blog 5

Remember that given circumstances refers to the WHO/WHERE/WHEN/WHAT of a character including: present circumstances (setting) recent/immediate past, historical past, possible future, relationships, character strengths, character vulnerabilities. The motivation includes the character's main goal for the scene, the overarching goal for the play, and the obstacles that are presented in the way of achieving the goal.

I play the role of Tybalt Capulet in Act 3 Scene 1. Tybalt wants to have a fight with Romeo because he thinks Romeo insults the honor of their house by sneaking into their party. He writes a letter to him offer about the battle and Romeo just doesn’t get the message. This is the background information which I should know. What is happing in our scene is that Tybalt kills Romeo’s close friend Mercutio which irritates him. Romeo revenges his friend by stabbing Tybalt to death.The fight happens in a street. We ignore the existence of Benvollio because we don’t have enough people to play the roles and we try to focus on the conflict among Mercutio, Roemo and Tybalt. Benvollio is not playing as important as these two charactter. I pick this scene because this scene is definitely a highlight in the play. It leads to the possible future different possibilities according to different readers. For example, I am worried about what will happen to Romeo and Juliet becuase Juliet has to choose from her own cousin and her just-married-husband. I also eager to know what will happen to Romeo because he may be punished by killing Mercutio and I wonder Juliet’s reaction. Some people may think they will still be together; some others may think they will break up after this event. It kinds of makes the sence more interesting. Tybalt is easy to perform because his characteristic is straight forward. His strength is his obstinate honesty to his house. His goal seems to kill Romeo. However, in my opinion, he is defending for the honor of his house. I appreciate his honesty to Cpulet Family frankly but I dislike his stubborn. He is also an arrogant person because he thinks he can beat Romeo in sword battle. He underestimates his enemy. He is killed by his arrogant. I want to show his proud of being a Capulet and scorn to the Montague. For the reason that he doesn’t achieve his goal at last, I want to show his regetful and unbelievable at the last moment. We separatethe scene into two parts. The first part I will emphasize on Tybalt’s arrogant and scorn to Mercutio. Mercutio is not a Montague though, he is neither a nobility. There is not only hostility to rival family but also the discrimination to lower classes. He is dominating at first. When Romeo involves in their argument, things have changed. His arrogance reach the peak when he humiliates Romeo and Romeo tries to make peace. I will empasize the tense atmosphere by creating serious background music, exaggerating Tybalt’s facail expression and body gestures. Just before he is defeated by Romeo, I will emphasize his desperation, unbelievable facail emption, and reget.

act idea

• Costume

Claire(Tybalt)

Blak blazer, white shirt, black suit pants

reason: Tybalt is a mean guy in the play. For audience to better recognize him, he should dress in black. He is born in noble family, so he should be in suit to show off his fame and wealth. He is going to have a battle with Romeo and he takes it seriously. That’s the reason why he is in formal kinds of suit.

Ethan( Mercutio)

Casual outfit, shorts, flip flop

reason:Though Mercutio is Romeo’s friend. He is not one of the member of the Montague. We should state the differece between social class. In addition, he is normally hanging out with friends, he doesn’t have to be in formal.

Jack(Romeo)

Fashion clothes in golden color

reason: He is dating with Juliet. He has a bunch of reason to dress himself as fancy as he can.

• prop idea

Claire(Tybalt)

arrogent, impolite, angry in scene one

a little bit of fear in scene two

Ethan(Mercutio)

Irritable, ironic

Jack(Romeo)

peaceful, reasonable in scene one

furious, uncontrolale, regretful in scene two

quiz #4

A) Act 4 is all Juliet. She considers options, defies her parents, gets advice, goes against the advice of one trusted counselor and agrees to trust a more unknown one, makes a decision, faces real fears, chooses to make sacrifices, chances death, takes an unknown potion, embarks on an adventure that risks exile or worse. Discuss her character and personality. What does this act reveal about her that we didn't know before? How has her character changed since we first met her in act one? Be specific. Also, while Juliet is going through all of this, what is Romeo doing? How are their characters contrasted by this juxtaposition? What is Shakespeare perhaps suggesting about gender in this act and how does that also contrast from how the gendered "normal" world was presented earlier in the play?

We know in Act one she makes a vow that she will never marry to anyone. However, she does fall in love with Romeo at the frist sight and forgets about the vow. In my opinion, she is an impulsive and immature teenager. Though, she is seriously in love with Romeo, she doesn’t consider the relationship between two famliy, the future of both of them, the possible flaws of Romeo and the establishment of inner communication. She plays a naive, sweet, and kind female character as always in Shakespeare’s play. However, she is quite different from Ophelia, Desdemona, and Cordelia. She is rebellious and willing to fight again the destiny which makes her remarkable. This act reveals her rebellious personality deep down her heart. It shows us the awakening recognizion of her emotion and personal feeling. She is a traditional home girl but, to our surprise, she sleeps with Romeo only three days after they have known each other. She is a sensible teenager at the first act because she has her own logic and thoughts about marriage but now she is enchanted with first-sight love and even threaten Friar Laurence with her own life which is defintely can not be discribed as a calm or reasonable act. Also, she is so sensetive because she believes in Romeo instead of her cousion who has been living with her for thirteen years. While Juliet is going through the sorrow, Because of being banished, Romeo finds Friar Laurence too for help. He promises that he will arrange their first and last night as soon as possible. Juliet is treated just like a piece of property,while Romeo is being banished even though he kills Juliet’s cousion. I think Shakepeare infers that the women’s role is not as important as men’s role during that time.In the first Act, we can feel that Juliet have little right to choose her husband. She is treated like a piece of property in this act which will call on people to focus on women’s feeling.

C) Consider the ending of the play. Is it a tragedy even though the city's natural order is restored by the ending of the feud? Were the deaths worth it?

From my point of view, I don’t think it is still a tragedy after all; instead, I consider it as the best-fit ending of the play. Even though both of Romeo and Juliet are dead, they exchange perminent existance for their love. They exchange their love for forever peace between two hostile family. Because there is no foundation for their first-sight love, it is possible for Romeo to fall in love with the other girl rapidly. Friar infers that the speed of Romeo changing girlfriends just like driving on a highway. It’s hard to explain that how can he prove that he will be responsible for Juliet forever and not break the vows. How can Romeo discovers that there are girls more beautiful than Juliet who are willing to flirt with him outside Verona? It is hard to imagine that when Juliet finds out Romeo is not flawless. He will be old and bad-tempered sometime. What will she do when she realizes that Romeo is not the Mr Right she is dreaming of? What will she do when she figures out that he is just a normal people who she thinks too positive for ? Will they understand and tolerate each other, or they can’t heal the disappointment and break up?  It’s the best for both of them to sacrisified for each other when they reach the climate of the love. As we all known, feeling and passion decrease from time to time. Their deaths worth because they are dare to fight against the rule and tradition at that time. Their love is beyond hatred. It will inspire the audience that the good will always be long-lasting. I don’t feel really sad for them, constractly, I feel glad that they are dead for each other when they are willing to devote their lives for love.

F) Choose either Romeo or Juliet and analyze their portrayal in the film. What characteristics are highlighted and how? Be specific? Is this faithful to the original play? Why or why not?

Juiet is a lady who is more than a pretty face. She has her own values; she is dedicate;she is rebellious but she is still a teenage who is not mature. Juliet is not that into Paris because she doesn’t think wealth and nobility is the first priority to marriage. Instead, she thinks love foundation and feeling is more important. She is different than other girls around her age. In my opinion, her passion is highlighted in the film. She is anxious about knowing any information about Romeo. I can remember a monologue in the film. Juliet says: “It, which refers to marriage, is like a kids owning a new clothes, but not allow to wear it.” She compares her feeling to the kids urging the wear new clothes. It is imagery and impressive. I can understand her passion to see Romeo. When she says goodbye to Romeo, she risks herself being found out by Lady Capulet to give Romeo her necklece. I notice that it is a cross. We know that Juliet is a Christian so it can represent her true love to Romeo. I feel it is quite immature for Juliet in the film because she easily believes what Romeo has said. They exchange their first kiss after Romeo says something fancy to her. It illustrates her passion to Romeo too. It is faithful to the original play but is exaggerated. Shakespeare tries to build a female character who is not a puppet of her parents and families. Deep down in her heart she has her passion, pursue and love.

1996 Romeo and Juliet

Baz Lurhmann’s film of Romeo and Juliet is a nowadays adaptation of the original. It follows the plot of Shakespeare though sets the scene at recent. The movie diractor sets the fights between Tybalt and Mercutio beside a beach. When both of them are dead, the sunny weather changes into storms which is not mentioned in Shakespeare’s version. In addition, they use mordern weapon such as guns to fight instead of swords. The movie director changes the plot too. Juliet wakes up before Romeo drinks his poision. They have the last conversation. As an audience, I can’t deny this adaptation is really appeal to pathoes.I feel more pity seeing them just miss each other. At the last two act, things go on really fast. First three part is developing slowly which create the romantic atmosphere and give the audience a sympathetic impression of chracters. Act 3 is the turning point of the movie. The audience are not prepared for the plot changing so fast. As one of the audience I feel pity for the couples, feel sad about people are dead, and feel angry about the meaningless hatred between two families. Especially when Mercutio is dying, he says it’s only a scretch. The weather starts to change. He cruses the two family including his best friend Romeo’s. I feel so shocked and angry for him. I thought it was only a scretch at first but he knows he is dying. The editor gives him a role of crown in the fim which give the audience a very positive impression of him. This is the first time and last time I see him so angry. I feel so sorry for his miserable death. I feel astonished for him drawned into uncorrelated complicate relationship between two family, I feel woeful for his youth wasted on meaningless hostility. The movie sends the message by creating a character that is favored by all audience and then let him died innocently. This will push the emtion to a upsurge which successfully create the tragic atmosphere. Mercutio’s role is more important in the film than he is in the book because it will make great commercial affect by creating a comedy role and resonate the audience’s sympathy. Also, it push the story forward and accelerate the development. Also, the movie create a very plaintive adaptation of the last scene. In the original text, they don’t have chance to see each other. However, the movie editor changes it into another ending. Romeo and Juliet are dead eventually, but in the movie, they have last conversation. The last dalogue is unforgetable. It gives the audience intense sorrow for the two character which is more cliff-hanging to the audience. The movie also create the melancholy atmosphere by using sad background music and dim light. The echo of the shot push the audience’s emotion to a climate again.

In-class writin

• Language is only one part
• Change of emotion is important 
• Examine and understand the character you are acting 

1. I don't understand that what's the connection between acting and dynamic climate.
2. The author doesn't fully explain how to conquer shyness and fear.
3. How to make language sounds not like reading ?

Analysis of Polonius’ Goal and Motivation

Polonius plays a role of a classical stubborn dad and a toady lord. He is discribed as a flatterer, arrogant,hypocritical and manipulative person.He wants his daughter to end the relationship with Hamlet because he thinks Hamlet is utilizing Ophilia. His goal is to pretend obsequious in front of the King to get attention and chance of promotion.

In Act 2 Scene 2.  In hopes of finding out what's the specific reason which drives Hamlet crazy, Claudius and Gertrude have invited two of Hamlet's childhood friends to their palece.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, promise to report back to the King and Queen with any information they can gather. Ironly, spying on children is the right thing to do around Denmark. Speaking of people who spy on their children, Polonius enters. He claims he has found the possible reason of Hamlet's madness. Polonius introduces his daughter in front of Claudius and Gertrude, sets a prayer book in her hand, and tells them she is the one who drives Hamlet crazy for love. He then does what he likes to do all the time, and hides behind a curtain. Hamlet's conversation with Ophelia disprove his mad for love theory, yet Polonius still thinks he's right.To give evidence to his points of view, he reads some love letters that Hamlet discribes about accomplishing how sexy she is. Firstly, I don’t think this action shows his love to his daughter nor does he concerns. Secondly, these letters at that time are considered unvirtuous to read. He reads the letter to the King and the Queen in front of Ophilia which assults his daugther’s dignity. At that time, people had no basic human right, and women’s role was not as equal as right now. Concepts of individual rights exists far behind that peorid. He ends their relationship by forcing Ophilia to obey him. In addition, Polonius is willing to spies for the king which also equals to get in good with Cladius. Polonius has given good advice to the King, which makes him seems like a loyal character. “This above all: to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man. (2.3.84-86)” It is ironic to talk about ‘true’ from his mouth. However, he achieves his goal by acting so considerable and loyal to the King.

Generally, the secne I’ve mentioned above has given Polonius a solid role of loyal lord. It is benefitial to get closer to the King by doing him favor. To consider in bigger picture, he also wants to manipulate his daughter and makes her to obey every one of his command.  Obviously, he reaches that one too.

Analysis of the most interesting scene from my point of view

The most interesting scene in the play is the death of Ophelia. Gertude informed her death “When down her weedy trophies and herself

Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,

And, mermaid-like awhile they bore her up,

Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds,

As one incapable of her own distress

Or like a creature native and endued

Unto that element. But long it could not be

Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,

Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay

To muddy death. (4.7.199-208)” What makes this scene so interesting is that the argument of whether Ophelia committes suiside or her madness kills herself. In my opinion, I would like to consider her death as a suiside. She is confused about people who she trusts most are all utilizing her as a tool. She feels betrayed and sad. However, the society and women’s role at that time did not allow her to mourn for love. She has to pretend that she never cares about Hamlet. Also, she cannot expresses her emotion and true feeling because she is supposed to listen to her father and brother’s advice. The utilization of metaphor here compares her drowning to mermaid. I can vividly imagine the picture which makes me feel mournful for her truly. Then scene is melancholy. The helplessness, desperation, confusion and pain of Ophelia is expressed well enough to appeal to pathos and arouse resonance.

Analysis of Monologue “To Be Or Not To Be”

Claire Wang

Ms Gaurino

IB Lit and Performance

2016/9/6

Analysis of Monologue “To Be Or Not To Be”

I agree with Benedict Cumberbatch. “To Be Or Not To Be”: original words spoken by
Hamlet, (Act 3 Scene 1 )is known as one of the most famous quotes throughout the play.The author utilizes solo monologue to empathize the personality of the It gives Hamlet this character vitality. I can know his inner activities. It makes the vague figure more realistic. By saying”to be or not to be”, Hamlet illustrates the idea of being alive or dead. In the solo monologue, Hamlet employs metaphor to compare death to a little sleep. “To die, to sleep—

No more—and by a sleep to say we end” (Act 3 Scene 1,line 63-64) He implies that to die is not as painful as the others think. He considers death as an state of tranquility. It is an special angle to view death which is a thing everybody fears. This rhetorical skill leaves broader space of consideration for the audience to chew on the monologue. It is definitely appeals to pathos that the audience will feel the same sadness and desperation as Hamlet. In addition, he refers “slings and arrows” to love. He considers love as one thousand arrows which hurts each other so much. He also feels betrayed by his own mother marrying to his own uncle after only 2 months his own father’s funeral. He is confused and does not believes love or promises any more. As an result, the solo monologue is better than conversation because it can shorten the distance of character and the audience. The audience can know that Hamlet considers morality more important than death.Though Hamlet talks about committing suicide all the time, but the thing he really concerns about is morality. “To grunt and sweat under a weary life,But that the dread of something after death,” This paragraph is so important because Hamlet mentions seriously consideration of those vague and philosophic questions about life and death, but ,what is more important than “to be or not to be”, the meaning of being alive is the most important. Hamlet draws out heartfelt pondering form the audience about morality and destiny. He does not talk about himself any longer. He forces the audience to face an shift to the tragedy happens on him to a broader consideration of general life itself. As an old saying goes “ There are one thousand Hamlet among one thousand readers.” The audience have different opinions about meaning of being alive.