Trista Sullivan
Free Writes
03/01/13
Hamlet:
What did you like and/or connect to with the play?
The things that I like most about Hamlet is how absolutely outrageous the entire show is. I found the plot very unbelievable, like most of Shakespeare’s works. I also enjoyed the ending. I find a resolution that is unexpected to be the most satisfying resolution in a piece of work.
What do you find interesting about the language or the way the language is used in the play?
I found the use of metaphor and sarcasm in the characters speech to be very interesting. Though, most times I felt that I couldn’t understand what was going on, when I did get the hang of a phrase or paragraph, I enjoyed its depth.
What is the play saying about gender roles?
This play shows the different expectations that men and women have in their family. Ophelia, after her father’s death, went crazy and she was pitied. Laertes, just like Hamlet, felt obligated to avenge the death of his father. If he were to not feel that way, it would be considered dishonorable.
What is the play saying about class?
This play shows the life styles of different classes. There is so much hostility and deceit in the lives of the nobles in Hamlet, yet, these events probably would not have occurred in a family that had no nobility.
What is the play saying about the historical context? How might the historical context help illuminate the play?
This play pokes fun at the royalty of the time in Denmark. The show illuminates the controversy and scandal in the upper class in this historical context.
What archetypes do you see represented or subverted in the play?
In this play we see the villain: Claudius. The belle: Ophelia. The hero: Hamlet. The antagonist: Laertes. And the sidekick/ right hand man: Horatio.
In what ways does the language undercut itself to defy one correct reading?
The language takes loops and turns through poetry and simile and metaphor. The language seems so artistic that it undercuts itself and distorts the potential perceptions of the audience.
What might the unconscious motives of the characters and/or author do to illuminate the play?
The seemingly unconscious motives of the characters provide sub plots within the show, such as Hamlets alleged insanity, and Laertes travels to Paris.
Earnest:
What did you like and/or connect to with the play?
I like that the play is a very smooth read. I also like that this play does not require a deep dissection of meaning, when it could be just about nothing. I also enjoy all the paradox in the show.
What do you find interesting about the language or the way the language is used in the play?
The most interesting part of the language is the words taken from the time that Oscar Wilde’s wrote this play, such as bunburying!
What is the play saying about gender roles?
This is saying that women are shallow and delicate beings, and men must be the providers and the entertainers to the women.
What is the play saying about class?
This is saying that class sets the tone to your life. If you are a fool, you are only a hopeful individual. If you are clever, then you have life set for you with cucumber sandwiches and nice clothes.
What is the play saying about the historical context? How might the historical context help illuminate the play?
This play shows the attitudes of the upper class during the time Wilde wrote this show. It could be easily compared to the attitudes and life styles of the modern day upper class.
What archetypes do you see represented or subverted in the play?
The archetypes that I see are the friend that guides his other friend: Algernon.
The naïve yet cunning protagonist: Jack. The voice of reason: Lady Bracknell and the competing damsels: Gwendolyn and Cecily.
In what ways does the language undercut itself to defy one correct reading?
The language, with its thick wit, at times may be interpreted wrong by the audience when reading this play. Some of the witty lines could be said sarcastically, or just plain obliviously.
What might the unconscious motives of the characters and/or author do to illuminate the play?
The unconscious motives are to enjoy life. When one could see the motives as getting the girl, the real motives are just to live in wealth and marry within good class.