NRJ #1: Heart of Darkness

Closely linked to the themes of order and disorder are those of sanity and insanity. Madness, given prolonged exposure to the isolation of the wilderness, seems an inevitable extension of chaos. The atmospheric influences at the heart of the African continent—the stifling heat, the incessant drums, the whispering bush, the mysterious light—play havoc with the unadapted European mind and reduce it either to the insanity of thinking anything is allowable in such an atmosphere or, as in Kurtz's case, to literal madness. In the wilderness, he came to believe he was free to do whatever he liked, and the freedom drove him mad.

Conrad's use of metaphors and his wide generalization of human nature, especially when attempting to talk about insanity and madness are prevalent themes throughout the book. Language spoken in allegories are almost proverb like in Heart of Darkness, and I think it's one of the many reasons I enjoy the book. Very rarely will Conrad actually say what he means, and I believe that in that, he adds many layers of importance and depth to his stories. They're not as simple as a man traveling the Congo, but it's framed narrative has many literary precedents. It's one of my personal favorites, and has been a milestone for many of the famous writers, filmakers, etc. Even parts of the now infamous Apocalypse Now are based off parts of this story. It's easy to see all the acclaim it's been awarded.

DRJ #4: Hamlet Act 4 & 5

Having never read Hamlet before, I wanted to make sure I didn’t spoil any sort of ending for myself. I suppose I wanted to experience the play through the same eyes of those who saw or read the play centuries before me. I guess my final reaction to the ending is mixed with some anger, as killing off nearly everyone in the play seems not only incredibly absurd, but also a little disappointed to see a substantial amount of the characters we learn about in the play are either killed or kill themselves. But on the other side of the coin, I appreciate this piece of work on so many other levels that it’s ending seems to pale in comparison to some of the ideas, and endless ways the play can and should be interpreted.

Revenge really seems to come full circle by the time we finish scene in Act 5 with the deaths of Hamlet, Claudius, Laertes, Gertrude, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and Ophelia. While I think that killing all these characters off seems a little unnecessary to the story it also feels as if though some sort of justice has been served. I found the one act dedicated to the burial of Ophelia to be especially interesting as we are finally able to see what director the story is finally heading in.

Suicide seems to be a prevalent theme throughout the entire play, but especially come Act 4 when we hear the tragic news of Ophelia’s “accidental” death. Because suicide is a mortal sin, the gravediggers wonder whether Ophelia will receive a Christian burial. Ophelia's funeral procession is short and modest. The harsh priest says that her death was suspicious. Without her royal ties, Ophelia would have been buried in unsanctified ground.

Who else had the pleasure of reading this play for the first time? What were some of your reactions? I think it’d be more interesting for us to have your visceral response as opposed to the educated response. What were some of your gut reactions to Hamlet!

DRJ #3: Hamlet Act 3

It’s incredibly difficult to say whether or not any of the characters in this act are reminiscent of the individuals I’ve met/experienced in my lifetime. At this point in Hamlet, the characters are starting to become a little more rounded, and there motives become even more transparent. Claudius goes from being a cold-blooded killer, liar and sneak to a remorseful, upset king who wishes he could confess his crimes.
Claudius has become a very interesting personality through this play, his actions, at first seem unforgivable. But as we learn through Act 3, he’s become compunctious after murdering Hamlet’s father and wishes he could affirm his guilt but understands it might ruin his image. Claudius is Hamlet’s protagonist, but he’s also not your typical villain. He has too much heart, and feels far too poorly about what he’s done to be the full-fledged protagonist.

Irony seems to be one of the prominent themes through Hamlet, and especially in Act 3. When Claudius and Polonius believe that presenting Hamlet with a free opportunity to confess his love for Ophelia , they believe to hear what they’ve been suspecting all along. Not only does Hamlet not fall for there trap, he tells Ophelia that he, in fact, never did love her and never will. Calling her a whore, and telling her to go back to her “convent.”

Have you ever written a play of your own like Hamlet? Maybe taken experiences from your own life and paraded them in front of your friends or family. It seems writing and reading comes more naturally to some than it does others, so if you want to share your stories with the rest of the class, please do!

DRJ #2: Hamlet, Act II

Of all the Hamlet characters, unusually I find myself relating to Hamlet more than any of the other of the other characters I’ve come across in Act 1 and 2. Hamlet can be bitter, cynical, full of hatred and at times, melancholy. His character constantly contradicts himself. He seems to admire the sudden outburst of anger and passion of Fortinbras, but is nothing like that himself. Hamlet is thoughtful, reflective and philosophical, he likes to speak in metaphors and can be very devious in his behavior. I want to be clear that I do not have any wish to be violent towards others, but I understand his passions and outlook more clearly than I do some of the other characters in the play.

It seems to a primary theme all throughout Act 2 is dissimulation. Claudius begins with this thorough investigation into Hamlet’s life by summoning his two best friends to spy on him. But Hamlet is too clever for Claudius, and catches on to the King’s plan, “Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me. Come, come. Nay, speak.” But Hamlet has a plan of his own, he’s decided to put on his own play, a clever device in hopes of exacting revenge and exercising his own suspicions about the King.

Hamlet seems to be very respectful, at least in external monologues. But in thought, he seems far more deranged than he appears to be on the outside. My question is this, have any of you ever wished you had the courage to speak your mind, but instead were respectful of the people you were either interacting with or the people around you? In doing so, declined yourself from giving the answer you wished you could’ve given, be it rude, mean, etc. If so, go ahead and share.