Hamlet Essay: "To be or not to be"

          "To be or not to be"; probably the most recognizable quote from Hamlet, perhaps even of Shakespeare entirely. This quote is as credible to the central message of Hamlet as it is recognizable. The entire play thrives off of conflict, whether it be internal or external, and this quote defines conflict.

 

            "To be or not to be" is begging the question whether a plan should be executed or not. Should Hamlet avenge his father's death by killing Claudius? Should Claudius risk suffering from guilt by killing Hamlet and not being able to fully enjoy his gain? Should Queen Gertrude stand by her own son or flatter her new, unconventional husband? This quote outlines the theme of every major point in the plot because every major point in the plot is clear cut conflict.

 

             Many readers seem to come to the conclusion that Hamlet can't make up his mind, that he's suicidal, that he's a dramatic teenager; however, this is not so. As described in Deboer's paper, Hamlet initially lacks the perlocutionary force (following through) to actually send his locutionary force (understanding he has to kill Claudius) into action; he understand his locutionary force because of the illocutionary force (his father's ghost telling him to kill Claudius). "To be or not to be" represents this development of Hamlet's character throughout the play because the reader is invited to forever wonder whether Hamlet will enact his perlocutionary force, Hamlet himself is left to wonder if he has the mind to do it.

 

 

           In conclusion, each "To be or not to be" had a consequence which results in yet another "To be or not to be". This quote fell hand in hand with every conflict of the play, which were abundant. In regard to Hamlet's shaky perlocutionary force, the answer is "to be".  

Hamlet: Madman?

         
This is only an overview of my essay, I got stuck and decided to write down my ideas and come back to it after a night's sleep.



          A killer, a ghost-whisperer, a quick-witted, conflicted teenager; a madman? All signs and characteristics seem to illustrate a perfect Psychopath, but I do not think Hamlet is insane. Hamlet has recently gone through the tragedy of losing both his father to murder, and his mother to the murderer. The grief that has stricken Hamlet is causing him to see the ghost of his father in his mind, which in turn opens his eyes to the truth about his death. Once he sees this truth he is moved to put an end to his pain by avenging his father and is too blinded by sadness to see through this temporary insanity. I do believe his rage will pass once all deeds are done and he will carry regret with him for the rest of his life, however long that may be. As for his quick-witted responses and sarcastic tone, he was born with it.

Masterpiece Cookbook

I've changed my masterpiece. Last year I was diagnosed with Autoimmune disease, and evidence is pointing to Lupus. I've had a lot of life changes because of this but one of the major ones is my diet. I cannot eat gluten, dairy, or white table sugar. I also have to avoid potatoes and tomatoes; under no circumstance am I allowed sulfur dioxide (used for freshness). So I've begun to create a cookbook since you can hardly find any recipes with all these restrictions accounted for. I've learned to alter and create recipes and have come up with some excellent ones; approved by my family. I've already started to put together my cookbook and am quite enthusiastic about it!

Unphotographable Moment

A man of many years stood leaning against a worn fence post, Staring intensely into the lust demanding field beyond him. The look of undeniable defeat in his eyes. A "NO TRESPASSING" sign faced him obstructively; staring back at him. This man had journeyed as far as he could reach, taking no obstacle impossible; now had met he trip's demise. This man was filled with woe, for he was so involved with this new depressor that he had not turned to notice the heavenly fire-lit expanse of sky on the path he left behind him.

Hamlet notes

Claudius poured poison into king hamlets ear.

Gertrude left king hamlet for Claudius before he died. 

"I have sworn it." Hamlet is resolved. 

"Something is rotten in the State of Denmark." 

"There are more things in heaven and earth, horatio, than are dreamt in your philosophy." 

"The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!" Hamlet thinks he was born to avenge his father. 

"By in directions, find directions out." Polonius's way of getting info out of people with little lies... 

Hamlet startles Ophelia with his actions( good he faking) for Polonius to hear. Ophelia loves him and Polonius forbides her from seeing him. Hamlet may love her or be making a scene(acting weird) to plant a seed in Polonius's head.

"Brevity is the soul of wit" Polonius, because the news is good it confirms Claudius and his own righteousness. He uses that to call hamlet mad since Claudius is happy and secure at the moment. 

Gertrude understood why hamlet is upset but then second-guessed herself when Polonius presented a love letter from hamlet to Ophelia.

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in it." Polonius 

Hamlet is acting mad towards Polonius, claiming not to know him. 

"For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" hamlet 

"What a piece of work is a man!" Hamlet

Hamlet is suspicious of rodencrantz and guildenburt coming to him. He knows they were sent my Claudius and gert 

"The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscious of the king." Hamlet 

"I'll have these players play something like the murder iof my father before mine uncle" hamlet, the play within the play. 

"Alas poor yorick! I knew him, horatio:a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy." Hamlet 

The dog will have his day. 

Vocabulary

Abase: To lower or reduce.
            They abased the lieutenant after he was accused of treason.
Abdicate: To renounce or relinquish a throne, power, right, claim, responsibility, etc.
                 The kind abdicated his throne after the pressure got to him.
Abomination: Anything disliked or loathed.
                       Hamlet thought King Claudius was an abomination.
Brusque: Abrupt in manner, blunt, rough.
               The critic was very brusque, many people misunderstood him because of it.
Saboteur: A person who practices sabotage.
                King Claudius was a saboteur to King Hamlet.
Debauchery: Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.
                      The young man had debauchery, now he has a son.
Proliferate: To spread rapidly.
                   The gossip proliferated through the school.
Anachronism: Something or someone who is not in their appropriate time.
                        You can spot many anachronisms in popular movies about the past.
Nomenclature: The names and titles in a set or system.
                         The nomenclature of the novel made it difficult to decipher.
Expurgate: To purge or cleanse of moral offensiveness.
                   She was told to expurgate before continuing as a kindergarten teacher.
Bellicose: Inclined or eager to fight.
                 He was bellicose after his brother insulted his girlfriend.
Gauche: Lacking social grace.
              The man was too gauche to have many friends.
Rapacious: In ordinarily greedy.
                   The rapacious pirate wanted all of the treasure.
Paradox: A statement that seems self-contradictory but n reality expresses a possible truth.
               The paradox created a melancholy tone to the couples relationship.
Conundrum: Anything that puzzles.
                     The schedule conflicts put the two sisters in quite a conundrum.
Anomaly: An off, strange, abnormal condition or situation.
                 The anomaly the mom gave her son was different for a parental figure.
Ephemeral: Short-lived.
                    The fly's life was an ephemeral one.
Rancorous: Full of or showing rancor.
                   This questions created a rancorous debate.
Churlish: Boorish, rude, peasantlike.
                The churlish young man got nowhere with the object of his lust.
Precipitous: Presumably or impassibly steep.
                    The precipitous canyon would become a great challenge for the explorers.

PHONAR- Unphotographable Moment

 A miniature, mahogany casket adorned with Baby's Breath and teensy ballerina shoes is displayed in front of a sad audience of two. A melancholy Priest reading scripture in the background while one attendee whispers his last good-byes, salty tears wilting the delicate petals. The sweet notes of "Amazing Grace" can be heard playing on the bagpipe at another lost one's funeral. The most heart-breaking scene of a single father burying his unborn child, alone.