Poison in the Ears

I am convinced that this play is all about whether we can trust others. In connection with the spying, false reports (even though the messenger may think they are true) and acting, is the momentum for the plot: King Hamlet’s death! Poisoned in the EARS! The author deliberately chose the death to be this way. It is symbolic of the death we go through when we listen to GOSSIP and put our trust in man’s words. It has been the downfall of families, governments and nations. This, in my opinion, is one of the major takeaways Shakespeare intended from "Hamlet." Although there are no hints about where to get truth, we know that "by the power of the Holy Ghost we may know the truth of all things."

The Journey or the Destination?

Well what a journey that was riding down to Cedar City! We were introduced to a bell ringer (I Am a Bellringer) had a duck make its way into our conversations and played Star Wars when the road FORCED us to. Eventful journey? I think 'twas.
The destination was different then what I originally saw; nonetheless, it was not disappointing. Seeing a play gave me a whole new perspective on it and on all of Shakespeare's writings. I began to think, Shakespeare is not writing to get across things on a smaller scale because he knows his audience is seeing the bigger picture.
One thing Lauren pointed out was how the name "Winter's Tale" denotes a sad story. When I asked if she felt it ends happy (with the reuniting of families), I realized something: The journey is as valuable as the destination! Yes, the story ends well- it's great! On the scoreboard there are two new marriages, one old restored and many friendships mended. SO WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE STORY?! Why is it called Winter's Tale and not Spring's Tale?!
I believe, and it is in Shakespeare's mind, that the audience will see the repentant and happy ending, but also note the sixteen years lost due to folly and rash thinking. Those sixteen years, where the kingdom was in disharmony and (zooming in), where Leontes' family could have lived harmoniously, are now gone. The blessings they could have had and the progression they could have achieved slipped through the cracks of time.
He is portraying, much like in the Iliad and Odyssey by Homer, that the journey is just as important as the destination. The moral is one of my favorite. It is a tale because of it's happy ending, but Winter's Tale because the road was rough. The journey and the destination are equally important. May we not overlook one or the other.



Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winter%27s_Tale
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_Homer_write_the_Iliad_and_the_Odyssey

Camillo's True Loyalty

There is so much going on in this play I love it! I am really beginning to like Camillo. He is a key player who makes it happen. Two things I noticed...
1st When he leaves to go poison Polixenes, his conscious overcomes him and he runs because he decides to not murder. Just there, he was loyal to Polixenes, or was he?
2nd He kind of is sneaky when he goes back to Sicilia, but it's all for a good reason. Of course when they return, all of the good things happen with regards to marriages and such. Here, in "tricking" Florizel and then Polixenes, who is he loyal to? Many may say he just chasing after his own desires, but I would submit that Camillo, the voice of reason, is being loyal to that which is right. From the beginning he follows his heart.
(I looked up many different sources on the internet that helped form my opinion, but could not find any worth citing.)

Honesty

I found a common thread in Autolycus lines, see if you can pick it out.

"if I thought it were a piece of
honesty to acquaint the king withal, I would not
do't:"

"Though I am not naturally honest, I am so
sometimes by chance:"

"A lie; you are rough and hairy. Let me have no
lying"

"If I had a mind to be honest, I see Fortune would
not suffer me:"

Again there is this theme throughout Hamlet and Winter's Tale: Honesty. Shakespeare understands how important it is to be honest. This applies to us today of course, and I would point out that Elder Neil L. Anderson just came and spoke to us about honesty. He said if we would live it, it would enhance our time here at BYU. He was not saying we are dishonest, but he suggested we ponder on honesty and it's necessity in our lives.

Wrapped up in our hearts

Something Professor Burton talked about in class was how we sometimes get caught up in an idea and nothing can convince us otherwise. I wanted to comment on this in relation to the play and real life.

Here is one example of Leontes’ irrational thinking…

After the reading of the oracle he says (line 1363-4)

“There is no truth at all i’ the oracle:

The sessions shall proceed: this is mere falsehood.”

Even though he ordered the oracle be read, because it does not work together for his purpose he disregards it. Are we guilty of this sometimes? I know I have been. When we become so wrapped up in what we know, we often turn off the learning switch. This dams out progress and puts an end to growth.

In my life as an entrepreneur this is very important because I need to believe in my ideas and have enough faith to invest money and time into them, but not be sucked up in the notion that my ideas cannot be improved.

"Considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

Shakespeare is trying to make a point when the people who are being spied on are often “innocent.” Usually the person who is interested in spying, Claudius, is the character who needed to be spied on in the significant act of killing King Hamlet. Shakespeare is using irony here to make point! First is the question: if one cannot trust others can they be trusted themselves? Second, it is important for us to LOOK inward on our actions before LOOKING and judging the actions of others.

Theme of Guilt

There seems to be a theme of how all the characters feel inside. Hamlet obviously is very confused and feels that he has sinned. King Claudius raves about how he is a wretched soul and his sins torture him. Gertrude says that her eyes turn "into [her] very soul and there [she] sees such black and grained spots." Obviously the ghost of King Hamlet is portrayed in like manner by the way he speaks of his future in hell. Interesting theme in the story.
This, in essence goes along with what Latter Day Saints believe. Many, like Nephi in the Book of Mormon, scream "O wretched man that I am!" (see 2 Ne 4:17) But we know that the Lord Jesus Christ has suffered for our sins and sorrows and we can be forgiven. (Hints of this belief is found throughout the play. Hamlet lines 2552-3 and King Claudius)

Why Shakespeare?

So I mixed up the two posts, but that will be fine as it presents a challenge for my tiny blogging mind. Maybe I can successfully switch this post to be my first. My experience with Shakespeare, as I have told many in the class, is that my mom read it in college and the prophets quote him in General Conference. For this reason, my curiosity has heightened and I am now in a class. Yes, we did study one or two plays in high school, but I cannot remember much, nor was I thrilled about reading back in those days. Nonetheless I am here and my desire has changed to be on course with English 232 - Shakespeare.

First Post

This is kind of exciting as it seems blogging will become much of my life in the future. From now on I can tell my kids my first blog was about Shakespeare. They will think I'm an English nerd. No problem. Taking this class I hope to become more well rounded by diving into a world of unknown. Word use, critical thinking and analyzing other's writings are among skills I hope to develop over the semester.
Right now I am enjoying different themes our teacher has pulled out of Hamlet. The unknown world is emerging before my eyes. Like JJ, I believe there are many things in Shakespeare's writing that apply to our day. Hamlet seems to show there are less and less sources to trust these days. There seems to be a theme of "is this the real life, or is this fantasy?" Yes Hamlet saw a ghost, but was it real? Yes Claudius heard Voltemand deliver a message of peace about Norway, but was it true? Even though Claudius is at the top of the kingdom, is he really fooling himself? To me, and this is personal opinion and experience, the only real life, the only sustainable lasting happiness, comes from doing what us right. When we are doing our best the Lord will sustain us. These characters, and many in Shakespeare's plays, seem to live upon wickedness, and their miserable ends undoubtedly follow.