Final

Do we need to know Frame of Reference?

Lydia P.

Review

Make sure tomorrow we have a lot of questions to ask. From hamlet to fight club because it is easier to review in class then to try and study on your own. if everyone has a question tomorrow we will get more done in class and it will go by quicker too. For example, look up a hamlet quote and asks what it means, anything. Believe it or not tomorrow is our secound to last day of class.
kelly corcoran

Fight Club

Post any questions you may have from Fight Club concerning the story, themes, etc.


-Frost

17th Century Civil War/Poetry

Post any questions on 17th Century English Civil War/Poets/Poetry that may be a concern to you.



-Frost

Hamlet (Act 2-)

Post any questions/problems on Hamlet that may be a concern to you.


-Frost

June 10

Today in class we asked questions and went over what was going to be on the final. The final is going to be based through the entire year. Most of the questions will be from Hamlet (Act 2-, 17th century civil war and poetry, and either short answer questions or an essay on Fight Club. There will still be some questions from Beowulf, the Cantebury Tales, and Act 1 of Hamlet, just not as much.


-M Frost

June 9th 2008

Today in class we reviewed the very end of I am Legend. We reviewed that Robert neville is a very controversial character. We went over on if you were the last person on earth would you stay put or would you try to search for other life? On the other hand others feel that Matheson wrote the story this way so people could relate to it. People dont understand why neville decided to stay put and not try to find other life or seach for new things.

6/06 & 6/08

In Class on Friday we continued our discussion of Fight Club finishing up Chapter 18and it is planned for Monday 6/09 to have completed reading the text for class.
In Addition on Sunday 6/08 several students from periods 5/6 and 10, joined together for the annual 12hr read-a-thon. Where we as a group took turns in a circle reading the legendary book, Lord of the Rings. With breaks after the each chapter we dined on the various snacks that were there, shared a few laughs and when necessary we pushed our comrades to continue forth. Though our journey was long and treacherous, I think i can speak for the group that it was kinda fun, somewhat entertaining, and presumably worth taking on the venture.
I would like to thank Mr. Lazarow for allowing us this very much needed extra credit. And i also want to thank Danielle and her parents' Mr. and Mrs. Radey for opening up your home to 20+ high school students to read for 12hrs.

-Paul

June 5th

Today we got our test back from the poetry unit. Mr. Laz also reminded people to make food for the potluck or bring money for pizza. We also discussed Fight Club. The main character likes to write haikus in order to deal with stress and the world around him. The nature haikus are also similar to Henry Vaughan's poem Man and they deal with entropy (order always moves towards chaos). The capitalization on pages 63 and 64 is used to bring attention to what the character is saying and to show his emotion, how he is angry that no one is noticing how "Zen" he is. We also discussed how it is another amazing coincidence that the job that Tyler found for him only requires black pants and a white shirt. We also discussed seamlessness vs. disorder because of the relationship between Marla and Tyler. Their new relationship is affecting the seamlessness of the main character's life.
Keep reading the next 6 chapters.
--Laura C.

Directions to my house

From Main turn onto Mt Laurel Rd.(the hill with the light that goes to rt 38)
Make a right onto St. Anthony's Dr.
Follow St. Anthony's Dr toward a cul-de-sac at the end.
240 on the left.

From rt 38 turn onto Mt Laurel Rd
Left onto St Anthony's Dr.
240 on left.

6/4/08

Today in class we talked about Fight Club. We talked about how the narrator woke up in different airports. We decided it shows disconnect from the world. It shows he has a hard time telling what is real life and what is a dream. It shows that his life is fragmented. The author compares it to a projectionist and how they have to piece everything together. A good projectionist can place things together perfectly without a break, but a bad one makes it obvious. We also talked about how the narrator can loss total pieces of his life when ha sleeps and he may not even know it. We also discussed the apartment and how it represented him. It was described as a concrete shell. All the furniture in the apartment was all cookie cutter and did not represent his personality and his individuality at all. The only unique and individual thing in his apartment was the mustard collection in his fridge. It shows that he is still individual and different from everyone else.

Kelley Bartlett

June 3

Today in class Mr. Laz allowed us to discuss the book ourselves. During that time we decided that we will read the entire book by Monday so we can have time to review for our final. We also discussed the similarities and differences between the movie and the book.

Eddie A.

June 2, 2008

today in class we decided to read Fight Club as our next unit. We are supposed to obtain a copy of the book and begin reading it for class tomorrow. Mr. Lazarow also discussed one of the key themes in the book: the individual's place in the world. He said we were all sheep because we did not say that we were individuals.

~Joe A.

5/29

Not sure if I was supposed to blog or not due to the previous post, but today we took a test and it was very difficult. Remember to vote for a book for our class to read the last two weeks of class.

-Marci w

Here are your suggestions

The following are the text titles you suggested. To provide a greater degree of flexibility and potential interest, I have combined the suggestions of both classes. The list proceeds in order, starting with those texts mentioned by the most students.

Top Contenders:

I Am Legend
Jurassic Park
(both are excellent choices - I have frequently considered finding ways to work them into my teaching. And both have film versions that deviate significantly from the original work, which would give us even more to discuss. Matheson is hailed by modern horror writers--included King--as a major influence. Crichton has become a bit hackneyed in his choices of plotlines as of late, but I think JP stands as an excellent example of his style and most oft-used theme. I applaud both as potential texts)

Runner-Up:

Fight Club
(another excellent choice - but one I have yet to read, although it's on my Big List. I am certainly a fan of the film, and C.P. is certainly a popular and influential modern writer.)

The Pack:

Something Wicked This Way Comes
East of Eden
Aesop's Fables / Grimm's Fairy Tales
The Inferno (by Dante)
The Picture of Dorian Gray
1001 Arabian Nights
The Count of Monte Cristo
War of the Worlds
Dracula
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Angels and Demons
(These are all quality texts--literary classics, pulp classics, and fun stuff. The Inferno may be more than you want to handle right now...the fables and fairy tales would be much fun, but perhaps a little lighter than I'd like to go...we'd only be able to do selections from the Arabian Nights, I think. But otherwise, all worthy choices)

And the Rest

The Alchemist
The Last Lecture
Bless the Beasts and the Children
The Lovely Bones
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Watership Down
Lolita
Water for Elephants
(again, phenomenal choices. I ADORE Watership Down--read it for the first time in my senior year, long ago--if you never thought a bunny could be a hero, think again! I also adore The Alchemist--a short novel, but so profoundly meaningful and inspirational--I have suggested its inclusion on the curriculum many times! The Lovely Bones is already making appearances on school curricula across the nation, so it's also a fine choice. It's brilliant, but I would likely be fired for teaching Lolita to high school students. Again, really great things to choose from here.

This post will be duplicated on both blogs. Record your comments, and let's achieve consensus! Once we have, you may get your copy, and commence reading immediately!

LAZ

Test Question

Who were all the kings in power during the English Civil War?


M Frost

May 28

Today we reviewed in class for the test tomorrow and went over some possible books to read for the end of the year. Remember, the twelve hour extra credit read-a-thon is sunday june 8th at 10 am!
-samantha schaeffer

Thurs May 23

as everyone knows, today was a half day (and prom) so our periods were shortened. Class began with a discussion concerning the extra credit, 12 hour read-a-thon. The 8th of June is set in stone for the date and the location has yet to be determined. We have also decided on a 247 page section beginning at the end of the fellowship and ending after the first portion of two towers. We are therefor required to come prepared with a copy of both books (obviously) and a general understanding of the plot up to where we will begin reading. we then ended our discussion of Andrew Marvell's "Bermudas" and ended the class by going over the details of the upcoming test. Start studying...It's a week from today!!!
-danielle radey

Class May 21,2008

Today in Class we went over Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" and "Bermudas."
We talked about the extra credit opportunity; the date that has been chosen to have this event is June 8. We are still deciding on which section to start on. Mr. Lazarow has offered up the beginning, the middle which will involve the first book and the second, and the ending as starting sections.

On Thursday May 29 we will have a unit test on the poetry packet and the English civil war. There will be a section on the civil war, the poetry, the biography of the poets, and Paradise Lost.

Lydia P.

Philly Book Festival

What are we supposed to do at the philly book festival for the extra credit??


M. Frost

John Milton: Paradise Lost

Is it not contradicting that while many humans vote for the underdog(Devil) to win that we believe in God,or some kind of structure/ law? "Lucifer" is a rebel, the opposite of what we trust. As humans do we not like some kind of structure? What do you think?

Lydia P.

5/8

Today in class we talked about the blood drive that the Interact Club is running on May 20. After that we talked about the meanings within the poem Delight and Disorder. Then had a deep discussion on whether people thought that a person that isn't considered to be perfect still be attractive......especially during the time of prom.


-M Frost

Delight In Disorder

What does, "An erring lace, which here and there Enthralls the crimson stomacher:" mean?


Lydia P.

Writing Assignment

Post any questions here about the writing assignment!
-k fahey

5/7/08

Today in class we took a quiz on Life of Herrick. After the quiz we discussed Life of Herrick, and went over questions we did not understand on the quiz.
Dance-a-thon
Final deadline: May 9th (or it gets canceled).
Blood Drive
May 20th
7am- 8:30pm

new paper!

Today in class we continued to talk about the "what they carried" poem but took it one step farther. We did a hands on activity where we took inventory of our own items we were carrying at that very moment. From the clothes you were wearing to the deepest corner of your backpack, we listed on a piece of paper what was there. Recording took alot of time out of class. After the last person had finished Mr. laz told us the second part of the assignment. After looking at everything that you carry you must pick 1 to 3 things that say something about you. Why are you carrying those objects, what do they tell about who you are. After you have decided on the objects of your choice you have to write a paper about those choices. Write a paper about the things you carry and why you carry them. Pick the objects that mean the most to you and that really do mean something to you and explain it.

We also spent time to discuss the up coming last sign ups for the Dance-a-thon. which helps a local charity so it would be a good thing to get the word out to people around school.

As class was ending, we discussed the connection between Jesus Christ and James Cross. Cross carried the burden of grief and guilt for his men when Ted Lavender died. So, do you think that the connection had anything to do with carrying the burdens for others and sacrifice?

--Laura C

May 1st

Today in class, we did not have a quiz. We discussed the background of the poet, Ben Jonson. We also analyzed the poem "Come my Celia, let us prove" from one of Ben Jonson's satirical plays. The poem had a similar theme to "The Flea" by John Donne. We also started to discuss the poem "Clerimont's Song," which is also from one of Jonson's plays. It is about a person who suspects that the woman he is with is hiding something from him because she is so overdressed.

--Laura C

4/30/08

Today in class after we took our quiz for the day, we discussed MAN by Henry Vaughan. We talked about how man has no true idea what he is suppose to be doing or where he is suppose to be doing it. We said that everything in nature knows where it is suppose to go. We discussed the last three lines and how they are a metaphor saying that man is always moving and can never stop. The overall idea was that God has one plan for everyone but man has a choice whether or not to follow God's plan or create his own.

Kelley Bartlett

4-29-08

Today in class we took a quiz and talked about the poem Retreat. We talked about the multiple meanings that the title signified and also about how the poem is about the retreat to innocence. We started talking about the poem Man and that is what we will be quized on tomorrow.

Eddie Akrout

What is the significance of the line about Solomon in the second stanza of "Man?"

--Laura C

Rope of Sand?

Why was the whole rope of sand thing important? it seemed like in class today it was just a cool image...

~Joe Aaron

April 28

Today in class we took a quiz on "The Collar" by George Herbert. Then we discussed more about the quizes in general. Finally, we talked about "The Collar" and some of the questions on the quiz. ~Joe Aaron

Easter- Wings

Can anyone tell me what the last stanza means in Easter- Wings?

Lydia P.

April 24

In class on Friday we talked about George Herbert breifly after taking the quiz. We also talked about the poem Easter-Wings. The poem is concrete poetry, and in this case the poem looks like wings. We also discussed that there is a turn in each stanza. So far, we talked about how the first stanza has to do with humanity in general, and tainting ourselves with sin. The poem has to do with religon and humanity. We will continute to talk about the rest of the poem on Monday.


Marci W

April 24, 2008

We started off taking a quiz on Holy Sonnet 14. Then we went over Holy Sonnet 14 and broke the poem up into the 3 quatrains and then the couplet. In the poem Donne is saying that he it wouldn't be right for him to love God back since he has this "marriage with sin", so he asks God divorce him from sin . At the end he asks God to imprison him.

Samantha Schaeffer

April 23, 2008

We started off by taking a quiz on Holy Sonnets VII and, since it was quite apparent that we didn't do so hot, Mr. lazarow urged us to use our resources and conduct research in whatever ways necessary in order to fully comprehend the material. We then went on to discuss the sonnet and its context. The sonnet deals with the death, repentance, and most importantly, judgement day. Before realizing that it is not his place, the speaker calls all of the souls to go to their scattered bodies for their time of final judgment.

-Danielle Radey

Do you think that Donne wrote all "The Flea," "The Cannonization," and Valediction Forbidding Mourning" for his wife?

--Laura C

Valediction....

What does the narrator mean by the " Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears; Men reckon what it did, and meant; But trepidation of the spheres, Though greater far, is innocent." ?

Lydia P.

April 7

Today in class we watched the Mel Gibson version of Hamlet. When seniors return from senior class trip we will have a quiz on the 17th century Poetry at least the first reading.

Lydia P.

April 2nd

again...posted on the wrong blog for this day...

today in class we finished up with hamlet and had a little history lesson. there was a lot that mr laz talked about. mainly, the rulers of england starting from 1588(the spanish armada) were discussed and how they played a role in creating/continuing the religion of anglicanism and how the puritans were completely against it. if you need all the notes, i have them and im sure others in class do too.

reminder: test friday! but im sure you haven't forgotten

Laurie K

April 1st

ok so apparently i accidentily posted on the AP eng III blog....my bad....

Today the themes of Hamlet were discussed, and we came up with a total of 7
Revenge
Appearance v. Reality (things/people are not always what they seem, deception)
Betrayal
Mortality
Coming of age (maturity, growth of character)
Honor, which is somewhat related to revenge
and
Concepts of Religion (difference between right and wrong, questions of marality)

all these themes are fair game when it comes to the essay/test we are writing on friday!!!

--Laurie K

Themes

For the theme of betrayal could Polonius be seen as betraying Ophelia?

Lydia P.

Mr. Lazarow, what was the assignment for the extra credit again?

--Laura C.

Today, the question was asked where have we seen "as a woodcock to mine own springe" (Vii:336)before? Lydia pointed out as class was ending that Polonius says something similar in Iiii:124 ("ay, springes to catch woodcocks." But, Polonius says this when he is giving advice to Ophelia about her relationship with Hamlet. Other than similar words, I don't see the connection between Laertes's death and Polonius's advice to Ophelia. Can someone please explain this?

--Laura C

Yesterday 3-17-08 in class we wrapped up act four and started Act 5 sc.1 . we are plnnaing to finnish the book by the break and have the test prior to the senior trip.
~Paul~

In Vi, Hamlet fights with Laertes about who loved Ophelia more at her funeral. As Mr. Laz pointed out today in class, this reinforces that fact that Hamlet is going crazier because no one sane would jump into the middle of a funeral and fight with the deceased’s brother. Do you think Shakespeare intentionally had Hamlet pick the fight at the funeral because he wanted to keep up with his "pretend madness," he is actually becoming mad, or he was truly upset about Ophelia's death and just lost control?

--Laura C

Hamlet act IV. scene V.

Who is the lady that Hamlet speaks of, when he is talking to Horatio?



Lydia P.

March 14th

Today in class, we discussed Hamlet IVvi-IVvii. Hamlet chose to send multiple letters to Gertrude and Horatio so that Claudius would have to pay the ransom to the pirates. Hamlet switched the letters he was supposed to give to England about his death sentence with his own letters that had death sentences for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
We also discussed Laertes's qualities that were beneficial for Claudius's plan to kill Hamlet. Laertes is a skilled fencer and agrees to kill Hamlet in a sword fight in order to avenge the death of his father. Claudius needs to know how far Laertes was willing to go to get revenge for the death of his father. Laertes says that he will cut Hamlet's throat in a church. This is significant because it shows that Hamlet is honorable and now has the maturity to be the king. Laertes is willing to do a dishonorable and sinful assassination on the prince.
We also discussed whether the death of Ophelia was in fact a suicide. Because Ophelia is insane and has no grasp of the difference between right and wrong, we can assume that she did not commit suicide. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if it truly was a suicide, which leaves the question of where to bury her. If she did kill herself, then she cannot be buried on holy ground.
The assignment for this weekend is to read V.

--Laura C

Today in class we got our quizzes back and reviewed the answers. Some of the questions we discussed were why did Hamlet call Claudius “my mother”? The answer was because it is an insult to Claudius to not be called by his title. Secondly because when two people get married they become one person and therefore Claudius is Hamlet’s mother. Lastly, Hamlet will never call anyone except King Hamlet his father. We also discussed the rest of act 4 scene 5. We talked about Ophelia’s song and how it represented how she has been used and abused by everyone in her life. If anyone has any questions regarding the quiz just ask and I’ll try to help.

~Kelley Bartlett

The Thing to Remember/Take note of post was by me, Paul Campbell.

Thing to Remember/Take Note

Thing to Remember from today (3/12/08) from class:

In the case of the Flowers everything is:

1) A have and need to increase

or

2) missing and need to acquire

And that Mr. Lazarow took time to mention quite a few times the part about; The truth is told by the young, old, and the crazy but no one will listen to them until it is too late.

The Flowers Ophelia gave out:

The Flowers Ophelia gave out:

Rosemary-(Remembrance)

Laertes -for their father.

- To remember the things his father told him before he returned to school.

Gertrude - for the late King Hamlet.

Pansies-(Thoughts)

Laertes - For the raging thought in his head about what he should do about his father’s recent death.

Gertrude -Of her new relationship with her son Hamlet.

Fennel-(Flattery)

Claudius - his use of flattery to manipulate people.

Gertrude - her needing to be aware of being manipulated.

Columbines-(Disloyalty)

Claudius - his disloyalty to the entire country.

Rue-(Sorrow/Repentance)

Ophelia - For her sadness, due to the death of her father. She feels responsible for his death, and also the death of her mother who died during childbirth.

Gertrude - needs sorrow and repentance for her behavior.

Claudius - he needs some but has none.

Daisies-(Infidelity)

Gertrude - Her relationship with Claudius while Hamlet (her husband) was still alive.

Violets-(Faithfulness)

No One - She gives it to no one because she has no faith for anyone any more

~Paul Campbell~

Tuesday, March 11,2008

today in class we took a quiz on Act IV, secenes 1-5. We then asked a few questions about the act. The assignment for tonight is to find out what all the flowers mean and to interpret the reciever of each flower. ~Joe Aaron

March 10, 2008

Today in class we reviewed Act 4 scene 3 and 4. Currently Hamlet believes himself to be a coward and has already waited four months to kill Claudius. Tomorrow we will continue to talk about scene 4.

Marci W

Thursday March 6

Today in class, we reviewed Act 3 or continued on to Act 4. We studied the review questions for Act 3 and prepared for the test tomorrow as much as we could.

Samantha Schaeffer

Monday March 3rd

Mr. Lazarow was not in class today, but we were told to prepare for our upcoming test on Friday.

We have started Act 4 . Pay close attention to King Claudius's dialogue. How he refers to Hamlet, and the words he uses.

Lydia P.

Act 3 scene 4

This last scene in act three reaches the climax of the play. The scene first starts out with polonius telling gertrude what to say such as how his pranks have been causing too much trouble. Hamlet is coming so polonius hides behind the tapestry. Hamlet comes in and asks his mother what this is all about and gertrude tries to tell hamlet how he has insulted his father. Hamlet continues on telling his mother how she has insulted his father. Gertrude gets the idea that hamlet is going to try and kill her because he is acting foolishness and crazy again. Gertrude starts screaming for help and polonius hears this and started screaming help also. Hamlet then takes his sword and stabs it through the tapestry and kills polonius. the play reaches its first murder and its not claudius who hamlet thought it was. Hamlet believed the king was sneaking up on him again. Gertrude tells him he just commited a horrible act and hamlet says the death of a king is a horrible act too. Hamlet tells polonius he got what he deserved and life will beb quite now without him. Hamlets feelings are not touched at all for this horrible act. Hamlet then tries to show his mother a picture of two brothers and how they seemed happy and have good qualities. Hamlet tries to explain to his mom how he knows she still loves old king hamlet and how she can't just get over him that quickly. Does gertrude have eyes or feeings? Has she seen what she has done? Hamlet wants to know why his mom has been so paralyzed and has not felt any emotions over old king hamlet's death. Gertrude demands him to stop and she said the marks of her sins have been washed away deep in her soul. A ghost enters and hamlets starts to talk to it but gertrude says she cant see the ghost. she may be lying but the ghost may be all in hamlets head. It could even be his own conscience talking and him finally realizing his true words. Towards the end of the scene gertrude starts to believe in hamlet and asks him what she should do?

-Kelley O'Donnell

Act 3 scene 3

In this act claudius prepares to plan a trip for Hamlet to go away to England. As a king, he can't risk any danger hamlet represents to everyone as he grows crazier by the hour. Rosencrantz and guildenstern will obey the king and take care of the situation. Hamlet is going to his mothers room and polonius will be hiding behind the tapestry to hear what hamlet has to say. Then cladius talks to himself about how his crime is rotten and his guilt is so strong, stronger than his intentions. So claudius with pray and commit his sins, there is not much for him to do. Can he be forgiven for such a crime? He can only find help from angels and keep a black heart. Hamlet enters the scene next and speaks of his fathers murder and wonders how he can find revenge on claudius. Hamlet asks himself if its revenge to kill the king? He will wait for the right moment. Just because king claudius is saying his prayers and trying to cure himself doesn't mean he will survive much longer. Claudius ends with a strong statement of how his words with always stay here on earth and will never make it to heaven.

-Kelley O'Donnell

In IIIii, Hamlet and Polonius has a question about Polonius's acting experience (lines 104-112). Polonius once played Julius Caesar, who was killed by Brutus. My question is, why do you think that Shakespeare chose to add in this part?
--Laura C.

Can someone please explain the significance of the conversation about the clouds between Polonius and Hamlet in IIIii (lines 406-416)?
--Laura C.

Thursday Feb. 21, 2008

We started todays class by taking a quiz on Act III Sc. ii of Hamlet, briefly interupted before starting by a short conversation about the song Learnign to Fly by Pink Floyd. After the quiz we continued our discussion on scene ii focusing primarily on the name Hamlet gave the play, Mouse Trap, and Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia before and during the play.

Tomorrow we will be discussing the next scene so get reading!!

Sandra Haar

FEB 20th

Today in class our Essays were due.

After the turning in of our papers, we discussed Act III Scene II. We talked about why Horatio was chosen by Hamlet to spy on the king (being he wasn't biased, so he would be the perfect guy for the job) We also talked about what the purpose of a drama was- to mirror reality.

We're still not done discussing this, and its a pretty complicated scene, so keep reading!

February 19

I'd like to start my summary of today's class with the first thing I learned when I walked in the room:

ignominious - adj; shameful or disgraceful

The first part of class was spent handing back our Tables and assigning the new extra credit version of the old assignment. We were handed study guides for the rest of Act III and scenes 1-7 of Act IV.
Everyone in the class has a paper due tomorrow on comparing and contrasting the different film versions of Act II Scene 2 in Hamlet with the soliloquy. Remeber to start with the common place (the ordinary) on understood agreements, then move to the disagreements. Mr. Laz emphasized the use of topic sentences for the paper. Also, form paragraphs around criteria points.
The last bit of class was used to wrap up discussion on Act III Scene 1. The first question we talked about was whether or not Ophelia truly loved Hamlet, and we debated. This idea is open for interpretation, which is prime for film versions of the play. The next thing we discussed was Claudius and his conclusions. He believed Polonious is wrong, and Hamlet wasn't driven by love or madness.

Gabe Casario

Starting the Hamlet essay

Is anyone else having trouble starting the first paragraph? because i don't have any idea how to. Help!
kelly c

Act 2 Scene 2

If anyone needs to rewatch the Branagh version you can find it at http://youtube.com/watch?v=PUfG2ozXbAM thats the only version I could find.

Evan

In class we handed in our quote essays to mr. laz.
We had a chance to ask any questions about the upcoming essay we have on comparing two film versions of Hamlet's oh vengeance soliloquy.
Then after no one had any questions we watched Gibson's and Branagh's version of act 3 scene 1. We discussed the differences, like the order of the to be or not to be question with the confrontation of Ophelia, the understanding of the scene and who got the message across better.
-Kelly Corcoran

Feb 13

Today in class we went over the criteria for the tablet writing assignment than the writing assignment for the comparisons of two Hamlet features. Then we talked about act 3 scence 1 in Hamlet again. We mostly discussed what was said by Polonius in lines 52 through 62 and what it meant when he was talking to the King about Hamlet and Ophelia.


Mike Frost

Feb 12

In class we turned in our tablets and wrote which quote meant to us the most. We randomly chose someone elses quote to be our new writing assignment. The writing assainment includes and interpretation and to either agree or disagree with the saying. Also, to say if it matches with some of your own life experiences. After we gone over the criteria for the writing assignment we talked about act 3 scene 1 of Hamlet.

Mike Frost

Monday, February 11, 2008

On Monday, we got back our midterm grades and then discussed the essay on the Hamlet performance. The requirements of the essay are that it must be 3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced, in MLA format. Our objective is to prove why one performance is superior to another. You may only use two performances for your essay. We then discussed how to construct an essay.
Before an essay is written, you need a thesis (what you are going to prove in the essay) and list the reasons why one performance is better than another. These things go in the introduction. Intro paragraphs move from general information to the specific (thesis).
The body paragraphs must go in the order you list them in the introduction. Each body paragraph is to be constructed like starting with a topic. Then, the topic must be developed and supported with examples. The examples must be explained. The body paragraphs must end with a conclusion and a transition sentence.
In the conclusion of the essay, it is important not to summarize, you should explain to your reader why all this information in the essay is significant and what it all means.

--Laura C

Hey Everyone!!
Today in class we watched the last two versions of Hamlet. The first being Mel Gibson’s version from 1990. In this version half of the soliloquy was cut out. This version was a real movie not a play turned into a movie. It was filmed on location at a castle. The costumes were elaborate and represented the time period very well. In this version Gibson moved around a lot on the set. He walked up stairs and was throwing his arms around. He was able to show a lot of emotion by the way he raised and lowered his voice. The second version we watched was Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 Hamlet. This movie did not cut anything from the original script out. The set was a study with lots of books and elaborate furniture. Branagh’s acting was not as believable as other versions we watched because the lines seemed like they were read off of a cue card, not with the correct emotion. Also he did not show that Hamlet was going crazy. This was completely different from other versions of Hamlet we have seen. These are the main differences between the two movies we saw today in class.

Kelley B.

Feb 7, 2008

Today in class we watch two more versions of Hamlet. They were the Derek Jabobi and Nicol Williamson versions. Both versions used close ups which gave it more a movie feel than being at a broadway production. Nicol Williamson had a calm and depressed sounding voice. He gave the impression that he was actually saying the words to himself instead of thinking them. Jacobi also spoke in a calm tone. He gave the impression of being more angry than crazy. His voice was also very high pitched. The Jacobi version shows Hamlet with a wooden sword showing him "acting" tough. Jacobi spoke to the audience and not just to himself. At the end, Jacobi portrays Hamlet as truely crazy.

Eddie A.

Feb. 6, 2008

Today in class we learned of a new project. For this project, we are to analyze 6 different screenplay versions of Hamlet's soliloquy in Act II, scene ii. Eventually, we will decide which one is the best and write a 3-5 page paper, basing it on the criteria we discussed in class yesterday. We then watched the first production which was Burton and Gielgud's version from 1964, and discussed it. Finally, we started and almost finished the Kevin Kline version from 1990.


~Joe A

February 5th

Today in class we talked about what criteria you would need to make Hamlet, or any script into a film or play. One of the main is the theme of the script. The text has to be based around the theme with good transition and making sure the script flows well. Of course, if it was a film being made, there would need to be editing. As we spoke about today, this process is critical to a good production. What to save and what to cut are important things to consider since either could make, or ruin the film: like taking scenes out that are vital for the plot etc.

Also, special effects are important to any production. Whether it's visual or audio, it is essential to have. As Paul said, Ratatouille used a Foley artist to put sound to the actions characters create. This means they add the sound effects, rather then the actors making the noises themselves. Audio effects, such as music, can enhance, or alter perception of a scene and is critical to show different types of emotions the audience should be feeling.

The setting is important to a play or film because it shows time. The time period is shown in the set, the actor’s costumes, the way people act, and props. Lighting is critical in productions because it sets the mood. It needs to be realistic to the audience, so the audience will understand. It should be able to be processed easily and modernly. Such as the Hamlet version made in 2000- which definitely wasn’t the way Shakespeare foresaw it, but the audience can understand it better.

The actors in any type of show should have a resume, background, and skills that prove they deserve a particular part. As Laz pointed out, Keane Reeves was not rightly casted as Hamlet in a more recent production. Age is an important factor when casting a production, as is appearance. Actors need to show good relationships with the audience, the director, and the camera. The acting needs to show the audience emotion, movement in the body and face. It should also let them hear variety, accent, rhythm control, clarity, stressed/unstressed flowing of words, and volume of voices. It is important to emphasize special vocal parts of a scene to set the mood. Lastly we talked about the camera. The director can move the camera and capture different angles to give different emotion.

Sorry this is long, but we talked about so much todayyy!

Feb. 4th

Mr. Lazarow introduced our "perception vs. reality" discussion with an article in the Feb 31 New York Times in which a professor of Behavioral Science explained the semantic problem with tax "rebates". He explains that the government's idea of cash stimulation is only good if it is named correctly. Instead of a "rebate" it should be called a "bonus", which will encourage spending rather than saving. He argues that labels severely affect the way we think about things.
This article provides us with a current, applicable example of how reality is merely a matter of one's preception. Words are nothing more than symbols and symbols are, in turn, defined by the individual. A "terrorist" to one person may be a "freedome fighter" to another. The issue of "global warming" may be casual redefined as a mere "change of climate". The power of language is endless. Language can devide just as easily as it can bring people together. Words are very powerful . But that doesnt mean we should ever be afraid to question deffinitions, for words are defined only by one's indidual preception and the values one chooses to associate with a particular arrangment of letters.

danielle radey

February 1

Hey Everyone,
Today we had a quiz on Act 2. Then we discussed about question 25, on the study guide referring to the quote "nothing is either good or bad..". We discussed that it is how we perceive different things which tells us whether something is good or bad. Also that most of what we know comes from people that have told us something, mostly like 95%.

Samantha Schaeffer

January 31

In calss we spoke about act 2 scene 2. The major topics presented durring class were; the conversation between Polonius and Hamlet, Polonius's need to find evidence that Hamlet has gone "mad" from his love of Ophelia, Hamlets conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and the play about "Aeneas' tale to Dido."
Durring the conversation with Hamlet, Polonius feels that he gains the evidence he needs to prove his suggestion right. Hamlet, knowing that Polonius is not as smart as him, decides that he is going to give Polonius what he wants, just to mess with him. On page 95 Hamlet says, "For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kisssing carrion-Have you a daughter?" Polonius responds yes. Hamlet states, "Let her not walk i'th' sun. Conception is a blessing, but as your daughter may conceive, friend, look to 't." On page 95, Hamlet is playing on the emotions of Polonius, knowing that Polonius believes he is right in thinking that Hamlet has gone mad over love. In class we compared the content of those lines on page 95 to the theory of spontaneous generation. Sponatneous generation- the uncovered meat spontaneously grew maggots because of the sun.
In class it was pointed out that Hamlet would tell as many stories as possible to make his madness seem more real, and to also confuse people on the reason why he has gone mad. In the conversation with his two childhood friends Hamlet tells them that he is depressed, because " Denmark is a prison." We discussed in class how Demark was Hamlet's " nutshell." Hamlet could see Demark as a prison because he had seen that there was more, and his living space had grown, but now he is made to stay in Denmark, so Denmark is his prison.
The players come into scene 2 and Hamlet asks them to tell him the tale of the Fall of Troy, but only certain parts. durring class we reflected on the characters of this tale; Priam the king of Troy, Pyrrhus a great and evil warrior, and Hecuba the queen of Troy, and what, or who these characters represent. For Hamlet, Priam represents his father, because he was a good king, and was murdered. Pyrrhus, represents Claudius because he is a murderer like Pyrrhus. Hecuba does not represent Gertrude, but more of what Hamlet believes that his mother should act like. Priam was brutally murdered by this visciuos warrior Pyrrhus. Hecuba was over whelmingly hurt by the lost of her husband, and she cryed so much and so loud that the gods heard her and began to weap. Hamlet feels that his mother did not mourn enough and should have been like Hecuba, and mourn more, because her husband was murdered by the hands of someone evil, and he was helpless like Priam.

Lydia P.

January 30th

Today in class we went over Act two, Scene ii. We mainly talked about Claudius and Gertrude's idea of "hiring" Hamlets old friends and paying them to find Hamlet and talk to him. Claudius and Gertrude want to know what their son is up to. They are going to spy on him and pay his old friends to do it. Hamlet is being spied, this idea came from his own mother, concluding she made a very low and bad decision. Gertrude are only doing this for his own protection. It would have been better to have a "family meeting" but that idea didn't go too far. Another occurance is going on between Ophelia and Hamlet. Hamlet was found in Ophelia's room by her own self and gave her a long note. Ophelia and her father, Polonious, agrees to tell the king and queen about Hamlet and his insanity. They believe Hamlet is crazy and need him to stay away from Ophelia. Then Polonius makes a vow to the King (page 93) saying he is so convinced he is right. While all of this is occuring, in Norway, Fortinbras' uncle finds out young Fortinbras planned to attck Denmark without him knowing. The king (Fortinbras' unlce) punishs fortinbras and tells him he can only fight Poland but the shortest way to Poland is through Denmark. Fortinbras has to sign an agreement with his uncle to not attack Denmark.....
this is what is going on in act two scene ii


kelley o

January 29th

After opening class by sharing our "choice nuggets of wisdom" from our notebooks, we went on to realize that Mr. Laz forgot to give us our reading assignment. So instead of discussing the beginning of Act II, we got to read it together. Although we didn't get very far, we learned a lot about a few key characters- Polonius, in particular. By requesting that Reynaldo (a servant) spies on his son Laertes at school, Polonius reveals that reputation means EVERYTHING to him. It also led us to the question of just how far he will go to do what he thinks has to be done. Lastly, we learn a very important lesson from Polonius. When he says "Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth," Polonius teaches us the lesson that if you put out lies, the truth will come back and reveal itself. For tomorrow, we need to finish Act II Scene i and begin Act II Scene ii.

THE Dan Mullin

January 28th

We started the class with our 100 line poems. Then went on to this new blog activity. Next we looked at grades, the class aveage raised from a c- to a solid c. So good job class! Finally, we got a new assigment. We will record important quotes or experiences we encounter over the next two weeks. It should be fun.

Pride in Canterbury Tales?

in class today paul talked about pride being a uniting factor in all 3 stories but i still dont see how it was a theme in the canterbury tales. can someone clear this up because just saying, "some of the characters fell due to pride" did not do it for me.

~Joe A.

ACT I, scene 5

12. What does Hamlet say he will do in his mind?

Mike Frost

poetry slam

how was the poetry slam?
i wanted to go but i took a nap after i got back from my vball tournament and slept through my alarm. i could have read my sonnet for some easy extra credit

~Joe A.

Poetry is Slammin

Does anyone know where the poetry slam is tonight??


Mike Frost

midterm

has anyone figured out what theme connects Hamlet, Beowulf, and Canterbury tales?

Sam Schaeffer

Act I, v

I had a little trouble with answering some questions about "antic disposition", what is it? And why does Hamlet say, "O my prophetic soul!"?

-Kelley O

Hamlet -Laertes Ophelia and Polonius Act 1 Sc. 2

Why are Laertes and Polonius against Hamlet's thing with Ophilia? Does their conversation with Ophelia Forshadow later events dealing with Hamlet knowing or finding out about the ghost.

Lydia P.

Hamlet- Characters

Who is Polonius?



Lydia P.

Hamlet- Denmark vs. Norway

Why does young Fortinbras have control over what Norway does militarily, even though he is not the king?


Lydia P.

Hamlet (the king)

Was King Hamlet killed in a battle verses Norway, or has the reason for his death not been revealed?

Lydia P.

Hamlet

To help with the first scene I read and summerized it, for you all.

· (Scene 1) Late in the night is ominous.
· The scene opens with Francisco and Bernardo two guard of the Castle. The guard shift of Francisco ends at the stroke of midnight and he exits.
· Then enter Marcellus and Horatio. (Marcellus a another guard) (Horatio a scholar and friend of Prince Hamlet). Marcellus and Bernardo request Horatio to join the on their watch to see a ghost that has appeared to them a few times before. Horatio believes that this is all a hoax, but the two guards tell him t’is so wait until the stars are aligned and the ghost will appear.
· When the bell beat one the ghost appeared clad in full armor as though ready for war. Horatio is now shocked see his late Lord, the ghost of the dead King Hamlet. And also notices that the king is in his armor though that was not the way he was buried. But as the Late Kings is questioned he appears to be offended and leaves.
· Francisco and Marcellus think that the king either has a sort of treasure that he wants unveiled or know of an oncoming threat and is now trying to warn his people.
· The two guards say to Horatio you are higher-up than us so you must tell what you know for we have noticed that the country is building up defenses. So Horatio tells them of the prior bet of the late King Hamlet and the late King Fortinbras of Norway. A battle between the two kings for land King Fortinbras lost the bet and his life. So now Prince Fortinbras the new king is assembling an army to take back the land his father lost the land that late King Hamlet acquired legally.
· After the Horatio tells Marcellus and Bernardo about the upcoming aggression from Norway. The ghost of late King Hamlet reappeared. Horatio tries to speak to him but the King has no words for him. Dawn breaks as the Cock crows and the leaves once again. For no creature if the night can appear in the in the day, for holy and gracious is that time.
· Horatio come to the conclusion that if the ghost of late King Hamlet will not talk with them then it is his son who he will speak with
· End of Scene 1 Act 1

I will try to have scene 2 posted by tomorrow night.

Paul C.

Sonnet

A little before break i had stayed after class to clarify something about my sonnet. The question was can the line in one quatrain have the same ending rhyme as another line from a different quatrain? And the answer was, No.

Paul C.

Hamlet

Can anyone explain Horatio's speech in Act 1 scene 1? Is he Talking about King Hamlet and his battle against Norway?



Lydia P.