Jesse - HAMLET Act 3 Scenes 1-2

   ... what is this play. I am getting sick of reading about these freaks (literally) spying on each other, being creepy and moody, and talking about the impending doom of humanity and the world. First off, I would like to bring notice to the fact that, unlike the other works we have focused on this year, this play is so anti-feminist. Hamlet makes weird sexual remarks to Ophelia in two notable dialogues during the first two scenes of Act 3, and she makes no effort to tell him off. Gross. Then, we've got Gertrude saying "The lady doth protest too much methinks" as her only remark on Hamlet's play. Finally, we see Ophelia LAMENTING about HAMLET THE FREAK not being interested anymore after he orders her to go to a nunnery 5 times and slanders women?? Although some of us have enjoyed the toxic we-shouldn't-be-together trope (talking to you, Evie and Lillian) that was in Scarlet Letter and Jane Eyre, we need to move on. Hamlet is misogynistic, creepy, and overall a total weirdo. She can do better, methinks. 

    Speaking of Hamlet being a weirdo, let's look at one of his many "speeches" he likes to give throughout the reading. The first is his iconic  "TO BE, OR NOT TO BE, THAT IS THE QUESTION" reflection starting at Act 3, Scene 1, Line 56. This man is really going through it - he, again, ponders his own death, death in general, and then what comes after death: "To die, to sleep -- / To sleep, perchance to dream." Although this sounds like a hopeful outlook on death, he then goes on a rant about the fear he and others share about an afterlife, or lack thereof: "To grunt and sweat under a weary life, / But that the dread of something after death, / The undiscovered country of whose bourn / No traveler returns". Yikes. Hamlet has a lot on his mind, and I am getting a little worried about him. If only there was something he could do to get some answers…

Ah, yes! What I’m sure we all thought of to be the best option of getting some answers from his uncle- create a play about the situation and stalk his reaction! A play within a play, classic! Genuinely though, why was this his first thought? He sure got lucky that this plan just so happened to work… seems a little TOO convenient. Also, Ophelia is definitely on to him. What was he thinking?? She asks, “Will a tell us what this show meant?”, to Hamlet, obviously prodding him for answers… I can’t wait to see how it pans out!

Ferrell Blog - 1st Reading of Hamlet

 Well, we’re back to reading Shakespeare. I have to say I am a little disappointed to leave the romance, but hopefully this is interesting. I just want to say, poor Hamlet! Wow he is really being put through the ringer. His dad is dead, his mom and uncle are kind of THE WORST, and apparently his dad’s ghost is just walking around at night. I think Hamlet is better than me, because had my uncle (now also stepdad?) told me it was unmanly to grieve my dad, I would have decked him in the face. 

I should probably start from the beginning, so let’s go there for a second. We start on night patrol with some guards, who stumble upon the ghost of Hamlet’s dad. I think I would have been a little more freaked out if I saw a ghost, but they seemed pretty calm. I respect Horatio for actually trying to talk to the ghost, the other guys seemed a bit more hesitant. Then we hear about the young Fortinbras (what a name!) and his plan for taking back the lands that his father lost. This seems like it could hint at solipsism, maybe he should take a note from Chillingworth before trying to avenge his reputation. I think the first scene was a tad bit bland, so now let’s get onto some family drama. 

You cannot tell me that this story is not straight from a soap opera. I mean, the widow marrying her brother-in-law? Classic. Gertrude and Claudius are the worst. I mean the actual worst. Can they please just leave Hamlet alone and let him grieve? I think he has some time to mourn his dad before he has to take over the throne. I also feel bad for Hamlet. It sounds like his father was a good guy who loved his wife and his country, so it must stink seeing your mom get remarried so quickly. Gertrude also might have some issues of her own if she needs her son to stay with her and not go back to school (I dare say some attachment issues?). The last thing that I want to say before I talk about Hamlet learning of his dad’s ghost, I want to applaud Hamlet again. He is FUNNY. Like, “A little more than kin, and less than kind” (1.2. 65), My father’s brother, but on more like my father/than I to Hercules” (1.2. 152-153), and finally associating his mom with “incestuous sheets” (1.2. 157). Like go off Hamlet! 

We close this reading by learning about Hamlet’s reaction to his dad’s ghost. He wants to keep this a secret (I totally get it). I am eager to see what happens when Hamlet joins his buddies on patrol, and what happens with his egregious uncle and mother.

Kate's Blog End of Scarlet Letter

 Hello Blog! Right now, I am writing this before I read so I can record what I think before I read the last chapter. Currently, we are getting ready to see if Dimmesdale and Hester can escape on a boat, but I have a feeling they will not. Since there was a strong connection to nature and especially Pearl with the stream in the last chapters, I am predicting that either Dimmesdale or Pearl will be separated or somehow thrown in the water as they try to secretly escape. Well, now I am going to read and find out! 

Well, I was completely wrong, but what an exciting finale the novel had! Chapter 20 is a summation of how the minister feels about his plan to escape with Hester and Pearl. He has several encounters with people where he wants to speak out against religion or teach some Pilgrim kids foul language. This is contradictory however because the reader also learns that Dimmesdale is excited to give his Election Day Sermon. Dimmesdale feels both confined and comforted by the expectations of his faith and his plan of escape. Hester also befriends several sailors on a ship departing to the Old World. Hester and Dimmesdale want to escape to a new life, but the term “Old World” suggests that nothing could change as they escape the new world. An encounter with Mistress Hibbins also leaves Dimmesdale second guessing his plans as he views her as the Devil. Finally, Dimmesdale tells Chillingsworth he no longer wants to take his medicine, and he starts his sermon over from scratch. Chapter 20 highlighted Dimmesdale questioning of his choices and religion.  

Wait, are we at the beginning of the novel again? Chapter 21 mirrors the beginning of the novel but instead there is celebration and not punishment. Pearl asks Hester if the minister will hold their hands and acknowledges how Dimmesdale has failed to step up in public. I agree with Pearl! Dimmesdale needs to take some sort of action to show where his true loyalties lie before escaping to the Old World. And oh great, we found out Chillingsworth will also be on the boat. He has an evil glare that shows that he plans to foil Dimmesdale and Hester’s plan.  

 

Chapter 22 begins by showing the reader the power of Puritan society. The reader also notices that Dimmesdale has grown a lot healthier since the brook visit. This is good, I guess? This could be from not taking Chillingworth's medication, but it could also be the author showing that he is happy to finally be free from the strict Puritan society and be with the person he loves. I am weary however, because all Dimmesdale has been doing is keeping secrets and lying about his plans to escape. Does this show that Dimmesdale is “healthier”/ stronger when deceiving others? I hope that is just the skeptic in me. The odd Mistress Hibbins also comes to talk to Hester about Dimmesdale. She declares that the minister's mark will show itself soon. She also invites Hester to come to the next witches meeting in the woods. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Hester looks up and she finds everyone staring at her! 

 

Chapter 23 shows Dimmesdale giving the best sermon of his life. Although, it is focused on the relationship between God and the people. People also say it was Dimmesdale's most truthful. Sound the alarm, there is a lot of deception and contradictions going on! And oh, my goodness Dimmesdale mounts the scaffold and BEGINS HIS CONFESSION. He leans on Hester as he declares himself a sinner too. Dimmesdale also reveals he has a red mark. Pearl bestows a kiss on Dimmesdale as he has finally stepped up to reveal the truth and stand in public with Hester. Then the MINISTER DIES. WHAT? What do you mean he dies before ever trying to live happily with Hester and Pearl in the new world. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO 

 

In the last chapter, the narrator gives the reader insight into how the Pilgrims are feeling after the Minister's death. Some say that they saw a scarlet mark and they deliberate how he died. Chillingsworth “wastes” away and Hester moves away. Her house becomes a museum, but she eventually comes back but without Pearl. I personally do not know how to feel about Dimmesdale dying. I am glad he spoke his truth and could reunite with Hester in the afterlife. I am happy though that Chillingsworth does not have the chance for revenge. Only in death is Dimmesdale able to escape the expectations of the Puritan society. I believe that this is Hawthorne's final message to the reader. It also reflects on the idea of solipsism which I hope we will discuss in our Harkness! 

 

This reading was long, and I am sorry I was not able to get everything in, but we can leave that for our Harkness! 

Nina's Blog 15 - 19

 Ok wow that was a lot, like a lot a lot, but hey at least we’re finally getting somewhere, so like let's just get righttt into it, this is going to be a long one and sorry for some spelling errors…

We start off these chapters with Hester finally getting into her marriage with Chillingworth, love a good trauma dump. She opens up about how he manipulated her to be “happy” with him and how she finally realizes the hatred that has been burning inside her, saying “He has done worse wrong than I did him!”, which I completely agree with, like who can blame her for what she did after he ABANDONED her. After Chillingsworth finally disappears into the night, we are touched with some beautiful imagery of Pearl being the fairy she is prancing around the woods. However, as cute as she seems, Pearl during her little adventures, makes her own A and places it on her chest imitating her mother. Pearl’s obsession with this A is getting a little strange to say the least, do we have another Chillingsworth on our hands. After Hester spots Pearl’s creation, she asks Pearl what she believes this A to be. Pearl responds saying “It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart!” While this is true, Pearl does not know the true reasons behind it, so she continues to pester Hester (lol) asking what it means again and again.  (the obsession is really freaking me out idk about yall). This chapter ends when her mother has finally had enough and snaps at Pearl telling her to please shut up. (real)

We continue their little forest adventure in the next chapter and Pearl starts to get more and more frustrating, maybe that’s just me. She tells her mother that sunlight is afraid of her because of the A she bears. (like she is so rude) Hester finally decides to try and tell Pearl what the A truly means, but Pearl beats her to it, sharing the story of the “Black Man.” Pearl had overheard this story told by a woman in the village. It shares a hooded man who haunts the forest and gives Hester the red A on her chest. Hester plays along saying that she did once meet this myth. Continuing this hike??, Pearl, like always, is prancing in nature, admiring the imagery and personifying the objects around her like the brooke, she is beginning to reallllyyy creep me out. She stops in place though as she spots a man approaching, she believes it to be the “Black Man”, but it turns out to be the minister. Hester tells Pearl to leave and Pearl being the strange child she is just prances off singing into the forest… After she leaves, Hester reveals herself to Dimmesdale.

After startling Dimmesdale by appearing out of the darkness, his hand reaches for her and begins to share the “themes that were brooding deepest in their hearts” which sounds super romantic….. For sure… Through their chatting, they continue to lock eyes with each other and stare into each other's souls. Hester gets Dimmesmdale to open up about his situation.. revealing to her the contrasting voices in his head about the hypocritical life he seems to be living and the pain it's causing him inside. After yet another trauma dump (there seems to be lots of secrets being shared in these chapters), Hester decides to tell the minister the biggest secret she has been hiding from everyone, she reveals the identity of her husband as ROGER CHILLINGWORTH (i know we already knew that but to the poor minister this was some news for sure) He sank into the floor utterly appalled and kindaa freaking out, but then he came to terms and forgives Hester for not telling him sooner. During this conversation the nature once again was reflecting their emotions of the sad couple. (kinda reminds me of Jane….) This conversation gets even crazier when Hester suggests that Dimmesdale should run away and change his identities to begin a new true life. (wow again Jane is that you???) This chapter ends abruptly with some crazy last statement that Hester would actually join him. Wow. OK then!

Continuing on, this last statement turns Dimmesdale’s stressed emotions to ones of pure joy as he begins to discover what this feeling of a free life would give to him. “Do I feel joy again? … Methought the germ of it was dead in me!” (that's depressing, but hey at least he’s healing) This scene was actually quite adorable because it truly confirmed the love that Dimmesdale and Hester shared before everything came crumbling down, this little future they began to craft started to seem like a reality especially when Hester took the A off her breast and through it into the brooke!!!! WOWWWWWW!!! FINALLLLYY!!! Ok was anyone else wondering where little freaky Pearl went?? I was!!! We learn that she was just being her elfish self and running around the woods like a furry:) 

Ok final chapter, this was a long one, I apologize. As pearl finally returns, she seems very off, not jumping over the brooke and coming to join her mother. Instead, she stands over her reflection staring at them like the twins from the shining. Eeeekk. We find out that she isn’t listening to her mother because Hester took the A off. I told you this obsession is really starting to get bad. Once Hester puts the A back on her chest, Pearl becomes her peppy self once again and returns to her mother, but still is a little cold to Dimmesdale….mhhhhh well i don't really know what this means (I DO KNOW), but I guess we will have to keep reading:) BYE!!!!!!