MacBeth Prediscussion ?'s

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Macbeth Prediscussion Questions

Crossfire


Circle either agree or disagree for each statement. There are no right or wrong answers, and you will not be graded on which one you choose.

Agree/Disagree 1. Our fate is predetermined.

Agree/Disagree 2. It is natural for humans to strive for power.

Agree/Disagree 3. When in power, humans will do anything to maintain it.

Agree/Disagree 4. An accomplice is just as guilty as the person who commits a crime.

Agree/Disagree 5. If you kill, you should be killed in return (“an eye for an eye”).


Choose two of the above questions to discuss in writing. Explain why you chose the answer you did in 3-4 sentences. Please include examples to support your viewpoint. You will be using your explanations in small group and class discussions, so be specific!

4. I agree because the accomplice could do something to hinder the crime or even stop the person from doing it altogether. An example of this would be a getaway car driver just driving away so their partner will get caught.

1. I disagree because I believe that if you work hard enough at something, then you can change how your life is, even if it is only in some small little way. Having a different life changes the places you are at and the people you hang out with. This changes the fate of your life because you won't be or will be around some of those completely random events that are unexplainable and can happen at any time.

Hamlet Act V and IV Journal

1. What common event takes place in the lives of Hamelt, Fortinbras, and Laertes? How are the reactions of three similar? How does each cope differently in the the event?
All three of their fathers die. They all have some sort of anger about the situation, but Laertes throws a tantrum, Hamlet pouts, and Fortinbras just takes action.
2. How do Hamlet's views of death develop from the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy in Act III to his answers about the whereabouts of Polonius's body in Act IV to the graveyard in Act V sc i to his finals words in the last scene? What questions about the nature of life and death did the play make you think about?
He knows at the end that he had a point to living whereas before, he didn't think so. This play made me think about what our purposes are on earth.
3. Is Hamlet right to admire Fortinbras's actions in Act IV sc iv? Why or why not?
I think that it is good to have someone inspire you, so I thought it was a good thing.
4. What role do literal poisons have throughout the play? In a more abstract and metaphorical way, what and who else is 'poisoned' throughout the play?
The actual poisons are used to kill people. Most of the peoples minds are poisoned so that they do things that they would not normally do.
5. Does Hamlet redeem himself at the end of the play? Does he deserve a soldier's funeral that Fortinbras gives him?
I would say that he gains his honor and that he deserves the proper funeral.
6. A lot of characters die in the play. Which characters bring their deaths upon themselves and which ones are mere victims of fate? Explain your answers.
Polonius and Claudius and Laertes bring their deaths upon themselves because they have done some bad things. All the others are victims of fate because of the actions of the others.
7. Overall, did you like this play? Why or why not?
I liked the beginning but it got less and less exciting at the end because the people in the story just kept making stupid decisions and for some reason that makes me not like a story.

1. Hamlet gives advice about acting to the Players before "The Mousetrap" in Act III sc i. Do you agree with the acting advice he gives? Who is your favorite actress/actor? Why?
I agree with his acting advice because of the purposes that he wants the play to have. I like Will Ferrell because he makes himself seem like a child even though he is an adult.
2. Do you think Hamlet crosses the line in how he acts toward Ophelia, R & G, and Queen i.e. rudely? Even though he's the hero of the story, do you like him as a character overall? Do his flaws make him a more compelling character? Why or why?
I think that he does cross the line, and this makes me despise him a little bit, but I would say that it makes for a more interesting story because this is not how heroes usually act.
3. Claudius evidently feels guilt during Act III sc iii; however, he finds difficult to ask for forgiveness. Why is this so? Is there any any way Claudius can be redeemed?
He is very happy with the position he is in now, so he doesn't want forgiveness. I think he could redeem himself by allowing Prince Hamlet to be the new king.
4. Hamlet's fatal flaw in the inability to act, and his tendency to overanalyze situations. Think of other films/books you've viewed. What's one of the characters flaws? Do you think Hamlet can overcome his flaw by the end of the play?
I read a book called Bull Catcher, and the characters fatal flaw was that he was too slow to play college baseball. I don't think he will be able to overcome his fatal flaws.
5. Was the Ghost actually in the room with the Queen or was he just imagining it? Why or why not?
I would say that the ghost was actually in the room but the queen didn't see it because I don't think that she is sad that the king is gone.

Hamlet Act II Blog

1. Based on what he does during Act II, how would you characterize Polonius?
I would say that he is not a very worthy character because he uses other people for alterior motives and he is really not willing to help anyone else out.

2. During his conversations with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act II Sc ii, Hamlet describes his perceptions of reality? In your own words, describe Hamlet's worldview? Are you an optimist, pessimist, or a realist? Why?
I would say that he is a pessimist because he thinks of the world as a prison. I would say that I am a realist because I don't really think of the world as a good or bad place, I just think of it as a place.
3. Is Polonius justified in how he plans to use Ophelia to find more about Hamlet?
I would say that this is an unfair way to do this because Hamlet does not know who is around during his actions

4. At this point in the play, do you think Hamlet is really crazy or his he pretending to be insane? How does Hamlet act differently when he's around people and when he's giving soliloquies by himself i.e. end of Act II?
I think that he is pretending to be insane because he is so frustrated with every thing that is happening in his world right now. He is more calm when he is giving soliloquies.

5. Why do you think Hamlet's so attracted to the theater/acting? Why do you think he uses the play as a way to test his theory? Is Hamlet right be angry at himself for not acting on the ghost's words? Why?
He likes it because he can use it as an alternate reality to the world. He uses the play as a test because he thinks there is very low risk to it. I think that he is right for not acting on the ghosts words because he said that he believed in the words and apparently he doesn't now.

6. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern wrong for spying on Hamlet? Why or why not? How do you think Hamlet feels after they admit they were sent for by the Queen and King?
I would not say they are wrong because they are being forced by the King and Queen to do it. I think he feels worried after they tell him that they were sent.

1. Pick a passage from Act I of Hamlet. Write it down. Practice citing it (Ham.Act.Scene.Line Numbers). Why did you pick this passage? What do you think it's trying to say?

Before my God, I might not this believe withought the sensible and true avouch of mine own eyes (Hamlet.ActI.SceneI.68-70)

I picked this passage because to me it is kind of funny for me to imagine what a person in Horatio's position would say in modern times.

I think that he is pretty much saying: Wow! I cannot believe that I just saw a ghost even though I saw it with my own eyes.


2. The ghost is Hamlet plays a crucial role in setting events in motion? Are you a Horatio(skeptic of ghosts) or a Marcellus(believer in ghosts)? Why or why not?

I would say that I am a lot more like Horatio because I like to have concrete evidence that I can see to be able to believe in most things.

3. We get to know characters via a variety of channels: what they do, what they say, what they think, how they're described, and what others say/think about them. Do a character analysis of one of the following characters: Hamlet, Claudius, Horatio, Gertrude Find a specific passage for each of the following.
Hamlet
What They Say/Think: He is kind of sad and depressed

Passage:(Hamlet.ActI.SceneII.79-89)

What They Do:Talks about how he wants to take action against Claudius, but can't.

Passage:(Hamlet.ActI.SceneII.134-163)

How They're Described:Described as being sad all the time

Passage:(Hamlet.ActI.SceneII.70-74)

What Other Characters Say/Think About Them:He is not liked by many people

Passsage:(Hamlet.ActI.SceneSceneIII.122-142)


Based on all of the textual evidence, what is your overall opinion about this character?
I would say that he is very misunderstood because he cannot show his true personality because he is very sad.

4. Put yourself in Hamlet's position, what would would do with the news from the ghost? Do you trust the ghost's word or do you need better evidence? Would you tell anyone else what the ghost said to you or would you keep it a secret?
I would trust the ghost's word because I would think that there would be a good reason for there being a ghost. I would keep the news a secret and then I would carry out what he has asked me to do.

Hamlet Prediscussion ?'s

1. Is revenge sometimes the right approach in dealing with someone that has wronged you? Why or why not?

I think that revenge is never the wrong approach because you are just going to cause more problems by taking revenge.


2. Is it better to think before you act or act before you think? Why?

It is better to think before you act because you may not know all the facts in a situation so you don't make a mistake in your act.


3. Is there one singular reality, or do each of create our own realities through our perceptions and attitudes?

Our perceptions create our realities because we all think differently.

4. What are the qualities of a good friendship? Is it ever okay to spy on a friend if you are concerned about them?

Trust and belief are qualities of a good friendship, and I think it would be ok to spy on someone in some situations.


5. Should parents let their children make their own mistakes and let them learn from it, or should they keep a close eye on them?

They should let them make their own mistakes, so they learn from personal experience.

6. Should children always be supportive of parents if they decide to remarry after their spouse’s death or divorce?

I think that that decision should be up to the child because their personality may just clash with their new parent.


7. Is there ever a time when grieving process goes too far?

I think there is a certain point where it gets ridiculous and you have to grow up sometime and just become a bigger and more mature person.

Matrix Questions #2

1. The character of Cypher makes a decision that returning to the Matrix and living in its alternative reality instead of being fully conscious of the reality. This goes against the decision made by the released prisoner from the Cave. Why do you think Cypher decided to go back to the Matrix instead of living fully aware? Is his reasoning valid? Is ignorance bliss? Why?

I think that he did it because he didn't want to live the hard life of the real world anymore. In one of the previous scenes, it seemed kind of like he was tired of being a part of the real world. I would say that his reasoning is valid because he just felt no reason to stay in the real world. I would also say that ignorance is bliss because if you don't know about something, you have no reason to worry about it.

2. Neo is prophecized to be the one by Morpheus. Does Neo seem to accept this high profile role? What other character from literature you've read seems to be placed in this hero/savior role by others?

I don't think that he accepts this role until the part where Morpheus goes through the wall to fight the agent. Another character in this role would be Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit.

3. Humans are described by humans as a disease, imperfect, for a perfected technological program, yet the machine is viewed as the enemy/evil even though its reason and logic is supposed unflawed. What would the world be like if everyone was perfect and logical? What are other examples in movies and books where technology becomes the enemy/evil?

The world would be very, very boring if everyone was perfect. There would be no personalities and no exciting events, such as sporting events, would never happen. Another example of a movie where technology is evil is I Am Robot.