Homework assignment:
Due: Tuesday, November 7th. Remember: Bring your textbooks and post-it notes to class every day, unless otherwise instructed.
Read and annotate Act I, Scene 1 of Hamlet. Take note of words that are repeated. Post a blog about the word that you consider to be the most significant to the "tone" and "theme" (as much as you can infer) in the opening scene. (Hint: most significant words, in this scene, are repeated at least 4 times.) Post a blog about the ONE word that you have selected. Explain your rationale and make a prediction about the significance of the selected word. Blogs should be approximately 100 words in length (minimum) and should contain at least one quote from the opening scene. Unless you are the first to post, include a comment, observation or question about one of your classmate's posts. Follow the conventions of standard written English.
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ReplyDeleteThere are numerous words that are repeated in this scene but I felt the most significant word was "night". This word was displayed throughout the scene and it set the mood of fright, uncertainty, and danger. The three men, Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo saw this ghost ironically during the night. Night typically symbolizes danger and fear whereas day or light represents calming serenity. A revelation then came that the ghost was possibly their late king who battled Fortinbras and killed him therefore surrendering his land and life. This scenario puts the country at great risk inevitably proving the necessity for the setting to be at night to add to the mood of uncertainty and terror. Horatio also said that since the ghost appears at the same time in both occasions, it can mean bad news for the country. Overall, the word "night" exemplifies everything that occurs within this scene and pulls the entirety of what occurs together seamlessly.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Hamlet, I came to the decision that the word that i consider the most significant is the word "night", just like Kaelyn. This word can be found multiple times. For instance, it is used in lines: 11, 27, 35, and 162.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why i believe that this word is of such importance is because the ghost the men see only appears at a certain time, and that time is at night. This brings me to the conclusion that through out the whole novel, the ghost will only be seen during the night. Furthermore, the whole scene takes place during the night.
I also found it ironic how at the beginning of the scene, they began using the word by saying, "good night". As the scene progresses, we can see how the night changes from a good night, to a night that brings with it fear, and confusion.
Although, I don't necessarily think that night only represents death. Rather, i believe night represents a time where the ghost feels safe and does not have to fear anything. This is why he got scared and went away only when the rooster warned him about daylight.
Throughout Act 1 scene 1, plenty of words have been repeated but the one word i would like to discuss about would be the "cock" or the rooster. Usually, when the Cock howls, "cockadoodledoo", its symbolizes the break between night time and the early morning. like what Kaelyn said, night time usually symbolizes danger and insecurity, and usually when something bad happens, it occurs during the night time. on the other hand, the day or light symbolizes security, safety, and like what kaelyn said sernity. Also, in scene 1... the ghost was haunting the three guards Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo during the night time.. but when the light from the sun striked the ghost had gone away. Whenever the cock howls, the ghost go away and they dont come out till the night time, such as what Marcellus said about how the cocks howl all night long and thats why the ghost dont attack in the night time during christmas. Ultimately, the word "cock" is the transition from night to morning,, or danger to safety .
ReplyDeleteI felt that the most significant repeated word in the opening scene was “dead.” It was used to describe the king the ghost resembled, and during the description of the fight against Fortinbras. In these instances, it served to bring up the image of death, which created an ominous, foreboding tone. The word “dead” was also used by Marcellus when he described the apparition by saying that it came “twice before, and jump at this dead hour,” meaning that it always came at the same time. This scene also takes place at midnight, which could symbolize something ending, or a coming change, since midnight represents the transition from one day to the next. This fits well with the repeated references to death, since the ghost always comes at midnight. In her response, Kaelyn said that, “Horatio also said that since the ghost appears at the same time in both occasions, it can mean bad news for the country.” I agree that this scene may be foreshadowing a death or the demise of the country. Between the scene taking place at midnight, the references to death, and the ominous tone, this scene sounds like a warning.
ReplyDeleteI read Hamlet and realized that the one word that stood out the most was “night.” Hehe… I wasn’t the only one. Anyways, the word is used on the first page. Bernardo says “good night.” Nothing good ever happens at night! The word “night” should remind you of darkness. When you continue to read the scene, you’ll see that the “good night” wasn’t all that good and the night gives you trepidation. Not good. Another part that seems to be important to the play is the three men seeing the ghost at night. If they had seen the ghost in the morning the word “night” might not have had so much of an impact on the scene. The morning gives you light, the complete opposite of darkness. The word “night” helps keep that ominous mood and will probably be used throughout the rest of the play to keep that mood.
ReplyDeleteWhile I found multiple repeated words as well, the one I thought was the most significant was "night", like Angela and Kaelyn. In this scene, the word “night” symbolizes both fear and uncertainty. The ghost is viewed as ominous to the three men and its presence instills fear in them. In stories, ghosts typically appear during nighttime and people portray them as abominable signs. This ghost possibly foreshadows dreadful events can occur in the future, such as war since there were multiple mentions of it in this scene. Due to this foreshadowing, I agree with Angela that “good night” was used ironically. In addition, I also thought “night” shows uncertainty. While it had an overall ominous appearance, the three men had conflicting emotions about the ghost, for example, when Marcellus says “'Tis gone. We do it wrong, being so majestical,” Since we're early into the novel, I think we can consider the possibility of the ghost being a good sign in the future. While night symbolizes fear, night does not last forever; it eventually turns into day which usually symbolizes safety and security.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the most significant word in Scene i is "cock." Appearing at the end of the scene, the guards spoke of a rooster as being a "trumpet to the morn," and that "it [the ghost] faded on the crowing of the cock." As we know from years of cartoons, roosters signal to a farmer or village that it is like to get up from bed. Similarly, the crowing of the rooster in this scene sets the tone of a new beginning, of a rebirth. We already know that Denmark is experiencing inner and external turmoil. However, because of the uncertainty the guards experience about the apparition, the reader experiences an aphrehensive and anxious mood. We wonder about how this rivalry between Norway and Denmark will affect the charaters we have learned about up to this point. I also believe the cock to be a biblical reference, specifically when Peter was predicted to deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed. The Peter, thought of as the greatest apostle, just as the past King of Denmark was honored and revered by his people. Peter was too cowardly to stand up for Christ, possibly how the past King comitted some treachery in the defeat of Fortinbras. When the cock crows, the shadows of night, along with the illusions and enchantments that find haven in them, vanish. When the cock crows near the guard tower, the true state of the kingdom could be revealed. Just like what SammyWammy mentioned in terms of cocks crowing suring the entire night and the sacredness of Christmas, so too must there come a time when someone is willing to work tirelessly to set everything right again.
ReplyDeleteI believe the most important word in Act I Scene I was the word "Holla" My reasoning for this is it best illustrates how much of an impact Shakespeare has presumably had on our language. I say presumably only because it is possible the modern slang "Holla" as in "That's my boy! HOLLAAAAA!!!" could have originated from elsewhere. Nonetheless, it seems fair especially given that Shakespeare had an immeasurable influence on the language we know today. There are other words or phrases that captured this quite well, but none so well as Marcellus "holla-ing" at Bernardo. I think another good example was put forth by SammyWammy and Michal. Shakespear bestowing roosters with the name "cock" came from the sound they made crowing, in a form on onomatopoeia. However, a rooster's crow really sounds nothing like that. Given saying "cock" now means a rooster if you're on a farm, we can see just how effectively Shakespeare has affected modern slang.
ReplyDeleteI believe the most important word in this first scene was "speak," because the ghost didn't speak during its appearances, despite Horatio's demanding it to, with strong repetition of the word "speak." This ghost, as it was about to speak, was called away by the cry of a rooster. It is extremely apparent that the ghost wants to convey a (important) message, but can't. Also, as Brandon said, Horatio's demanding it to speak puts him in a position above the ghost. However, the ghost is of the past king, and what Horatio says may offend it. Despite this, the ghost had decided to speak, before being forced to leave.
ReplyDeleteEven though the ghost cannot speak, one can infer that the country is in extreme danger.
I agree with Brandon that the word speak has the most significance as it is repeated constantly in the scene. One example of this is when Horatio says "Stay. Speak, Speak. I charge thee speak." (William Shakespeare 1026) Horatio's comment creates a tone of urgency and curiosity as he wants the ghost to speak and wonders why it is there before them. The mood the reader gets is one of curiosity and wonder as to why the ghost is there and what role he will play in the future. The ghost reappears multiple times in this scene which means he has some significance in the play. Additionally as Kim said the ghost will undoubtedly play a major role and maybe even reveal many secrets to the characters of this play.
ReplyDeleteJust like Angela I think that the word "night" is significant. The word can signify many things such as the ones that Angela touched upon but I also think that the word is significant because just like the ghost only appears at night and the men guard the castle at night and the ghost can only be seen at night; I also think that in the "night" signifies when the country will become invaded. Usually at "night" things can’t be seen as clear and in the day. In Hamlet when Bernardo says, "And let us once again assail your ears, That are so fortified against our story, What we have two nights seen" it shows how only certain things are seen in the night that cant be seen in the daylight like the ghost for example.
ReplyDeleteBut also when Horatio saw the ghost "As thou art to thyself.Such was the very armour he had on
When he the ambitious Norway combated.
So frowned he once when, in an angry parle,
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.
'Tis strange" he felt like the country would get bad news because of what he saw at "night".
The word that stood out the most to me in Scene 1 was "speak", as many of my classmates have found, because it is used repeatedly in such a way that indicates urgency and demanding. The first time Horatio demands for the ghost to speak, he seems to be a bit in a rush; he has offended it and wishes to right himself by giving it the opportunity to speak. When he says, "Stay. Speak, speak. I charge thee, speak," he is using an urgency as he doesn't want to miss his opportunity to correct his mistake. The word "cock" does also come into play often, especially the second time the ghost appears to the men; it seems to be the crow that is calling it away as Kim said. When it appears, they attempt to be kind towards the spirit, hoping that it will speak if they treat it fairly. However, as Horatio continues to demand that it speak, the ghost remains silent - seemingly as a way of defying him. The role of the ghost seems to be important since the men are so insistent on it speaking to them. When it seems the ghost is finally about to speak, the cock crows, and it is called away. It can be inferred, however, that there is some sort of danger looming in the future.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Act I Scene I I think that there were many words repeated. In my opinion, "Speak" was the most significant because the guards were asking "someone" (the ghost) to speak. A ghost is usually not able to speak. I agree with Lawrence when he says, Horatio seems "curious and urgent for the ghost to speak". When someone sees a ghost its that they themselves, have inner turmoil. This is similar to Macbeth because when Macbeth began seeing Banquos ghost it was because he had guilt about his crime. Maybe these guards are experiencing guilt for the death of Fortinbras.
ReplyDeleteThere where multiple words repeated but the one I thought was more significant than the others was the word “night”, like Christina, Kaelyn, and Angela pointed out. In Act one scene one I believe that “night” is a symbol of darkness and fear. The three men showed a degree of fear because the ghost seemed ominous. I believe that the ghost foreshadows a bad future or a “bad night” because when is a ghost ever usually a good thing and the fact that it’s an old king makes it seem as though he’s come back to reclaim his crown. And because he died in battle it makes all the more sense for him to want to come back for revenge. Either way I don’t think his presence is overall going to be a good thing. Going back to the word “night” it seems as though all crimes happen at night and the fact that Francisco said “good night” seems ironic because right after he said that and left soon enough the ghost appeared. And that night seem to end up being anything but good.
ReplyDeleteThe word I chose to as the most important in Act I Scene I, was "night". As Kaelyn said, it seemed as though the word symbolized uncertainty. As humans, we fear the unknown, that is why many kids are still afraid of the dark, because they do not know what is there. The three men did not know what the apparition was. This scared them. It is something supernatural. As Kim said, the ghost seemed to be trying to convey a message, it seems like the men are afraid of the message that the apparition may have. Especially in these times of hardship in Denmark, the unknown was to be feared.
ReplyDeleteP.S. - I really enjoyed Sameer's.
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ReplyDeleteAfter reading Act 1 Scene 1, I feel that the most critical word in the scene was "cock". I felt that the rooster played a great deal in the first scene. First of all, according to I agree when Kaelyn says night sets a mood of "fright, uncertainty, and danger". This is the main reason why I feel that "cock" is the most important word. The cock symbolizes the transition between night and day. The cock is a sign of peace, since night makes us feel frightened. One thing I noticed was when the cock said cock-a-doodle-doo, the apparition of the king left right away. This can also mean that the apparition is dangerous, which leaves during the day, or when the cock crows.
ReplyDeleteThe word “Night” gives a mysterious mood to act one and will play a major part to the story. Night usually means in poetry and in novels that there’s something you cant see or cant understand. Night might also mean that it’s hard to discern between things, such as it’s harder to see what’s in front of you. This is a word that usually shows recurring themes throughout stories.
ReplyDelete"Da Boss"