a very intimidating way by telling them that they "were sent for, and there is a kind of confession in [their] looks" (2.2.300-301). The dead king's son is now depicted as an eagle-eyed character that understands what is happening around him from every angle. By mistreating males, rightfully so from his perspective, as a result of his father's death, and by the way that society back in Shakespeare's time was male dominant, Hamlet will not have any problem acting to make Ophelia feel offended.

Hamlet Essay: Intro Paragraph

In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, Hamlet utilizes different tones to speak to different people. In private when he speaks to himself, he releases the suffering he is going through after his father's death. He is depressed and also is the epitome of a confused individual. Since he has proven so far to be a man of his word, Hamlet is determined to keep the promise that he made with his father's ghost. Furthermore, when he is with other people he either mocks them or is serious with them but camouflages his real actions within what he says to Polonius, Ophelia, Claudius, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz through the language Shakespeare employs.

Hamlet Essay: Working Thesis/Intro Paragraph

In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, Hamlet utilizes different tones to speak to different people. In private when he speaks to himself, he releases the suffering he is going through after his father's death. He is depressed and also is the epitome of a confused individual. Furthermore, when he is with other people he either mocks them, is serious with them but camouflages his real actions and thoughts with his talks/speech/conversations/language.

Hamlet Essay Ideas 2

When Hamlet has privacy, he goes off on himself and discusses the changes that he is experiencing in his life. In public he deceives people through his mocking and rude behavior. He also treats people differently according to an apparent strategy to murder his uncle. For example, the way that he treats his childhood friends is very different than how he treats Polonius. He interrogates them and acts in a very intuitive way. When around Polonius he acknowledges that he is brighter than him and finds his way around his strategies.

Hamlet Essay Ideas 1

My essay will be about Hamlet in private vs. public. I will also speak about his change in personality and his plans to kill his uncle Claudius. Hamlet is a very methodic man. He knows how to make strategy, even though he struggles to handle his love for Ophelia. His depression in private can be compared to his lively behavior in public.

Hamlet Reading 7

Act 3, scene 3: King Claudius now regrets killing his brother and prays in order to obtain forgiveness from heaven. He is spying on Hamlet through Guildenstern, Rosencrantz, Hamlet's mother and Polonius, because of the danger that he knows Hamlet possesses. The king seems very vulnerable at the time when he is praying while being surrounded by an overwhelming amount of guilt, sorrow and remorse close to Hamlet. The ease with which Hamlet describes how he is going to kill his king uncle illustrates murder as a very nonchalant casual undertaking. Both Hamlet and king Claudius are now insecure about each other's company and are reducing the amount of time until on of them kills the other.

Hamlet Reading 6

Act 3, scene 2: Hamlet is being very precise in this scene on how he wants the actors to perform. He is smart since he is thinking ahead and has planed that his uncle Claudius' reaction will be a key factor in determining whether his father was assassinated by him or not. Hamlet's pursuit of the truth proves that he is honest by keeping the promise he made with his father's ghost. The way that he treats Ophelia also demonstrates the way his strong emotions of love toward her seem less relevant than before. Hamlet is well on his way of solving the royal puzzle.

Hamlet Reading 5

Act 3, scene 1: By the way that Claudius and Polonius have acted, they sure are up to no good. If Claudius already killed Hamlet's father he could dare to do worst things. After planning Hamlet's meeting with Ophelia, Claudius and Polonius are left unsatisfied in their search for the cause of what has been bothering Hamlet. Hamlet, enraged, speaks to Ophelia in a very rude and arrogant way. Since Claudius and Polonius do not stop willing to investigate further about Hamlet's issues, there will be many ups and downs in Hamlet's emotions.

Hamlet Reading 4

Act 2, scene 2: King Claudius and queen Gertrude gather two spies that are Hamlet's childhood friends. The king and queen have a similar curiosity about Hamlet's situation to that of Polonius. It seems as though Polonius knows what is bothering Hamlet, which is his plan to separate him and Ophelia. Hamlet, during the performance at the court and after, treats one actor as if he was a close friend. This stood out to me because I thought it was peculiar in a way.

Hamlet Reading 3

Act 2, scene 1: Polonius starts out by talking to Reynaldo and ordering him to go and investigate in Paris about Laertes and his actions. This portrays Polonius as a caring father who will do whatever he can in his power to arrive to the point of satisfaction by knowing and becoming aware of how his son is doing. Polonius even trains his servant Reynaldo to obtain the information he wants. After Reynaldo's talk with Polonius, Ophelia behaves paranoid because of Hamlet's way of treating her. Hamlet is illustrated as being in discomfort and unable to do anything to strengthen his and Ophelia's relationship. Polonius' reaction at hearing Hamlet's actions are to go to the king, which prove that he takes his children's concerns seriously and is a caring father.

Hamlet Reading 2

Act 1, scene 4: There is a driving force that motivates Hamlet to risk his life or fate by following the ghost. This makes it seem as if Hamlet has to fulfill a purpose in his life that in that moment seemed very relevant. After threatening to kill his friends, Horatio and Marcello, they prove to be trust worthy people by still following Hamlet and the ghost to prevent him from approaching any danger.

Act 1, scene 5: As a social and family compromise, Hamlet agrees with his father's ghost to perform revenge on his evil uncle. Horatio and Marcello swear not to say anything about what happened between Hamlet and his father's ghosts. Since Hamlet underestimates his life and is enraged because of his father's death, he agrees to undertake this violent task with no regret proving to be a dedicated son who will do anything to achieve what he considers fair.

Hamlet Reading 1

1.1: I have so far understood that the ghost seems to try to convey a message to Barnardo and Marcellus.

1.2: Prince Hamlet eventually finds out about this happening and decides to join them in their ghost communication attempt.

1.3: Then there is a message given out to Ophelia by Laertes where he seems to tell her to stop loving Hamlet.

Essay Editing

Developing the main idea into a deeper concept throughout my essay. Also, I am incorporating more examples from the book into the essay.

Rachael is down to two years of life and Rick would marry her (197 Philip K. Dick)

The feelings that Rick is experiencing during his time with androids, specifically Rachael Rosen, create chaos in the way he thinks and cause a peculiar change in the perspective of life and create a question of whether it is morally right or wrong to have a formal relationship with an android. The length of an android's life is also a topic that is put to the test in moral judgment. Philip K. Dick explores Rick's identity through examples that are shocking at first but in the long run are relevant since technology advances fast in this society.

Luba Touched by Rick’s Present

Page 133

The question that Philip K. Dick raises is, are robots gaining a different perspective of what it means to exist? Or to be alive? Since Rick acknowledges that Luba is going to die soon and she knows it, Luba compares the differences between humans and androids. It is not possible to know if her action of saying "It's very nice of you" to Rick happened because she is programmed to say thank you or something similar when something is given to her (133 Dick). If Luba Luft had lived longer, would there have been more discoveries made by her from an android's perspective?

Essay Perfectioning Process:

 - So far on my essay I have corrected the errors noticed by my proofreader, and worked on tying everything in my essay together.

Androids Vs. Wives

“Most androids I’ve known have more vitality and desire to live than my wife.” (94 Dick)  

Rick is degrading women in this passage. By saying this, Rick Deckard verbally manifests his hate toward Iran in that moment because he compares her to the closest thing there is to humans that he kills for a living. After saying that his wife has less desire to live than an android, Rick proceeds on to claim that his wife "has nothing to give him" (95 Dick). Rick is unsatisfied and has no joy from his wife's company and actions that he seeks fulfillment through the androids.

Knowing Vs. Emotional Attraction to Androids

Pg. 95 "knowing intellectually...anyhow." (Phillip K. Dick)

                 

             The progress of technology, in Philip K. Dick's novel, has acquired such realistic features that now the humans are being deceived by their emotions into feeling attached. From the perspective of a Dave Holden, living in a planet where population is lacking, there could be a very small amount of people to bond with and carry on life with. On the contrary, humans in the new colony on Mars may have a large amount of population. Just as Rick Deckard owns an electric sheep at the top of his apartment, since he cannot afford a real animal, so too does Dave Holden want to have some sort of friendship with an android. Dave Holden is well aware that the androids do not hold an emotional attachment toward him such as which a human would.

Essay Intro

             In Philip K. Dick's book, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? , and Isaac Asimov's book, I,Robot, the purpose of using robots are different. Philip K. Dick does mention the robots to be considered an advantage in social status and a reason to move to the new colony world in Mars. The robots in his story seem more as an object to be unnecessarily used, and on the contrary in Isaac Asimov's book it seems that the robots are used for a more industrial purpose as well as the tools.The robots in both novels are manipulated in different ways; slaves, industrial workers, and are used to ameliorate economic and life standards.

Test 1

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