- Reply to the question in 2 well developed paragraphs.
- Respond to 2 of your classmates with a 5 sentence paragraph
- Due Wednesday Nov 12 at Midnight
Monday, November 10, 2014
Hamlet Act 2 Discussion
Make a list of character traits that Hamlet possess as seen in Acts 1 and 2. How are these traits of Hamlet used to characterize him both externally and internally?
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Hamlet is probably one of the most interesting characters I have ever read in a book. Even though William Shakespeare's use of language is quite "boring". Hamlet has a set of character traits that he possesses throughout Acts 1 and 2. Hamlet is often conceited and judgemental. Prime example of his judgement is when he judges how everyone was drinking and he judged them as them being drunkards and it ruins their reputation by far. Hamlet is often conceited because he believes that he is better than every single character in the story
ReplyDeleteThese traits of Hamlet are used to characterize him externally because he isn't shy to truthfully judge someone. Hamlet won't be afraid to tell someone about some wrong action that they are doing, and due to him being conceited, it boosts his confidence because he considers himself to be above everyone. These character traits also characterize him internally because he will often think about someone inside his head and judge the downfalls about them and think how better he is than them.
I agree with you that Hamlet at times can be very judgmental. He is quick to assume things about people. He especially dislikes the fact his mother has moved on so quickly after his father's death and is getting married to his uncle. He makes judgments about his mother about how she has not grieved enough. Hamlet is very depressed in these acts and by being conceited it makes him feel better. I don't think Shakespeare is boring though.
DeleteYes, Shakespeare is absolutely boring. Hamlet is a very interesting character. He is a very judgmental guy as well. He definitely hates the fact that his mother is already getting married again. Its like she doesnt even care. Yes, it is external and he is not afraid to tell someone about theirselves.
DeleteI think Shakespeare is boring because at first glance I can't really get what the guy is saying off the bat. However, when I take my time to actually read the play, I get the idea which makes Shakespeare less boring and a bit more interesting. Hamlet is interesting. But I think Hamlet is more of a horrible person than anything else. He's a jerk to everyone! ...wait.
DeleteI totally agree with you. Shakespeare is very boring. Mostly because it is hard to understand what he is trying to portray through the character. However, I also agree on Hamlet being very judgmental. I feel as if he just blurts stuff out and does not really think about what he is going to say, but then again when he does say it, he could care less if he offended the person or not.
DeleteI agree. Shakespeare's wording makes for boring reading because it is so hard to understand. However, once the meaning does get across, the reader can tell Hamlet is very judgmental. He has absolutely no filter and does not care if he offends someone or not. I don't know if I quite agree with the statement that he is conceited, though. I think he is just very strong-willed and isn't afraid to go after what he wants.
DeleteIn acts I and II Hamlet can be described as temperamental because his mood shifts between the acts, disrespectful/vulgar, and bitter. In the first act Hamlet is very distraught and is depressed about his father's death. He is bitter because his mother has moved on so quickly and is going to marry his uncle, the new king. Hamlet is disrespectful towards Polonius. On page 95 in the text he says, "Excellently well. You are a fishmonger." 2.2.190. Here Hamlet is using a derogatory term towards Polonius. Being a fishmonger was an insult towards someone of high status like Polonius was.
ReplyDeleteThese traits of Hamlet are used to characterize him both externally and internally. Hamlet's temperamental traits make those around him think he is going insane. Hamlet wants the people around him to think this of him, but it could back fire on him and his obsession to deceive people could actually make him go insane. Being bitter about what has happened to his father and what his mother has done characterizes him internally because it shows how much pent up emotion he has. Hamlet is angry about these acts, but yet doesn't do anything about them. This makes him almost weak and cowardly.
I agree with you that Hamlet is a mess emotional, throughout the two act Hamlet's mood continues to change constantly. Especially during the whole celebration and king's ghost scenes, we see Hamlet's mood change rapidly.
DeleteI agree with you here. Hamlet is very depressed about his fathers death. On top of that his mother is getting married to his uncle, which is totally not weird at all. I also agree with how you said Hamlet is bitter and distraught just because his mother has moved on so quickly from his fathers death, and also just because its his UNCLEEEEE.
DeleteIn acts 1 and 2, Hamlet can be described as emotional, bad tempered, and judgmental. In Act 1 Hamlet is emotional, because his father has passed away and his mother quickly got married with his uncle. His emotions also get the best of him when he thinks that he should not let his mother get married so quickly, but he does not want to tell his mother anything, because he does not want to hurt her feelings.
ReplyDeleteThese traits are used to characterize him internally, because his emotions will not let him go through with murdering his uncle until he finds out for sure. He says that getting drunk should not be a tradition and that is due to him being judgmental. Hamlet being bad tempered characterizes him externally, because when Polonius tries to talk to him, all that Hamlet does is insult him.
I agree with you that because of Hamlet's emotional issues he cannot follow through and kill his uncle. He wants to avenge his father's murder and make Claudius pay but he can't do it. Hamlet is very judgmental and seems to find flaws in everyone even his own mother who he loves/loved very much. Hamlet does not want to hurt his mother's feeling but by being emotionally unstable and deceiving her he is hurting her. Hamlet's emotional state changes back and forth between scenes. At times he acts like a real prince and is courteous but then the next scene he is rude and impolite.
DeleteI too agree with you Eric. Hamlet is very emotional. I see how Hamlet wouldn't tell is mother how he felt because as a child, you want to see your mother happy. At the end of the day, she would probably do what she wants to anyways because he has no control over her decisions. If Hamlet is not really mad, he is definitely emotionally unstable
DeleteEric you are right. Hamlet is emotional, bad tempered, and judgmental. I'm pretty sure that in the following Acts Hamlet is going to become even more emotional and bad tempered. Plus, he's acting insane so that'll give him an excuse to be a jerk.
DeleteI agree with you here Eric. Hamlet is very emotional and bad tempered. He usually lets a lot of minor things get to him. Hamlet gets very emotional at times especially when he contemplates on whether he should or shouldn't kill his unlce
DeleteHamlet posses many different character traits throughout Act 1 and 2. He is very emotional that he has lost his father, the king, and his mother married his uncle Claudius, the new king. Hamlet also shows a short tempered trait. He is very short and stern in the way he answers Claudius when he tells them about his marriage. The last one i will discuss is how he is smart. Many people would have just killed Claudius because the ghost told him to. But Hamlet goes through a process to prove to himself through his uncles reaction to a play portraying the murder.
ReplyDeleteThese traits are both internally and externally. Internally because of how emotional he is which can cause many thoughts in a person. The traits are portrayed externally as well though, because everyone can see the Hamlet is not himself, and they think he has gone mad.
I agree, Hamlet shows his short temper throughout the book. He also scorns the court for celebrating which is a real bummer. Hamlet when annoyed can be very judgmental but who can blame him, his dad died. Although, Hamlet can be described as a clever young chap because he is not certain Claudius murdered his father. So Hamlet waits and throws tests at Claudius to make sure he is the murderer before killing him.
DeleteI agree with you. Hamlet is very emotionally unstable. This can be seen in his outbursts in Act I and II. I didn't really think about being smart. Obviously, he had to be somewhat smart since he was a royal and they are educated better than most. But I never really took it into consideration. I think that he went through the trouble of proving his uncle guilty or innocent for his own peace of mind, not because he was smart though.
DeleteHamlet, in my opinion, is one whiny emotional and confused boy. Because seriously, look at this character. In the beginning, he’s all moody because his Daddy died. It’s been a month or so and he still hasn’t adjusted. He’s grumpy because his mom and uncle are kicking it in the master bedroom. He’s an jerk at the celebration. “You guys are drunks,” he says. Good, Hamlet, because that’s how you make friends. Then Hamlet sees his dad’s ghost. He’s all over it. But he even thinks twice about his dad’s ghost. Plus look at his relationship issues with Ophelia. This guy’s a jerk to her dad who obviously needs some help himself.
ReplyDeleteThe outside of Hamlet is the same as the inside. He judges everyone. Outside and inside. He’s a pile of poop outside and inside. He’s an onion, layers and layers of poopy person. He doesn’t really take the time to think too much about the situation because he’s too concerned with himself and his adventure of killing in Daddy’s wishes. Because seriously would it kill him if he just take a moment and be nice? Everyone thinks he’s a moody prick. His best friends are spies for the King and Queen. Come’on how much of a horrible human being do you have to be for your best friends to betray you like that.
But then again, who am I to judge.
Your post literally made me lol. Anyways, I totally agree with you. He is very confusing and seems to not really know what he wants in life. He does come across as rude to adults which is not the way to go in situations like this, but I feel as if his mind is in more places than one.
DeleteLol, I laughed too, Abby.
DeleteI do agree that Hamlet is a big whiner and has been very confused since his father died. His attempts to convey his feelings come across as snobbish and self-centered. The only thing I disagree with you on is how his father's death is still affecting his attitude. While I do agree that is the reason he is acting the way it is, I think the death of his father would still be a raw wound after only a month.
If he is an onion, does that make him a relative to Shrek?
DeleteAnyways, this one is awesome and simply descriptive, leading me to agree with you. Although in my post I tried to be all psychology professor and address Hamlet's underlying problems, you said it best: He's a big pile of crap. Hamlet is not the great humanitarian he often sees himself as throughout the play. But yes, the eternal statement we should all make: what gives me the right to judge him?
The character traits that Hamlet posses in Acts I and II obsession, violent outburst and is emotionally unstable. His obsession comes from wanting to know who killed his father by trying to find ways as to how he could prove his uncle to be guilty by creating this whole play as to how it all happened; he will stop at nothing to save his father's honor. He has violent outburst due to everyone trying to tell him how to handle his father's death, but he wants to cope with it in a different manner. He also gets violent when Ophelia tries to figure out why he is acting out the way that he is. The boy just lost his father, yet Claudius feels that he is taking the mourning of his father to the extreme. Throughout both acts, we clearly see how emotionally unstable Hamlet is and how confused he is. Hamlet, like any child would, is taking the death of his father pretty harsh and, again, when Claudius talks to him about how Hamlet's father lost his father as well and he should just get over it he seems not to care too much about his feelings. Even Hamlet's mother gets over his death and marries the uncle fairly quickly; which kind of implies who actually did kill Hamlet and shows why Hamlet is so serious about the whole situation of having everyone know that his uncle is guilty.
ReplyDeleteThese traits help characterize Hamlet externally by the actions that he takes to prove his uncle guilty and how he wants everyone to think he is insane so that everyone would pay more attention to him when he does his play. These traits also characterize Hamlet internally because we get to really tap into his inner feelings and how serious he is taking this situation other than his mother and everyone else.
I agree with you that Hamlet is a little emotionally unstable. He is quick to judge people, making him vulnerable to mood swings. In the book, he thinks Claudius killed his father without any concrete proof. For that reason, he also acts insane to carry out his revenge. I also agrees with you that he is obsess with his father. He plans to revenge him and takes his death very harsh.
DeleteWhile reading Hamlet you see Hamlet's behavior change throughout Acts 1 and 2. In the beginning, Hamlet is emotionally unstable with the fact that his father has died, and that his mother is now marrying his uncle. This marriage also causes a sense of hatred for Hamlet towards his mom, who was getting married so quickly after the death of her husband. Also after seeing his father's ghost, Hamlet doesn't jump the gun and follow the ghost's instructions, instead he takes his time to process what he was told before acting.
ReplyDeleteThese traits describe Hamlet both externally and internally. We see these traits externally during the celebration of his mother and uncle's marriage, where at first he is clearly upset with the celebration then right after he breaks down. Also these traits are depicted internally with the way he behaves around people almost acting as he was two-faced.
I agree that Hamlet's traits do start to take its shape as the story progresses. His traits and personality changes drastically when he starts to believe more that Claudius killed his father. However, I do not believe he has a hatred for his mother, it is more like disappointment. Also, although he does take time to decide whether to avenge his father or not, it is apparent that Claudius did kill his father to Hamlet..
DeleteI agree, two-faced; Hamlet creates his persona as being insane and depressed, but in reality he is just planning on how to get back at his mother and kill his uncle. Hamlet may also be clever for knowing that the ghost could be a demon instead of actually being his father's spirit whose trying to kill Hamlet's uncle. Overall, Hamlet could be described as to having a very interesting personality.
DeleteHamlet is a very strong character and his traits are clearly defined in the first act of the play. He is judgmental, proud, and driven. We see his judgmental nature when we learn of the celebratory drinking habits of the Danes; which, Hamlet strongly disapproves of. His pride is shown when he refuses to accept the marriage of his mother to his uncle so promptly after the death of his father. Hamlet's drive is seen in his complex plan to avenge the death of his father, one that could ruin his reputation and love life.
ReplyDeleteThese traits are seen both internally and externally. His pride and drive are internal. These traits both come from his mindset and are internal motivators for his actions. His judgmental nature is seen externally. He clearly does not hesitate to hold back his opinion on issues that don't really concern him.
I agree with you that Hamlet is very judgmental of other people. Hamlet often views the actions of others as bad. For example, he disagrees with the drinking of the courts. He also dislike the marriage between Claudius and Gertrude. In the book, he believed Claudius is the killer of his father without any concrete evidences. His judgmental got the better of him, and he is very quick to judge people base on his own thoughts.
DeleteI agree with you on Hamlet's strength and his pride and judgmental tendencies. He tends to force most of his traits to an internal state, however when they are all conglomerated they turn into his external insanity. All of his traits are definitely a result on his twisted mindset, and he has no issues stating his opinions, and would probably proclaim they from the highest tower in Denmark if given the opportunity.
DeleteHamlet is a very interesting character. He is very dramatic and hot-tempered. He reacts instantly when his father died and his mother is marrying his uncle. He does not like it. He want to do something against it, and comes up with his plan of revenge. He takes things to the extreme, when he is determined to do so, he will do it, as far as going to fake insanity to achieve his goal (the whole book). He is also very judgmental as evident in the fact that he does not like Claudius even without proof that Claudius killed the king.
ReplyDeleteThese traits defined Hamlet externally and internally. Externally, he is very short-tempered and take things to the extreme. We can see that when he is not happy during the marriage and his act of insanity. Internally, he is very judgmental. Without any concrete proof, he believes that Claudius killed his father. At the end, he went all the way as to act insane to carry out his revenge with knowing the truth.
I agree with you that Hamlet is dramatic and hot-tempered. His reaction in the celebration is negative and we see he doesn't approve of it at all because it was so sudden as if his father had never existed in their hearts. Also we see how dramatic Hamlet is willing to behave in order to achieve his goals.
DeleteHamlet is a person who needs help. A month has passed and Hamlet cannot cope with his father's death. He also refuses to accept the fact that his uncle is marrying his mother. Hamlet shows his willingness to scorn people for celebrating a good occasion, just because he's down in the dump doesn't mean everyone has to be as well. Hamlet also shows problems with Ophelia as well as with his friends.
ReplyDeleteOf course no one can blame him for debating on whether or not to feel because his future step dad killed his father. Hamlet finding out that his uncle killed his father, decides to pretend to go insane, and uses this advantages to figure out if Claudius really killed his father.
I do believe Hamlet's depression plays a role on the traits that Hamlet carries. The situations that are occurring around him play a role on who he is both, externally, and internally. Although, I do believe the way he acts with Ophelia and his friends is just an act to portray being a lunatic.
DeleteHamlet is a rather contradictory and confusing, albeit interesting, character. He is rather conceited, this trait being obvious with his whiny demeanor and judgmental statements about the Danes' drinking and his ridicule of his mother, blaming her for many of his problems caused by Cladius. He also carries himself with an almost false sense of pride, because, spoiler alert, he doesn't do much besides kill polonius and force his uncle to drink poison. Overall, Hamlet is Dedicated, as after seeing his dead father (which his mother cannot, forcing me to believe he is truly descending into insanity) and being told that he must avenge him, he goes about doing so. He is also intelligent, whereas his plan to act insane does trick everyone around him, and it does, in a way, allow his slaying of Claudius possible.
ReplyDeleteAll of these traits have an outcome in Hamlet's internal and external character. With his intelligence and cunning, Hamlet is able to appear insane and trick his friends and family, although I would argue this backfires and causes him to turn into a loon. His tendency to judge and his view of himself as more dignified than the other Danes has resulted in an internal view that allows him to create this "complex" plan. This trait generated confidence in Hamlet, resulting in his ability to decide he would avenge his father. Now that I am going back and re-reading that last statement, it seems a bit crazy. However, that makes me one and the same with Hamlet, so I deserve bonus points. :P
Yes, yes, yes, I agree with you. Hamlet is pompous, weird, and interesting, which makes sense since he's being written about in a drama. Thanks for the spoiler, Kale. I agree with most of your second statement. Hamlet acts psycho externally, but internally, is hatching up this plot of revenge. I don't think it's purely his judgment towards his fellow Danes or his superiority complex that results in his ability to create a "complex" plan. Yes, I'm sure having an ego can come in handy.. but the greatest influence of Hamlet's ability to plot out his vengeance is the hate he has towards his uncle, and just basically, all of his pent up emotion.
DeleteTraits that fit Hamlet's character include being a witty, passionate, young gentlemen. His passion is what withdraws his ability to be dramatic in the way he talks and way he acts. He is witty because he seems to be scheming very elaborately to avenge his deceased father.
ReplyDeleteThis traits characterize him as an anxious man, but as a act. Although, I believe that he will eventually truly go insane because he is so passionate about his scheme and about avenging his father. I do believe that will eventually be his downfall. Like I said, I believe his trait of being so dramatic and passionate will eventually cause him to have conflicts internally on whether or not he actually is insane.
I wouldn't really call him witty. I think he might be clever, but I don't think he's exactly comical. I think he's definitely passionate about avenging his father. Anxious or crazy?
DeleteFrom Acts I and II, I have gathered that Hamlet isn't a pleasant guy. He's actually pretty far from it. He's moody, whiny, and completely self absorbed...which is what makes him a good lead for a drama. Most people would be upset over the loss of their father or the marriage of their mother with their uncle, that's pretty understandable. What isn't understandable is being pompous and condescending. His self-righteous nature is shown as he prances around being judgmental (i.e. the marriage between his mother and uncle, the way in which the Danes celebrate, etc.).
ReplyDeleteTo some point, I think the traits he portrays make him up, but I don't think they're all real. His self-importance is definitely bone-deep. He is most definitely judgmental, through and through. Hamlet might not be as emotionally unstable internally as he is externally. I think at the beginning he's trying to hold himself together more so on the outside, just acting moody..but not really like a psycho..and internally he's unstable as heck. After he sees his father's ghost and is motivated by vengeance, I believe this flips. Now he's intentionally playing as a psycho externally. I think this actually allows him steady his emotions..even though it isn't clearly seen. Completely externally, one might view Hamlet as a self-absorbed psycho-man. The "internal" element is also self-absorbed and judgmental and all of that, but put together enough to come up with a plan for revenge.
I agree with you. Hamlet might not be the best of company. Wouldn't most of us be judgmental if our mothers married our uncles, though? I think that these traits can be used as somewhat of a cover-up. Hamlet uses them to not show his true emotions.
DeleteHamlet has many different character traits in Acts I and II. He is insanely judgmental for both acts. He sees himself as high above everyone else, and belittles everyone else. He doesn't seem to care about anything that doesn't involve himself. All this can be seen in many instances in the play. He is so involved in the death of his father that he cares about nothing else. He belittles the court when he sees them drinking. Hamlet judges his own mother after she marries his uncle. All of these are a very prominent of Hamlet's character.
ReplyDeleteThese traits characterize him both internally and externally. They build the foundation on how everyone else sees him. As seen in Act II, most of the other characters truly believe that Hamlet is going crazy. All of the traits, I think, can be seen in the external characterization. They can also be seen in internal characterization. The traits leave you clues about how Hamlet sees himself.
At first I did not understand why Hamlet is "judgmental." The way you explained it about him being high above everyone else made a lot more sense to me. I feel that Hamlet does care about one thing other than himself and that is his father. His father is initially the reason he is acting as wild as he is.
DeleteHamlet's is going crazy, no doubt about it. From what I'm revising from out of Act I and II he once was a judgemental guy, no he's going insane. It's like his life his spiraling down because not only is he acting crazy but his uncle is trying to get with his fathers wife! If that's not gonna drive you up the wall you need to see a doctor. i believe as well that he is emotionally unstable due to the fact that he shook his girlfriend to the ground.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Hamlet is actually going crazy, while he is only trying to pretend that he is crazy. I do not get the vibe that Hamlet is judge mental, I feel that he has a somewhat right to be acting how he is. I also agree with your second statement. I agree that Hamlet is emotionally unstable due to his father's death.
DeleteThe main character traits that Hamlet portrays are very emotional, daring, brave, and violent. Hamlet is extremely emotional throughout the story because of the death of his father. Hamlet is daring because he pretends to be insane because he has seen his father’s ghost and he thinks that is a good way to deal with learning that his father could have been possibly murder by his uncle. Hamlet is brave because he goes through with the insanity and writes an entire play just so he can get to the bottom of things. Due to the fact that Hamlet is so emotional he tends to be violent. These characteristics are used to characterize Hamlet externally by his actions.
ReplyDelete