Hamlet's Soliloquy Analysis

       In Hamlet's famous soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1 of Hamlet, Shakespeare emphasizes Hamlet's internal struggle between action and inaction as he questions to live or to die. By questioning "to be, or not to be", Hamlet directly ponders whether he should live or to take his own life as he wonders whether life is worth living if one has to suffer through it (V.iii.64). Hamlet I'd questioning whether his life is worth living despit suffering, or if he should take a knife and end his life, wondering which action would be nobler.  During this soliloquy, Hamlet also expresses traces of his main internal struggle between action or inaction when he says "thus conscience does make cowards of us all" (V.iii.91). By using the word "conscience", Hamlet emphasizes that he is not mad currently as he has a connection with his mental capacity and thoughts. Because of this, when he says that is is his conscience that makes "cowards of us all", he reasons that his inability to act, whether it be killing Claudius or himself, is hindered by his ability to think clearly and make judgements based off of potential successes and consequences. Similarly, when he says "the native hue of resolution, is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought" while reflecting upon the causes of his struggle between action or inaction (V.iii.92-93). In this quote, Hamlet reveals that the true reason why he remains in a state of stagnation is due to his over analyzing of the situation, which has "sicklied...the pale cast of thought." By describing his thought as "pale", Hamlet reveals that the small portion of his thoughts that support action is already a weak and limp, but due to his overthinking, it has been completely overcome by inaction. Overall, Hamlet's struggle is hindered by his own action of overthinking and doubt in his decisions and choices. Therefore, in Hamlet's famous soliloquy, he addresses his central character struggle between action and inaction.

Fate and Free Will Pre-Reading Thoughts

1. What role does exercising our free will have in determining our path?
        Free will is instrumental in determining our individual paths as free will influences our actions and decisions. Each decision that an individual makes is a direct effect of their use of free will. Similarly, as decisions shape one's path, free will plays a crucial role in the development of such a journey through life. For example, in my life, every decision I make impacts my future in some way, no matter how big the decision.

2. Are we all "actors" playing "roles" in our lives? Are people ever actually honest with each other?
       No, I believe that people are not able to play "roles" in their lives as every person is an individual. As individuals, people are all unique in their own way, whether it be the way they choose to express themselves or their sense of humor. No two people are identical no matter how similar they may appear to be. Because society as a whole is made up of millions of individuals, there is no possible way for each of those individual lives to be merely "acting" a certain way, or looking a certain way to appeal to a greater society.

3. Is revenge justifiable? Is suicide justifiable?
       I think, that revenge, is not necessarily justifiable, but I can understand why some people feel that revenge is necessary in order to "take back what is theirs" or even a playing field.Even though revenge, no matter how pety, is not something I myself would believe to be a justifiable action, I am able to see both the benefits and drawbacks that others may have by taking such actions.
       I do believe that suicide is justifiable because I am a firm believer in a right to ones own body, and I believe that people have the right to choose whether or not to continue on their path. Although I believe that individuals are justified in their choice of taking their own life, I do not support their decision. I am not a supporter of suicide as a form of relief from the hardship that is life. But, with that said, I believe that taking ones life is an individuals own choice to make, and they have a right to make that choice.

4. What defines "madness" and how does the context (culture, specific situation, etc.) affect the definition? How can a label of insanity be used as an instrument of power?
       Madness has a very broad definition that can range depending of the situation as well as the person that it is used to describe. Madness can be used to describe anything from mentally unstable to someone who does not fit into a certain norm. As the term itself is so broad, the definition changes as well to cater the situation and individual it is used to describe.
       By labeling someone insane, the individual described almost immediately is seen as weaker due to the negative connotation that is derived from the term "insane". Because of this stereotype, if one were to describe someone else as insane, they would hold the power and appear superior to their victim.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

        In the poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Samuel Taylor Coleridge uses religious allusions and descriptive imagery to elicit his message that after sin, man’s path of redemption is dependent on a higher power. 

In the poem, Coleridge evokes a powerful message about the strength of religious figures regarding mortal redemption through many theological allusions. One of the largest religious allusions was through the use of the Albatross many times within the poem. First, the albatross was a symbol of joy, positivity and a “Christian soul…hailed…in God’s name” (Coleridge 2). But after the Mariner killed the bird with his cross-bow, the Albatross became a symbol of God’s rage towards man’s blunder, becoming a message, where “instead of the cross, the Albatross about my neck was hung” (Coleridge 3). Because this allusion acts first as natures beauty and then of religious revenge out of anger for it’s death, the Albatross greatly assists in the transitioning of the story as well as a consistent force the characterizes the Mariner. Through the use of the Albatross, the reader experiences the change within the Mariner as the story progresses and suffering for his sin becomes inevitable, Coleridge emphasizes his message that sin is unforgivable to a higher power and redemption is an uphill battle. Therefore, through his use of theological allusions, Coleridge creates his ultimate message that sin as a result for wrongful actions create suffering as the path for redemption is difficult due to the influences of a higher power. 

Coleridge’s use of pictorial imagery ultimately forges his message that redemption after sin is defenseless to the wishes of a higher power. Throughout the poem, Coleridge uses vivid detail in describing every piece of the settling, characters and plot. His description with emphasizing the Mariner’s “glittering eye” first to describe the hold the old man had on the Wedding-Guest, to then construing the importance behind the eye plays an important role in developing his message (Coleridge 1). This repetitive imagery creates a sense of history to the poem, showing that sin, much like the taking of an innocent life, is necessary of punishment that can last an eternity. This use of imagery also evokes the sense of betrayal felt, highlighting the religious themes in the poem as the Albatross is betrayed by a companion, much like Jesus was by Brutus in the Christian religion. Following the use of imagery, Coleridge’s description of the ship as a sturdy vessel “with sloping masts and dipping bow” able to withstand the storm that drove the ship southward, creating a sense of honor and dignity within not only the ship, but it’s crew. By the end of the poem, this portrayal is sharply contrasted as “the ship went down like lead”, defeated by the severity of revenge and punishment from a higher power (Coleridge 8). Therefore, the use of imagery creates Coleridge’s message that the path to redemption after sin cannot be protected from the wrath of a higher power. 

Throughout the poem, Coleridge creates many messages, some religious and some not, dependent on the reader. But ultimately, the use of religious allusions and descriptive imagery elicits his message that after sin, man’s path of redemption is dependent on a higher power.

The Individual in Society - Unit Essential Questions

1. How do humans react to isolation?
     As humans, basic interaction with other members of society is a fundamental aspect of development and social construct. Beginning as a child, isolation has been a form of punishment for bad behavior resulting in groundings or time-outs. As humans grow and progress in society, isolation continues to serve as a negative enforcement to shape behavior and to hopefully mold young adults into respectable human beings. Due to all the various negative connotations connect with isolation, humans generally react in unfavorable manors when faced with solitude. Personally, if not forces into isolation, I enjoy the aspect of remoteness as I can find time for myself away from society and reflect on various aspects of life. Therefore, there is a fine line between punishment and voluntary isolation that defines the way that humans react to the lack of interaction.
2. What do individuals need in order to feel human?
     There needs to be a basic level of compassion and empathy that individuals need in order to feel human. Humanity is an aspect of life that all people misconstrued as being naturally attained, but in reality, humanity is more than being alive. Humanity is based in emotion, interaction understanding. In order to feel human, individuals must feel a sense of purpose and belonging that influence the way they view, interact and interpret the world that we inhabit.
3. What consequences do we face when we don't take responsibility for our actions?
     If people do not take responsibility for their actions, the repercussions and impact are larger than expected. Trust is the foundation that bonds humans and creates relationships. If one was not to own up to their actions, positive or negative, there would cease to be a bonding base within society, resulting in no sense of society. With regards to my own beliefs, I highly value and respect other's ability to be responsible for their own actions and decisions. When people lack this fundamental concept, I find that I lose a sense of trust and connections with that individual. This stresses the importance of honor and certainty in others.
4. How does a lack of compassion or understanding lead to prejudice or stereotyping?
    Stereotyping and prejudice are a continued aspect of discrimination in society today as a result of the lack of compassion and misunderstanding between people and groups. All people, regardless of race, religion, gender or ethnicity, are humans, made up of the same material of bones and muscles. People in the past and today create prejudice and stereotypes based off of physical characteristics and generalizations. These forms of discrimination create a general disconnection between people as a result of the lack of compassion and understanding that is imprinted on each new generation. This cycle has been continuous throughout history, and continues to evolve as new groups and individuals become victims of prejudices and stereotyping. This process not only results in a divided society, but also encourages bullying and a lack of select acceptance within new generations.

Twelfth Night - Act 4 Option Three Response

     In the play the Twelfth Night, Act 4 scene three plays an important role in developing the conflict regarding mistaken identity as well as the rising tension between the lives of Viola and Sebastian. The scene begins with a soliloquy from Sebastian where he admits his confusion and acknowledging the strange situation that he has wandered into, stating, "And though ’tis wonder that enwraps me thus, Yet ’tis not madness" (IV.iii.3-4). Similarly, Sebastian agrees to marry Olivia after she acts quickly and brings a priest with her to meet Sebastian, who she believes is Cesario. This agreement is very important in developing the play as it sets up for future disagreements and confusion. By accepting Olivia's hand in marriage, Sebastian has open the door for conflict with Viola/Cesario and the mistaken identity between them, Orsino's rage and jealousy towards Cesario, who may be either Viola or Sebastian. Finally, this scene will hold importance in the future of the play, creating a general confusion due to the Viola and Sebastian relationship. Therefore, if I were the playwright, I would include Act 4 Scene 3 as it plays a crucial role in progressing the tension and conflict that will ultimately unfold in Act 5.

Shakespeare's Gender Roles in Society Today

     In Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, Shakespeare includes various messages about society's trivial expectations of gender roles due to stereotypes portrayed through several characters. I believe that these messages should remain prevalent in society today as gender roles and stereotypes still negatively impact both males and females daily. As illustrated in the "Shakespeare Gender Swap" media clip, a woman and a man who share identical personalities and experiences, only differing in their name, are still viewed differently by members of society. Men are viewed as strong and brave while women are seen as week and shallow. Also, the clip "Happily Ever After: Perpetuating Stereotypical Gender Ideals" emphasizes the pervasive impact of gender roles that begin from a young age. It appears that children are exposed to societies gender roles through books and movies, resulting in a predisposition and early exposer to gender roles. In the play, Shakespeare comically indicates the irrelevance of gender roles through Viola's reaction to Orsino saying "there is no woman's sides can bide the beating of so strong a passion as love doth give my heart" (II.iv.103-105).Viola, as a woman masked, denies this statement by stating that she knows that woman love equally as men, with equivalent passion and emotion. Similarly, Orsino says "let thy love be younger than thyself, or thy affection cannot hold the bent" (II.iv.42-43) emphasizing the malleable nature of a woman, her emotions, and life. In my own life, I have witnessed the pervasiveness of gender roles as well as the impact they have on both men and women. There are set societal standards as to how women are over-emotional in relationships while men are the strong, often too stoic halves to the whole. Therefore, Shakespeare's messages regarding the negative impact and incorrectness of gender roles is still necessary for society to consider today as these roles still remain a force facing men and women of all ages daily.

"Diving Into the Wreck" SPOTTTS Analysis

"Diving into the Wreck"

Adrienne Rich

1973

S - The subject of this poem focuses on the importance of self acceptance and peace while breaking            free from society's expectations.

P - At the beginning of this poem, the reader familiarized to the concept that a person, not specified as a man or as a woman, is suiting up to go diving by themselves. As the power progresses, the person draws importance to little parts of their journey, like that of the ladder, emphasizing how unfamiliar and unimportant this object would be to other people who lack its usefulness and impact on a journey. Once the diver reaches the water, Rich uses imagery to portray their experience of progressing deeper into the unknown by describing the color gradient from blue, to green, to black. Similarly, the author personifies the ocean as a controlling force while dehumanizes the diver, comparing them to an insect who is complying to the demands of a larger whole, the ocean. Once the diver reaches the sunken ship, it appears that they now have a purpose, having reached the thing they came for. Also, the diver looses their ties to the human world, immersed in the world of the ocean where they recall that "I and she: I am he", exemplifying the lack of societal categorizing and gender roles (77). Comparatively, the diver seems to have reached an inner peace, finding their way and achieving their purpose, not joining a place where "names do not appear" (94).

O - Having been written in 1973, gender roles as well as societal expectations largely impacted the actions and beliefs of people during that time. Through writing this poem, Rich explores these beliefs through the divers exploration of the ship, as well as emphasizing the happiness and independence that rewards self appreciation and breaking from society and their expectations.

T - The explorative tone of the poem reveals the authors wishes for reflecting similar ideals in society, hoping that this meaning will spread and lead more people to question society. Also, due to the professional tone of the diver, it creates contrast with the mystical portrayal of the ocean, emphasizing the differences between the world and their different impacts on the diver.

T - The theme of this poem is to create importance around the subject of individualism as well as understanding between self activism and societal pressures.

T - The title, "Diving Into the Wreck" creates an explorative significance to the poem, emphasizing the beliefs of Rich, that there is a necessity for exploration of the barriers between society and individualism. Also, by having there be a wreck under the ocean, the poem's title highlights that although there is the world above ground that is full of society's beliefs, even the separate world below the sea isn't completely free from these impacts, and will always have part of societal influence, or a "wreck", within.

S - The poem is narrated by the diver who acts as an anchor between the two worlds. As the diver escapes the world of air and ventures downward into the ocean, the poem shifts as the diver enters a musical world of freedom and individual acceptance.