Hamlet's Hesitation to Kill Claudius.

     I agree with Hamlet's hesitation to kill Claudius. Killing someone might be more easily said than done so I believed it was right for him to think things through. Being the prince of Denmar and a possible candidate for the throne, Hamlet needs to be careful with his actions. Although murdering someone is not exactly "careful", thinking things through at first and not being completely violent and psychotic would be worse. Also, back then murder is extremely crucial as it is today. The religious beliefs were that the murderer will go to hell and the one who is the victim will go to heaven. Therefore, Hamlets hesitation was probably a good thing in part. Another thing is that if Hamlet just killed Claudius on the spot, he didnt really have proof that Claudius was guilty. This could've caused more people to think that he is a madman. However, waiting and performing the mousetrap play made him more sure and really gave him a reason to slay him towards the end.

To Be or Not To Be

     In Olivier's Hamlet, I thought that the setting of the act was a good key to making the audience feel the contemplation occurring within Hamlet's mind. Being on a cliff, a wrong step can send a person plummeting to their death. Just like the "To Be or Not to Be" speech, Hamlet is contemplating whether to chose death or deal with his problems. I believe that the music in this version did not help contribute anything positive. If anything, I thought it was a distraction. To me, the actor's voice was a little bit low and the music on top of it, tunes it out on some points. The transition between the different emotions along with the different tone in the speech was very impressive to me. I thought that it fit perfectly and made it more realistic than using one emotion.
     Zefirelli's Hamlet was my favorite version out of all of them. The actor that played Hamlet played the character well. He was on target with all the right emotions for the right parts. Also the setting at the catacombs gave off the feel of death and life, just like what the speech is supposed to portray. The lighting of the whole scene was definitely something that also affects how the audience reacts to it. The low lighting makes it sorrowful and gloomy, but also suspenseful and mysterious at the same time.
     Branaugh's Hamlet was the least appealing to me. The setting itself, to me, is too much. The designs of the tiles and walls are distractions away from the character itself. The setting has no symbolism unlike the first two versions we have watched. Also, the tone of the character is more vengeful rather than someone who is contemplating whether to take his own life or not. The bright lighting in the movie also did not give that feel of depression or conflict. To me, this version was the most similar to the actual script, but it did not give me clear understanding nor did it catch my attention as an audience.
     The modern version, Almereyda's Hamlet, had a good symbolism behind the setting. To me, I looked at it as contemplation once again. When people go to movie stores, they usually take a lot of time trying to decide what movie they should pick out. This goes along with the speech's purpose once again because Hamlet is deciding whether to live or not. The music and the tone of the character also was also good. The soft tone of the actor and soothing music gives a feel that the character is really in deep thoughts. However, it lacked different emotions throughout the speech.
     By watching four different versions of Hamlets out of maybe hundred or thousands more, it shows the universality of this play. I believe that the play could be depicted or interpreted into many different versions. In these four versions, the symbolism between the settings alone were completely different. Not only could it be interpreted differently, it could also be used as a base of different stories or movies such as the Lion King. Out of the four version, the one that stood out to me the most was Zefirelli's Hamlet. I believed that Mel Gibson had the right acts and emotions that fit perfectly well with the script. Also the setting, lighting, and harmonized well and made me relate it closer to the actual play than any of the other versions.

Comparisons in Hamlet FIlms

          In Franco Zeffirelli's version of Hamlet, Mel Gibsons part gives a feel of sadness and despair. Also, the setting of the event when Hamlet talks to his father's spirit was very gloomy and eerie. There were no music, causing the slience to add up to the eeriness of the setting. The lighting was low and dark and adds to the sadness and despair as well. Zeffirelli did not use any special effects or any other visual elements to add to that part of the movie. I believe that the simplicity in Zeffirelli's work is enough and it is what gives it the right feel for the audience.

          In contrast to the simplicity of Zeffirelli's version of Hamlet, Kenneth Branagh's version is nothing like it. I believe that the character of Hamlet, Branagh himself, and the the spirit of Hamlet's father portrayed the act in such an exaggerated way. The way they acted and said the words were so emphasized and gave the feeling of suspense. Instead of the simplicity, Branagh's version of Hamlet was a little more upbeat and fast-paced. He used flashbacks as a visual element and I believe that it was a great element because it explained the act clearly. The lighting was similar to Zeffirelli's version. It was also gloomy and eerie, but Branagh used music to support the lighting of the setting and also some special effects while running through the woods.

          Michael Almerada's version of Hamlet is nothing like the previous two I have mentioned. Along with the different tone of how the characters spoke, the setting is also a big deal. The setting did not take place in the medieval times or the past, it takes place in the modern times--New York City. Almerada didn't seem to use any special effects because the events in the movie is something that would happen in reality. However, there were suspensful music here and there and it gives off the feel of a little suspense. The lighthing was different as well since it took place in a modernized apartment instead of the outdoors. Although the lightning was a little dim, it was not enough compared to the other versions. However, the way the ghost spoke to Hamlet (Ethan Hawke) in Almerada's version did the job to give the sadness and eeriness without the very dark settings that the other directors used. Almerada also used flashback in the movie, but in a more modern way. It was a helpful visual, but I personally think it was irrelevant and should have been done differently.

     I believe that Zeffirelli's version of Hamlet gave me the best result of understanding and being as close to as how it was on the original text. The simplicity of it gave an effect that it could actually happen in reality. There were no special effects that made it seem exaggerated. This is why I believe that this version of Hamlet was the best version to me.

The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

“The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy, and a thoughtless frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all its own for the children, and the children yet unborn.”

From my understandings, Sterling is trying to say that these kind of crazy situations don't always start from crime, weapons, etc. It could simply start from a wrong a gesture, or a misunderstood word. Although weapons and all those negative things can cause destruction, it is the thoughts and actions of human beings that are the catalyst that makes these things become a bad thing. Without "prejudices and suspicions" and anything else in that matter, everything else would be harmless. Anything could be harmful or harmless, it is up to us to control it based on our actions. For example, the Salem Witch Trial is a good example for this specific quote. It was a situation that became out of control because of jealousy and lust that was felt by a naive girl, Abigail. If it wasn't for her negative feelings, her actions would not have been performed and people would not have gotten hurt. Therefore, I do agree with Sterling because I am a big believer of the phrase "think before you act", which pretty much sums up this whole quote.

Good Night and Good Luck

      I agree with Murrow. Using the television can be an instrument, but it depends on how people use it also. It could be used for the good, it could be used as entertainment, and it could be used for bad, just like how McCarthy used it. If Murrow saw how television is today, I believe that he would still have the same view as he had at his time period. Although times had changed, the way the human mind works still remain the same. The television still depends on how the people work it. Just like Murrow said, it would be nothing but a wired light box if there were no humans to determine its use.
      In Murrow's time, the television were used to spread important information. Now-a-days, it is still used the same way, but sometimes some people take advantage of it and it just seems like a box with nothing in it. Comparing from how it was before, the television, or the internet in our case, are just now used as an everyday item instead of something reserved for important events or information. However, it really depends on who is controlling it. In conclusion, I do agree with Murrow.

The Crucible, Act II

"I'll not be ordered to bed no more..." pg. 1273 - Prediction: those who had no power previously is becoming more superior because many is becoming part of the court and now they think more highly of themselves because they could accuse anyone they please. Therefore, meaning that they believe people should fear them because they pretty much hold their fate.

"Doctor Griggs examined her..." pg. 1273 - Prediction: Maybe the doctor just said that she was pregnant because he wanted to save her life. Just like most of the people at this point, the doctor is probably starting to realize that this whole situation is nonsense.

"...and thinks to kill me, then to take my place..." pg. 1274 - She predicted that it was Abby that accused her because she wanted her out of the picture because Abby believes that Proctor is also in love with her after their affair. I predict that this is the reason why Abigail started this whole situation.

"How come it that only two are baptized?" pg. 1277 - Prediction: Now, it seems as if they are trying yo collect every detail and every coincidences to prove proctors family was associated with the devil or a witch. Maybe it's not only for his family. It seems like they are doing this to everyone they please.

"I think you must tell him." pg.1278 - Elizabeth wants to tell Hale about what Abby told proctor, saying it was all just games. However, with everything going on, they are not going to believe them at all.

pg. 1280 - In this whole page, everyone is starting to accuse people with "supernatural" evidence. Some of the things were just obnoxious. I know that these people were very religious, but how can people believe such a thing?

"I spy a poppet, Goody Proctor." pg. 1281 - I predict that Abby has ordered Mary to set Elizabeth up so she could have an acceptable evidence to accuse her as being a witch. It seemed like a master plan because Abby acted out everything so accurately, as if Elizabeth did really hurt her using her "supernatural" powers using the doll.

"The girl is murder, she must..." pg. 1283 - When Mary realized that they were starting to blame her about finding the poppet, she turned the table around and did what everyone else would, blame someone else. In this case, she blamed Elizabeth. Universal truth - people would pretty much put other peoples lives in trouble just to save their own.

Act I Double Entry

pages 1234-1247

"raise the roof" pg. 1234 - This phrase was usually used when people from that era celebrates after raising the roof of a newly built building. Compared to way it is used today, it is pretty similar because it means "to party".

"Reverend Parris" - Ge gas a ten year old daughter named Betty, who was one of the girls who danced in the forest. He is in his mid-forties, a widower, and appeared to be very paranoid based on the description in the book. Also he has a niece named Abigail.

"His daughter Betty Parris aged ten, is lying on the bed, inert." pg. 1234 - inert = unable to move. Based on this word, it explains the Betty Parris is not moving which leads me to predict that she must be ill or paralyzed. But why and how did it happen?

"theocracy" pg. 1236 - definition = combination of state and religious power.

"...the American forest was the last place on Earth that was not paying home to god." pg. 1235 - Universal Truth = They believe that the forest is associated with the Devil.

"Reverend Parris...very night of their birth" pg. 1242 - She gave birth to seven babies in the past who all died a few hours after they were brought in to the world. She believes that some evil spirit is murdering her babies.

"I gave Ruth a good one and it waked her for a minute." pg. 1243 - Being able to wake up leads me to a prediction that Ruth might be faking her "illness" or whatever it is that they are trying to prove.

"You drank to kill...Goody Proctor" pg. 1244 - Why did Abigail want to kill Goody Proctor? Was she somewhat envious of her? Is Abigail a witch?

"Calumny" pg. 1245 - definition = false accusation; slander. Proctor is a man that does no side with any one, but will point out one's flaws if he sees it. Because of this reason, many people do not like him and accuses him of many things or slanders him probably as a way of "payback".