class notes (11.29-12.10)

these past weeks we mostly read and discussed hamlet.

we learned that Ophelia and Hamlet had a very intimate relationship, and it is possible that she was pregnant. this is evidenced by the fact that Hamlet comfortably went into her "closet", which was an extremely private room that no men would (ordinarily) be allowed in, so they must have a very close relationship. also, she gives herself the flower "rue", which symbolizes regret and aids in abortions.

I definitely didn't pick up on this when I read Hamlet, and it's an interesting thing to ponder when analyzing Ophelia and her decisions. 

we watched many different versions of Hamlet. It was interesting to see how different directors interpreted the play. we saw what appeared to be a very incestuous relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude, and also a gay Hamlet.
Then we discussed in our forums "Shakespeare in the Bush", which aided in discussion about these different interpretations of Hamlet. it was actually quite interesting to carry on these discussions about how different religions and cultural backgrounds affective our interpretations of Shakespeare.
(link http://apelit-okemos.spruz.com/forums/?page=t&fid=514C5A5E-8F50-4EF9-8219-AC21EBA06BB9 )

We also received a handout about existentialism.

existentialism is a philosophy based on free will, choice, and personal responsibility. 

it claims: 

-men have free will

-life consists of choices that create stress

-some things are irrational without explanation

-decisions must be followed through with

-decisions usually have some negative consequences

it does not claim:

-a good life consists of wealth, honor, pleasure

-society as a whole trumps an individual

-live life passively; accept what you are given

-science will make everything better

-people are inherently good; society corrupts them

major existentialists consist of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre.

also: the theater of the absurd. (TOTA)

characteristics include:

-extravagant humor to mask the horror of the meaninglessness

-anti-heros instead of a "great fallen man"

-people are bewildered, in an incomprehensible universe

common subjects include:

-a world where actions are meaningless

-lack of effective communications

-destruction of the individual

-lack of values

learning about these things will help us on the AP exam!

this segues into us reading "rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead", a theater of the absurd play by Tom Stoppard.

we've read this one day in class, but I've already seen some connections in the play with the common characteristics listed above; for instance, the characters seem pretty bewildered, and they have a definite lack of communication.

sparknotes is a helpful supplement to reading: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/rosencrantz/