Friday, December 19, 2008

A maddening conclusion

RDHS was a live on December 12, at 8:30, as two teams came to meet to argue if Hamlet was indeed crazy. Both sides fought hard, but it seemed the negative team (Kelsey, Mellissa, and Jessica Barton) won through sheer endurance as Mary from the affirmative team (Mackaliea, Elida, and Mary) gave up nearing the conclusion of the debate. It started off with strong arguments and logical fallacies flying back and firth but soon changed to a shouting match with no points. In the end the team of Kelsey, Mellissa and Jessica won the argument, with the agreement of all present.

The good arguments were only spoken at the outset, the rest it seemed were just repeats. The affirmative’s made strong points stating that throughout Hamlet, Hamlet clearly showed signs of having many forms of medically madness. The negatives quickly disproved this stating that it was all induced due to grieve from his father dying, thus making Hamlet acting mad. They made clear that it wasn’t madness but just strong emotions in play.

Over all the rebuttals were weak and never really disproved what the opposing side stated, they just stated again and again their own views.

After the free-for-all the entire debate went downhill. The amusing factor is that the crowd did the wave, causing a stir for the debaters. The only voice to be heard the whole time was Mary shouting something, we’re just not quite sure what. When talking to on spectator he stated that Mary “turned into an ogre, was very loud and I fought to throw something”. Not a pretty sight.

Rules were broken, annoyance filled the air and sometimes points were made. People gave up (Mary), as they just didn’t care anymore. Funny to witness, a pain to stay. Although better then some debates it still left some things to be worked on. But one thing is for sure, the negative team won, and Hamlet is declared sane.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The new appeal: Boredom

It was a drowsy afternoon on December 11, 1:30, at RDHS as team Dawson took on team Stephanie in a give-it-your- fight to determine if modern tragedies were better accepted or if Shakespearean tragedies are preferred. From off-topic irrelevant arguments, or lack there of, and discriminating photos, both sides with tooth and nail. The verdict? In my view the Stephanie’s pulled together as while as Rebecca, to claim the title as master debaters.

It seems the only real argument was made by head Stephanie herself, presenting the only argument in such a way that none could dispute it. Her quick words were too fast for the guys and they were soon left in the dust. Or perhaps too fast it seems, as no one else could understand a word she spoke. After a little while Ben stood tall and said with power “Appeal to boredom”, and took his seat to a chorus of cheers.

The insults rang back and forth, from blonde jokes by Dawson to “I have points and you don’t” by Stephanie. Logical fallacies made the air thick so that it was hard to breathe, so many fell asleep.

With the Bouchater on high alert the free for all turned into a full thrown shouting match, where once again no points were made by either side, and gave a lot of people headaches.

Although the hate was in air, the debate ended with love. Both sides had a group hug and shacked hands before exiting the room. While the rest of us cheered for it had ended. It set the bar, low, for the other groups to yet debate, may they do better.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Hamlet 1.4 (The extra 1.4, outline)

Intro Paragraph (I know I was only suppose to do a thesis . . .)

Everyone wears a mask to protect their identity from staring eyes. Though not literal these masks protect use more then we think. Only when we are alone with those we trust do these mask come off and the inner person shines forth. When we are hurt we put on a mask to hide our pain, we wear different masks in front of different people and for different situations. In Hamlet, every one wears a mask to hide a secret identity, and once we remove these masks from them we truly have a different view of them.

Reason: Claudius wears a mask at all times
Example: Claudius murdered his brother, the former king Hamlet, in order to become king himself. This was done in secret, with no one but Claudius knowing that the act was committed by him. When Claudius confronts anyone, he must become someone totally different. Claudius puts on a mask of his own. He is no longer the self-serving, cold, murdering man that he really is, instead he becomes a kind, caring man who does his very best to ensure that Gertrude stays with him. His mask was hiding his true self.
Example: He knows he has done wrong and only along with god does his mask come off.
“Where to serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?
And that’s in prayer but his twofold force,
to be forestalled are we come to fall,
Or pardoned being down?
He then answers his own question by saying,
But, O, what form of prayer
can serve my turn?
Forgive me my foul murder?
That cannot be, since I am still possessed
of those efforts for which I did the murder!
My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.
3.3.45”

Reason: Every female has a mask she has to wear at all times
Example: Ophelia’s mask was one of social order, and as such was far more fragile then others. At the play she puts on a cool front towards Hamlet and keeps up appearances.
Example: Gertrude’s mask is one of ignorance. She refusing to belief Claudius killed her late husband. Once Gertrude believes Hamlet’s story it doesn’t affect her. Her mask is of ignorance and possible stubbornness

Reason: Hamlet’s mask was madness
Example: Hamlet blames Polonius death on his own madness
“If Hamlet from himself be taken away,
And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,
Then Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it.
Who does it then? His madness”
Example: In his madness Hamlet hurt Ophelia really bad. So much so that thought he loved her anymore, but again it was his madness for when she died he stated that he still loved her.
“I loved Ophelia,
Forty thousand brothers
could not with their quantity of love.
Make up my sum.”

Hamlet 1.6

When one goes from being sane to insane people will indisputably take notice. This can be seen in Hamlet, once he goes crazy many different people take note. Though he ways in fact NOT insane all appearances made it seem so. How? Internally Hamlet was plotting his revenge, plans within plans, to succeed he appeared to be mad so that people would think him so. All external factors said he was nuts. He begins long monologs that could may or may not be relevant to any point at all. Hamlet acted like a crazy person interpreting plays, in fact rigging plays that he himself wrote. Mad his lover mad and made everyone really mad at him. So Hamlet playing crazy is very convincing, debates have been raging to see if Hamlet is indeed crazy. Was he? No. He was just pretending. How does Hamlets plans turn out? Claudius thinks he is truly nuts and wants him killed, out of the picture. Horatio like a true friends sees through his BS, and wants to help him, and it works out for him as he is the last man standing. Gertrude thinks he nuts and betrays him to Claudius. Ophelia herself goes mad and commits suicide. What a truly happy ending, NOT!

Hamlet 1.5

“Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation, which he subsequently extended to include his observations of humans' innate curiosity.”


So how does this confusing triangle above relate to Hamlet? If one was to go step by comparing each level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs to Hamlet one would draw very interesting results. Starting at physiological needs, Hamlet passes with flying colors. But with every other corresponding level he fails, terrible.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs states in 'safety' that a person needs safety of family of morality among others. Safety of family was never to be found, his mother married his fathers murder, his uncle who hates Hamlet and wants him dead. Morality? What morality, he talks of suicide and wanting to kill his uncle, morals were never a barrier for anyone in this play.

That brings us up to need of love from family, friends etc. His family hatred him, back stabbed him and wanted him dead. His lover hatred him, his friends were used against him, and then he got them killed! No love for poor Hamlet!

The second highest need is esteem. Self-esteem, respect of others, respect by others.Nowhere is there to found esteem in hamlet. He talks about killing himself, and no one respects his ravings. He respects none as he wants to kill them all.

And lastly we come to Self-actualization which involves problem solving, and acceptance of facts. Hamlet's problem solving equals killing all around him and going mad, making others go mad and cause havoc. Acceptance of Facts? He could never accept that his uncle is now his step-father. He never accepts what the now has to offer!

So according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs Hamlet needs a lot, and then some more.

Hamlet 1.4





This is my quotable quote ad, using the line "Tis as easy as lying". Hope you all like it.

Hamlet 1.3

Hamlet has a very simple plot, father dies at hands of uncle, mother marries uncle, son pissed off and wants revenge. There is some fun action on the side like lover goes insane and lovers brother blames Hamlet, overall a very intriguing story. Each character has their own views of right and wrong. Every character reacts to a situation in a different way, moping, murdering, or suicide. How each one translates to their own reality influences the way the story plays out.

Hamlet, mad at the world, seeing no support from his mother or lover turns on both of them. He goes on a rampage killing and seeking out a way to avenge his father by killing his uncle. Hamlets lack of respect for life at the end leads up to his death. The second Hamlets finds out his father was murdered can be considered the beginning of the end for him.

Gertrude, seeking social status marries her husbands murdered to secure her place on the throne. She shuts out Hamlet and is oblivious to everything around her. This got her killed when she unknowingly drinks from the poisoned cup.

Claudius thinks he got away with the murder of Hamlet, and is threatened once Hamlet finds out. He sets in motion many ways of killing Hamlet all of which backfire upon himself and lead to his death, the assassinator was assassinated.

The family unit is the most important factor within society. Time and again there are examples of what happens when the family unit fails, mayhem exists. The family unit provides support and security for all, without it society would fall. It is built on order and law, which in turn are the foundation to society itself. The family unit and society go hand in hand.