Blog 6

"New Divide"

I remembered black skies
The lightning all around me
I remembered each flash
As time began to blur
Like a startling sign
That fate had finally found me
And your voice was all I heard
That I get what I deserve

So give me reason
To prove me wrong
To wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross
The distance in your eyes
Give me reason
To fill this hole
Connect this space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies
Across this new divide

There was nothing inside
The memories left abandoned
There was nowhere to hide
The ashes fell like snow
And the ground caved in
Between where we were standing
And your voice was all I heard
That I get what I deserve

So give me reason
To prove me wrong
To wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross
The distance in your eyes
Across this new divide

In every loss in every lie
In every truth that you deny
And each regret and each goodbye
Was a mistake too great to hide
And your voice was all I heard
That I get what I deserve

So give me reason
To prove me wrong
To wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross
The distance in your eyes
Give me reason
To fill this hole
Connect this space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies
Across this new divide
Across this new divide
Across this new divide

I would choose this song for my funeral because it sums up my past actions. I mean lets be honest, I realize that I am the reason that my son was in such a depressed state. Remember when I said "I doubt it is no other but the main, His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage." (2.2.56-57) I figured that was the reason that Hamlet was so sad because I even heard him say it. Hamlet stayed in the hall after the king and I had left. I cracked the door to listen to see if Hamlet would say anything to himself now that he was alone. I was worried about him and I was hoping he'd say something so I would know what was wrong with him. I remember hearing Hamlet say "But two months dead, nay, not so much, not two." (1.2.138) When I heard this I knew he was talking about how Claudius and I married so fast. Then Hamlet went on to stay "But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue." (1.2.159) This is why I would like to play this song at my funeral. I would want everyone to hear this song and realize that I know what I did looked bad. I would want people to know that I realize that it is my fault that Hamlet was depressed. The first part of this song makes me think of Hamlet's father. When it says "as time began to blur." That is how I felt when my husband died.The lyrics "and your voice was all I heard that I get what I deserve" makes me think of how Claudius was there for me. I fell in love with him and I deserved to be happy and so we married. I know my son was against it because I overheard him say "She married. O, most wicked speed, to post." (1.2.156) Towards the end Hamlet was very distant. I feel like I barely knew him anymore. The lyrics "there was nothing inside the memories left abandoned" makes me think of how Hamlet and I aren't close anymore. Hamlet's friend Rosencrantz told me that Hamlet said to him "Denmark's a prison." (2.2.238) When I heard about this it made me feel even worse. The lyrics "In every loss in every lie in every truth that you deny" makes me think about how Claudius is a liar. When I took a drink of the cup I heard Claudius say "It is the poisoned cup; it is too late." (5.2.274) When I heard him say this I figured out everything. I realized that Claudius had killed my husband and plans to kill my son. That is why he said "Gertrude, do not drink." (5.2.272) It all clicked in my head and I figured out everything. I had to warn my son and so I said "No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink! I am poisoned." (5.2.294-295) I wanted Hamlet to know that Claudius was behind all of this, but I didn't have the strength to say it. Thank God that Laertes said "I can no more. The king, the king's to blame." (5.2.305) I was hoping that Hamlet would avenge his father's death and when I heard him say "Follow my mother" (5.2.312) I knew he had done it. Just before I died all I could think about was how this is all my fault. Everything was my fault and I am getting what I deserved. That is why I like this song because the words "that I get what I deserve" completely applies to myself. I would want this song played at my funeral because it would show all the people that I realize what I did was selfish and wrong and it hurt my son. I also want people to know that I understand that it is my fault and I deserve my death.

-Gertrude 

Blog 4

"To be or not to be: that is the question"(3.1.56) This is one of the most famous lines in history. Throughout Hamlet's famous soliloquy he is trying to figure out if it is worth living or if it would be better just to die. Hamlet thinks for a moment if he should just commit suicide. When he says "And by opposing end them? To die:to sleep;"(3.1.60) Hamlet goesw on to talk about how hard life is. He asks himself who in their right mind would want to live in a world where so many bad things can happen. Hamlet says "For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,"(3.1.70) Hamlet also begins to wonder what life is like after death, or if there is even life after death. He says "The undiscover'd country from whose bourn"(3.1.79) Hamlet continues to talk and it seems to me that he has not made up his mind if he wants to live or die.

In the Kenneth Branagh soliloquy Hamlet is talking into a mirror. The audience gets to see most of his whole body movement. Throughout this version Hamlet speaks pretty softly and even draws a knife. He holds the knife towards his reflection, but that does not really show how he is thinking of suicide. Instead of pointing the knife at himself he his pointing it at his reflection. It looks more as if he is going to attack something rather than himself.

The Laurence Oliver soliloquy is my least favorite. In this one Hamlet seems to be at the top of the castle which is a different location than in the previous soliloquy. This could help reinforce Hamlet's thoughts of sucicide because he could easily fall off. There was also some dramatic music to introduce this scene which also aids in the way that Hamlet feels. I do think that this actor was less emotional then the others.

The Mel Gibson soliloquy was very well done. The location is in the basement of the castle and to me it looks like a burial place. This is the perfect location for Hamlet's sililoquy because he is talking about death while in a place where dead people are buried. I also really like the strong emotion that this one has because it shows how Hamlet is really feeling.

I think the Ethan Hawke soliloquy was good, but it doesn't really fit the original story. It is more comical then serious and that is why I do not like it. It is trying to make fun of something that is pretty serious. In this one you see Hamlet walking through a blockbuster, mainly through the action section. I do not really like this one because it is trying to make fun of the serious thoughts going through Hamlet's head.

The Mel Gibson soliloquy version did the best job in my opinon. I think it did the best job because it did everything right. It had a great location for Hamlet to be in, no music really lets you focuse in on what Hamlet has to say, and Hamlet was very emotional in this one. He really portrayed what was going through his head in the way he talked.

I would have had Hamlet in his room by himself because that is how he feels. He feels alone and he does not share his emotions or feelings with anyone and that is why I think that his bedroom would be a perfect spot for this scene. I would also do what the Mel Gibson version did and that was have Hamlet speaking with emotion. This really draws the audience in and gets their attention. I liked how the Kenneth Branagh verison had a knife in it. In my version I would keep the knife, but I would have Hamlet hold it towards him. This would be to reinforce the ideas that are going through Hamlet's mind about sucicide. I think that these changes would make this scene more intresting and suspensful.

Blog 1

I have so much on my mind right now that I just need to write it down. My poor son Hamlet has become a shell of his former self. He never seems happy and I think he is depressed. I do not know what to do and it is really upsetting me that my son will not even smile anymore. I tried asking him what is wrong, but he refuses to answer me. He told me "Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,"(1.2.77) Can you believe he said that? I mean what a depressing thing to say! I'm afraid that he will never be happy again. He might go off to school again and if he does I fear that he will only get worse. I told him "I pray thee stay with us, go not to Wittenberg."(1.2.119) I really don't want him to go, but all he said was "I shall in all my best obey you, madam."(1.2.120) It's like are you kidding me? You'll try your best? Why can't he just do what is mother asks him? I know what is best for him and I think that if he goes off to Wittenberg he will only get worse.

I hope that my husband cares about Hamlet as much as I do. I know that it must be strange for Hamlet that I married Claudius, but it is what makes me happy and he should understand that. Claudius did tell Hamlet "And we beseech you, bend you to remain here in the cheer and comfort of our eye"(1.2.115-116) This makes me happy to hear Claudius say this because it seems like he does care a lot about Hamlet. I hope that doesn't change.

I still love Hamlet more than anything because he is my son. I know he still loves me, but I just have this feeling that he doesn't care about me as much anymore. When everyone left except for Hamlet I listened behind the door to hear if he would say anything. I overheard him say "She married. O, most wicked speed, to post"(1.2.156) When I overheard him say this I was sad. I know that I probably should have waited to marry Claudius, but I love him. I also love Hamlet though and I just hope he still knows that.

Blog 3

Hey guys how are you doing? I hope you are all doing well because I'm having a hard time lately. I've been having a lot of stuff going on with Hamlet lately. I feel sad some of the time because I feel that Hamlet will never be the same. I fear that he will never come out of his depression. I do hope that his mood changes soon. I guess that is why I changed my background to the blue bridge. It really expresses how I am feeling lately. I've been sad, calm, and hopeful lately. I feel that my background expresses all these emotions in just one picture. The deep blue colors of the water show my sadness and at the same time it is calming. Also the bridge overlooking the water expresses hopefulness, at least to me it does. Anyway let me tell you what has been going on with Hamlet lately. 

As you all know the king and I decided to bring Hamlet's friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to help cheer Hamlet up and to find out why he has been so upset. I am saddened because Hamlet would not even tell his friends why he is upset. Rosencrantsz reported to me that "He does confess he feels himself distracted, but from what cause' a will by no means speak." (3.1.5-6) Even though Hamlet refused to tell his friends why he is upset I am a little relieved at how he acted when he saw his friends. Rosencrantz told me that "And there did seem in him a kind of joy." (3.1.18") I feel a little calmer knowing that my son is still capable of showing joy, but I am still sad because I know it will not last long. I still think that it is possible that the reason for Hamlet's depression is his relationship with Ophelia. I told Ophelia "And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish That your good beauties be the happy cause of Hamlet's wildness." (3.1.38-40) I do hope that she is the cause of his sad behavior and not me. 

I do hope Hamlet gets better soon. Everytime I see him lately I feel sad and upset as well. It is almost as if Hamlet's depression is a disease, causing others to become sad as well. I must find out soon why he is so upset or I will go crazy. One can only take so much of his sad mood. 

Blog 2

"The name's Bond, James Bond." In this action packed thriller MI6 agent 007 is on a mission. His mission is to find the person responsible for leaking the identities of MI6 agents to the public. Throughout the film agent 007 has to use his methods of stealth and intelligence gathering to spy on his enemies.


I think that Gertrude would be very intrested in this movie because it relates a lot to her actions taken in Act 2. Throughout Act 2 Gertrude is spying on her son. "Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you, And sure I am two men there is not living To whom he more adheres. If it will please you To show us so much gentry and good will As to expend your time with us awhile For the supply and profit of our hope, Your visitation shall receieve such thanks." (2.2 19-25) Gertrude is talking to Hamlet's friends here and is trying to get them to spy on Hamlet to figure out why he has been so upset. This can be related to the movie Skyfall when "mother", the leader of MI6 has agent James Bond spying on their enemies.

Gertrude almost seems oblivious to why Hamlet is upset. She has to bring in his friends to find out what is wrong with him and yet it obvious to why he is upset. "Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guidenstern. And I beseech you instantly to visit My too much changed son. Go, some of you, And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is." (2.2 34-36) Here we see Hamlet's friends accepting their mission to spy on their friend Hamlet. It seems as almost Gertrude is excited to find out what her son is up to.

 "I doubt it is no other but the main, His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage."(2.2 56-57) Here we see Gertrude understanding as to why she thinks Hamlet is upset. I feel like Gertrude might even feel a little bit guilty about her actions that have caused Hamlet to be in such a depressed state.

"I will be brief. Your noble son is mad" (2.2 92) I feel that when Gertrude hears these words she does not fully believe it, but there is a part of her that does believe it. That is why she ends up spying on Hamlet again by seeing if he meets with Ophelia. Once again her she becomes a master spy like agent 007.

Gertrude seems to have no idea what is going on with her son. "Came this from Hamlet to her?" (2.2 113) Gertrude finds out here that Hamlet might be in love with Ophelia and this is why he has been acting so strange. This is why she continues to try and spy on her son to see what is really going on with him.

My name is Stephen Otto