Who studied Hamlet in High School?

[Cretin]

We're currently studying this in my (Grade 11) English class in High School. One of my preferred Shakespeare pieces.

Of course the line everybody remembers the most is "To be, or not to be, that is the question" blah blah, but there's a lot of other stuff in there that's got a lot of deep meaning.

What do you guys think of the play? We just finished reading the book along with a tape, and now we're watching a movie of it (the one with Gibson as Hamlet). I like a lot of the language in it, even if it's written in "old" English and with all that figurative/poetic content kind of "scrambling/encoding" it.

"...shuffled off this mortal coil". That's just awesome... Instead of saying "dying", describe it with words like that. I would have never thought of something like that, given any amount of time! Granted I have no imagination and I'm an uncreative person, but that's besides the point, it's cool anyway.

Next week we're having a test on Hamlet, and we're going to have to remember specific quotes (and who said them, of course). I do believe I'm going to flunk that horribly, I have a memory of incredibly low quality (or so it seems at times).

Hmmm... 'Tis P) got many aspects of tragedy/irony in't. I find it hard to describe or explain, as if I'm too lacking in vocabulary.

Would anybody like to share their thoughts on this play or anything related?

I had to write a 12 line poem with references to Hamlet (I used references from a Byron poem as well), was due today. I'd type it out for ya's, but I handed it in today (yeah on time!!) and I can't remember it off the top of my head like that.

The title was from a line spoken by Ophelia... I think it was "I was the more deceived". Hope I'm getting that right.

Anyways, I think my inane babbling will have to come to an end. I'll check back here soon to see what you've had to say.

Cretin

 

[Russ]

<< Who studied Hamlet in High School? >>



I did. In HomeEc class they taught us how to make three different kinds: Denver, Western and Ham&amp;Cheese.

Russ, NCNE

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

I think Hamlet is a puff.

 

[AndrewR]

Hamlet is one of the best plays in English, but don't rely on Gibson to act it for you. Try renting the Sir Lawrence Olivier version, and you can watch him break his collarbone! (No kidding, in the final fight scene, he jumps from a set of stairs and breaks his clavicle -- he finished filming with it, and it was apparently excruciating.)

Better yet, see it in person with a professional or semi-professional troupe (none of that amateur community theatre, unless they are VERY good). Shakespeare was meant to be seen, not read. My wife and I actually just visited (back in March) the reconstructed Globe Theatre on London's south bank -- awesome!! It brings the whole thing alive.

Glad to see that some high schoolers can appreciate quality literature.

 

[Digobick]

<< but don't rely on Gibson to act it for you >>

I agree! The Gibson version is by far the worst. I know a gal that did her thesis on Hamlet, and she hated that movie.

But I loved the play itself. Studied it my senior year in high school and my sophmore year in college. I still have many parts of it memorized....how sad.

 

[Electric Amish]

I studied it a couple of times.

I, personally, liked the Gibson version.

amish

 

[Regine]

I studied it my junior year in high school too. Sadly I don't remember much from it.
I really love Shakespeare. It's hard to understand at first, but once you get into it, it is amazing!!

Here in the anthropology department in many classes students have to read an article called &quot;Shakespeare in the Bush&quot;. An anthropologist told the story of Hamlet to the elders of a tribal group in Africa. She thought the problems and conflicts of Hamlet would be universal, but not so. The elders had a totally different interpretation of the play. Now, if I could find it, I could tell you what they actually thought

Actually found a link:
Shakespeare in the Bush
Check it out, it's quite interesting!

 

[azazyel]

The first Shakespeare play that I really understood. I love when Hamlet is chastising Ophilia

&quot;God hath given you one face yet you paint your self another&quot;

&quot;If you marry, marry a fool for wise men know what beasts you make of them&quot;

Not exact quotes but you get the drift.

However my favorite is when Hamlet confirms the fact that his father was murdered by his uncle.

&quot;Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world; now could I drink hot blood,
And do such bitter business as the day
Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother.
O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever
The Soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:
Let me be cruel, not unnatural:
I will speak daggers to her, but use none;
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites;
How in my words soever be shent,
To give them seals never, my soul, consent!

 

[thebestMAX]

Try Lear. I married Gonneril.

Like The Thane of Cawdor the best.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

I never studied Hamlet, but I did study Othello. That is my favorite Shakespeare play!!

It really is amazing that Shakespeare knew all about human phsyology. He knew how to play with people's minds. The way Iago made Othello jealous about Desdemona is really classic. Iago is like the evilest character in any story!

 

[jonnyjack]

after reading it in high school we watched the gibson version too...when we had to write an essay on it i found some notes online...i saved them and if you need them here they are...

Hamlet Notes

 

[shopbruin]

my english teacher in high school was obsessed with hamlet. we watched the ENTIRE kenneth branaugh version (yes all four freaking hours) plus for select scenes such as the queen's closet and his to be or not to be scene, we watched roughly seven different actors through the ages that have played hamlet do those scenes... and then compared them... can we say meaningless? oh and yes this was in English AP...

 

[Fandu]

OK, well we just finished reading the book. Then watched the Kennith Brannah version, all 4 hours, then we watched the Mel Gibson version. Gibson sucks after seeing Brannah.

 

[SackOfAllTrades]

Brannagh knows his stuff. His versions of Hamlet and Henry V are awesome. It said on the DVD booklet for Henry V that Brannagh spent hours with Prince Charles talking about the Royal family of Henry V's time.

 

[kami]

We watched BOTH versions in school. I thought the Brannagh version was much better...but sh!t it was long.

 

[thraashman]

Hamlet is definately Shakespeare's best in my opinion. I did a term paper on it my senior year in high school. And yeah, everyone always remembers the To be or not to be above other lines. The main soliloqueys in Shakespeare are often the best remembered. In Julius Caesar it was Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your ears.
My favorite Hamlet line is &quot;Goodnight sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.&quot;