I actually love to read, I find ita very relaxing pastime. I am now changing my attitute towards it. First with Hamlet, and then this story, I am having a hard time with it.
Kurtz believes that the stations"should be like a beacon on the road towards better things, a center for trade of course, but also humanising, improving, and instructing."
Marlows aunt helps get him his job, she is happy that he will help in " weening those ignorant millions from their horrid ways."
Marlow sees that colonization is not really working: the workers are all starving and working in terrible conditions. Everything that is going on is all in the name of profit, it is not to help the people.
The natives seem as though they worship Kurtz, which makes him look good since he is bringing in the most ivory. But, that is where the most savagery is going on with the heads of "rebels" on top of the poles.
The International Society for the Sippresion of Savage Customs also seems as though they are trying to "civilize" the people of the Congo.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
DRJ # 4, Hamlet IV
This act seems like it is the calm before the storm. Claudius feels that Hamlets madness should have been dealt with, and he and Gertrude are to blame for Polonius getting murdered. Claudius wants to get Hamlet out of the country as soon as possible. Hamlet calls Rosencrantz and Guildenstern "sponges". He feels that that they are benefiting from their friendship with him, by soaking up the Kings countenance, rewards, and authorities. But then tells them that they are nothing but nuts in the mouth of apes. They will soon be spit out and discarded.
Claudius wants everyone to think that by sending Hamlet away , they will have time to think the problem through. The King is growing very impatient with Hamlet's antics and riddles. The angrier the king gets, the more frustrating Hamlet's riddles become.
Hamlet comes across Fortinbra's army that is going to Poland. He asks questions about the war and certain death. He feels that if men can accept the risks that go along with battle, he can accept the risks that go along with revenge. Ophelia has gone mad, she has lost her father, and Hamlet. After leaving Hamlet writes a letter to Horatio describing his adventures at sea.
Do you think that Hamlet knew all about the pirates before he left?
Claudius wants everyone to think that by sending Hamlet away , they will have time to think the problem through. The King is growing very impatient with Hamlet's antics and riddles. The angrier the king gets, the more frustrating Hamlet's riddles become.
Hamlet comes across Fortinbra's army that is going to Poland. He asks questions about the war and certain death. He feels that if men can accept the risks that go along with battle, he can accept the risks that go along with revenge. Ophelia has gone mad, she has lost her father, and Hamlet. After leaving Hamlet writes a letter to Horatio describing his adventures at sea.
Do you think that Hamlet knew all about the pirates before he left?
Friday, March 13, 2009
DRJ # 3, Hamlet Act III
Act III was actually the the most interesting to me, and it seems as though it is getting a bit easier to understand.
Everyone is still trying to figure out Hamlets problem. The king is starting to realize that Hamlet is not truly mad, and has an intended purpose. Hamlet does not think anyone can hear him when he does his "To be or not to be" soliloquy. He is considering ending his struggle, but he realized death is not a way out. Ophelia appears and she is happy to see him, yet she returns the gifts that he gave her. He act as though he doesn't care and respons with " I never gave you aught".
Horatio is Hamlet one true friend right now and he confided in him his plan. He is suppose to watch the King for any signs of guilt. The play begins , Claudius immediately notices the parallels between the play and reality. Hamlet asks Gertrude what she thinks of it, and then reveales the name of the play "The Mouse-trap." Hamlet now feels certain that his plan has worked. Claudius now knows that Hamlet knows !
Rosencranz and Guildenstern are ordered to get ready to go to England. They are to deliver Hamlet there. Hamlet sees Claudius and he is on his knees. This is what Hamlet has been waiting for. Hamlet thinks that he is repenting his sins, and realizes that his father was killed without being given the opportunity to confess his sins. For that reason, the ghost of the king is "doomed for a certain time" to "fast in fires". So, they are not allowed in heaven, or at least not right away. Hamlet thinks the king is praying, and if he kills him then his soul will go to heaven, so he decides to wait on his revenge.
Hamlet is called to his mothers chambers, and is unaware that Polonius is hiding in there. Hamlet thinks it is Claudius and stabs him. Hamlet accuses his mother of being an adulteress and an accomplice to murder. They get in a big arguement, but he is also convined that she did not have anything to do with the King's murder. His father's ghost appears and reminds Hamlet not to harm his mother. Gertrude cannot see him speaking to Hamlet, but she is convined more than ever that her son is mad. Convined that the his mother will not tell the king what she knows, Hamlet drags the body out of the room.
Why do you suppose that Gertrude could not see the ghost talking to Hamlet?
Everyone is still trying to figure out Hamlets problem. The king is starting to realize that Hamlet is not truly mad, and has an intended purpose. Hamlet does not think anyone can hear him when he does his "To be or not to be" soliloquy. He is considering ending his struggle, but he realized death is not a way out. Ophelia appears and she is happy to see him, yet she returns the gifts that he gave her. He act as though he doesn't care and respons with " I never gave you aught".
Horatio is Hamlet one true friend right now and he confided in him his plan. He is suppose to watch the King for any signs of guilt. The play begins , Claudius immediately notices the parallels between the play and reality. Hamlet asks Gertrude what she thinks of it, and then reveales the name of the play "The Mouse-trap." Hamlet now feels certain that his plan has worked. Claudius now knows that Hamlet knows !
Rosencranz and Guildenstern are ordered to get ready to go to England. They are to deliver Hamlet there. Hamlet sees Claudius and he is on his knees. This is what Hamlet has been waiting for. Hamlet thinks that he is repenting his sins, and realizes that his father was killed without being given the opportunity to confess his sins. For that reason, the ghost of the king is "doomed for a certain time" to "fast in fires". So, they are not allowed in heaven, or at least not right away. Hamlet thinks the king is praying, and if he kills him then his soul will go to heaven, so he decides to wait on his revenge.
Hamlet is called to his mothers chambers, and is unaware that Polonius is hiding in there. Hamlet thinks it is Claudius and stabs him. Hamlet accuses his mother of being an adulteress and an accomplice to murder. They get in a big arguement, but he is also convined that she did not have anything to do with the King's murder. His father's ghost appears and reminds Hamlet not to harm his mother. Gertrude cannot see him speaking to Hamlet, but she is convined more than ever that her son is mad. Convined that the his mother will not tell the king what she knows, Hamlet drags the body out of the room.
Why do you suppose that Gertrude could not see the ghost talking to Hamlet?
Monday, March 9, 2009
DRJ #2 Hamlet, Act II
In this section of Hamlet it is all about deceit. Everyone is trying to get information from everyone else.
Polonius and Ophelia have a conversation about Hamlet. Ophelia feels that Hamlet has gone mad, and they both decide to go to the King and Queen to let them know what is happening. Together they come up with a plan to test their theory. " To find the cause of this effect, Or rather say the cause of this defect". Hamlet often walks the the lobby of the castle alone. They are going to hide, while Ophelia confronts Hamlet, seeing if his love for her is making him mad.
The King and Queen call on Rosencrantz and Guildenstren ( two friends of Hamlet) to get information out of Hamlet. At first Hamlet is happy to see them, but then tells them that he knows that the King and Queen have sent for them. They can stay, but that his "Uncle-Father and Aunt-Mother"are deceived by his madness.
The players arrive, and they are going to do a play, " The Murder of Gonzago". Hamlet is going to add a bit of his own to it. " A speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which I would set down and insert in't, ."
If Hamlet just pretending to be mad, he is doing a great job. He declares he is only mad at certain times. " I am but mad north-north west when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw."
Hamlet is acting mad to try and get a confession from the murderer of his father. Do you think he has an idea of who that is?
Polonius and Ophelia have a conversation about Hamlet. Ophelia feels that Hamlet has gone mad, and they both decide to go to the King and Queen to let them know what is happening. Together they come up with a plan to test their theory. " To find the cause of this effect, Or rather say the cause of this defect". Hamlet often walks the the lobby of the castle alone. They are going to hide, while Ophelia confronts Hamlet, seeing if his love for her is making him mad.
The King and Queen call on Rosencrantz and Guildenstren ( two friends of Hamlet) to get information out of Hamlet. At first Hamlet is happy to see them, but then tells them that he knows that the King and Queen have sent for them. They can stay, but that his "Uncle-Father and Aunt-Mother"are deceived by his madness.
The players arrive, and they are going to do a play, " The Murder of Gonzago". Hamlet is going to add a bit of his own to it. " A speech of some dozen or sixteen lines, which I would set down and insert in't, ."
If Hamlet just pretending to be mad, he is doing a great job. He declares he is only mad at certain times. " I am but mad north-north west when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw."
Hamlet is acting mad to try and get a confession from the murderer of his father. Do you think he has an idea of who that is?
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