September 28, 2010

Notes on 3.2:

-How does the idea of play apply to 3.2?
-Play within a play
-"the Mousetrap": use a play to find the truth; There is a repetition in the play because of the dumb show (where the play's background is introduced) and then the actual play. There is a play on words in the script of the play
-"you're playing me" Hamlet says to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: they are trying to fool him as to their intentions
-Hamlet makes a play (attempt/bet/wager) to catch Claudius
-playing of instruments
-the play on words between Ophelia and hamlet (double entendres and puns)
-playing/ messing with heads: backstabbing of friends or planting ideas within the mind

-Hamlet speaks to players (3.2.16)
-just like Polonius, Hamlet advises the players how to act or portray things
-constant attempts at advising people how to act and appear
-Purpose of acting and playing: reveal the truth about people
-"hold the mirror up to nature": reveal human nature to the audience; watching their own lives
-This is where it gets tricky because, according to Hamlet, a play is what seems to be
-wants Claudius to reflect on what he has done after seeing it presented in front of him
-Plays should mimic humanity without the melodrama (LARGER IDEA THAN SIMPLY CATCHING CLAUDIUS)
-This seems like this is a lot of effort simply to catch Claudius. He is not choosing to act or not to act. This is Hamlet stalling rather than making a decision. The To Be or Not To Be speech is completely liminal.
-The play doesn't give Hamlet a true answer about Claudius. We don't know if Claudius is afraid of being caught, heartbroken about his brother, or offended by the play. Claudius's reaction can't be assumed as a way to tell his guilt.

-Hamlet's relationship with Horatio
-nice that Hamlet seems to have someone that he can trust
-Important to note that Hamlet did begin to act like Claudius and Polonius by asking his friend to spy
-Horatio seems to react to Hamlet as a friend who is supporting him but he still somewhat seems skeptical about Hamlet's beliefs and actions


-Hamlet and Ophelia
-Ophelia seems to be interested in Hamlet in romantic terms (liked him before her father intervened)
-Hamlet is speaking to Ophelia in a way that a a brother wouldn't speak to a sister. Speaking rather openly about his sexual feelings
-denies sitting next to Gertrude in order to sit next to Ophelia ("metal more attractive")
-Polonius whispers into Claudius's ear (poisoning through ear)
-Ophelia agrees to Hamlet laying his head in her lap (ambiguous if they have gotten together in a sexual manner; will come back later whether or not Ophelia is a virgin or if she has lost her virginity to Hamlet)
-"or any show that you will show him": ANY show (in a sexual reference)
-Ophelia flat out tells Hamlet that he is naughty
-Hamlet's inaction seems rather frustrating

-"The lady doth protest too much"
-Gertrude calls out actor for denying too much but she doesn't protest at all. Causes Hamlet to consider her guilt