Response for Hamlet

Response Journal for Act 1, Scene 1 to Act 1, Scene 5

1. I feel insanely curious and excited. I know that a lot of things are coming ahead which would change the whole course of the story and I can't wait to read them. Shakespeare knows how to put in the correct clues and words to keep everything mysterious enough that you crazily want to know of the proceeding acts.

I believe the reason for so much suspense are the context clues put between the lines that Shakespeare wrote. The play starts on a very morbid, depressing and vague manner as if it's taunting me that I won't be able to find out its secrets and I love that about Hamlet.

2. a) I have felt very familiar to Hamlet about his reaction to his mother's marriage. Being in his position, I can see myself doing the exact same. After all, how is possible to be happy and prepare for the marriage of your mother when your father has died only a few months ago?! It shows me lack of morality in my mother, and that is very difficult and saddening to see. I am sure I would have been as frustrated, depressed, and angry as Hamlet was.

   b) When Polonius tells Ophelia to be away from Hamlet, somewhere down the line it reminds me of something in my life. It isn't exactly the same thing as the story line but I somehow understand Ophelia in that stage and I would have done exactly the same - obeyed my dad.

   c) I can relate to how Hamlet reacted when he saw the ghost, after all it must have been a nerve wracking experience. I loved the courage he portrayed since it's something I don't think I would have, but his questions, his attitude, and his perspectives are what I agree with.

3. I think Shakespeare has a very distinct style of writing that separates him from every author we have seen. Shakespeare is someone who expects the reader or the audience to be intelligent, analytic and philosophical. He shows the different hidden meanings behind the English language. I love that about his language. Adding to that, would be his amazing metaphors and examples. I almost never understand his language completely, yet I can totally feel what he wants to say. That's magical.

4. I have slight problems understanding the language since it's Old English and all the thy, thou, thee confuses me. Some of his metaphors are very hard to understand and actually draw conclusions from. That's why, as I said before, he expects a very intelligent audience to read his work. I would have three questions to ask: 

a) Why is that Hamlet takes the oath from the officers? 
b) Was Hamlet actually hallucinating the ghost, or did he actually see it? 
c) Is he truly mad or does he only claim to be so?