Drama Exam.

Question 1
The tone of voice and the words spoken from Hamlet create the story. Without his agony, thoughts, and understanding this story would mean much less of what it is. Hamlet starts out as a man who desires revenge upon his father’s death. His own uncle murdered him and married his mother. This repulsive action brought fury to Hamlet, but he did not know how to act upon such a thing. He was very hesitant at first. He began to act strange and contemplate what to do. It was found that he needed something to push him to do this action of vengeance. His father’s ghost came to speak with him, and this brought him to the full realization that revenge was needed. The ghost spoke of how he needed such because of many reasons. One of these being, he had not received redemption as he deserved. Hamlet portrays his feelings on these things through the soliloquies he spoke. One of the most memorable was when Hamlet questioned “to be or not to be”. Hamlet felt as if he could not take it anymore. The emotions inside were building at an unbearable rate, suicide seemed a way out. Hamlet spoke out of such despair. He could not stand all of the things around him. Once Hamlet saw what this was doing to him and all of its effects on himself and his father he decided to take action. A play was formed as an explanation through performance to bring about the guilt. This plan was one that granted his understanding that his uncle did kill his father. The play showed almost an exact replica of how Hamlet’s father was killed. His uncle was completely convicted through this. He stopped everything in the middle of the play and left. If this was not proof enough, Hamlet saw through many other acts against him that did. His uncle, Claudius, tried so hard for him to leave, but through each thing Hamlet was still there one way or another. His ways were found threatening, and with those things in life that appear that way we do away with. No one wants to be uncovered or convicted. This feeling is awful beyond all else. It is like a teenager who will not admit that their parents were right. Claudius did not want to admit it. Worst of all, he did not want to give up what he now had either. Hamlet was driven crazy over the things he found. He ruined all relationships that meant anything to him. One in particular, Ophelia went mad at the way Hamlet treated her. Hamlet did not tell her the reasons for his acting strange. He encountered her on separate occasions, and his ways seemed directed towards Ophelia in her view. She did not know how to treat herself or even act anymore. Once her father was killed it began the last straw. She supposedly fell into the water, but it is easily inferred that she committed suicide. This was just one relationship that Hamlet’s actions and words affected. Through all of these actions many around him thought he had been driven completely and utterly mad. Hamlet was reacting to all of these things other knew not of. His actions would seem crazy because of this. Another thing that is often overlooked is how whenever Hamlet tries to tell another something they shut him out. They feel as if there is no way what he speaks is true because what they say is true. Towards the end you find that Hamlet is about to accomplish the goal set for vengeance on Claudius. As it unfolds and deaths occur, we see that the people start to see the reasons for Hamlet’s actions. It should make them wonder if this situation would have been different if the ending would have changed. It makes you question whether you would have changed views if you had listened to the way Hamlet said things and why he said them.
Question 2
John Wright’s wife appeared to have murdered him out of anger. She was mentally gone. It seemed John had taken out of her everything that had worth. She had been pushed and pushed, and her limit had been met. She kept a secret bird to hold the position of the last thread of happiness she had. John killed that bird, and the next thing we knew he was dead along with it. Through that action he took what was left of her. This makes the question of how could one think that this was okay. If you truly think about it though, you see that out of all the actions forced upon her it was the only thing she could do. The abuse laid upon her drove her to insanity. It was a necessity in her position to get rid of him. Many cases are found where this is true. The only ways of justifying your actions would be to say that it was out of self defense or plead insanity. In this, no action evidence can be found therefore, defense would not be easily taken. With the evidence found by the women in this story it is, however, easily seen that she had met insanity. The situation this woman was in gives us a different view of if it was right or not. Obviously she murdered her husband, but she did it because he drove her to do it. Can this mean that he brought it upon himself? That is for you to conclude. We see several different instances that provide a justification for a case. This is whether it is out of insanity, self defense, or any other point. You see that your view may change with the story. If you came right out with the exact facts that were found in the Wright’s story you would say that she was completely at fault and should be done away with. This does make you question though, did she have a reason that you would find okay? In my opinion, she is guilty and should be imprisoned unless insanity is pled. Just in my own opinion you view how there is always an “unless”. You can conclude from this that out of each situation the way you see things are different. Every thought is found dependent on the background information. This is true of “Trifles” and many other stories.

Video Interpretations.

Each of these videos brings emphasis to several different things. Using the different views from the person who created them you can see differences. In Oedipus the King Part 10/12, emphasis is brought to the fact that he is blind. This appears to have psychologically impaired him. Oedipus is not only literally blind, but figuratively too. He could not see that he actually did kill his father and marry his mother as the prophecy was proclaimed. He was ignorant in seeing the truth. Now he hides his face in attempts to keep it from the people. Another thing that stands out when he hides his face is that he is wearing white. His white clothing that was once pure as a king would be thought of, but is now stained in blood. Two red blood spots have bled through his sleeve as to show that hiding is not an option for him now.

The despair and agony that Oedipus is going through is also portrayed as significant. Oedipus is moaning because of the pain and shame he now feels. The gods’ power was what determined this pain. Due to their proclamation of the prophecy, and the fact that they are gods and not wrong meant that it was to happen no matter what. Nothing could bring a way around it as Oedipus had hoped. The tone of his voice declares the true feeling he has about what happened. He is angry at himself because he was the one who brought this on. Oedipus even hits his chest when he is referring to himself to show this. Also, he reaches out as if to demonstrate that he needs something to hold on to. Literally he may need something to hold on to because he is blind, but it also appears to mean that he needs someone to hold on to through this time. He does not know what will happen to him yet. He has some hope that Kreon will now put him into exile instead of just kill him.

In the other Oedipus video called, “Oedipus the King” starring Christopher Plummer part 12 of 14, an importance appears to be attached to the sadness of the people and Oedipus because of his actions. Oedipus is seen with scratched out eyes because the prophecy was fulfilled, and he could not bear to see his own face. His mother and wife, children, and he are now punished for his actions. He thinks that he deserves nothing more than to have died when he was supposed to as a child. A few of the people, seen to be as in the chorus, turn away. They look away from Oedipus, whether it is sadness or pain as the reason when he comes out of the palace. Also, once he comes out he is seemingly forced to come out away from the shadows. This may be symbolic as to Oedipus having to come out away from the past of what had occurred. It was when the sunlight hit him that it appeared that what had actually happened came to light.

Also, when the chorus surrounds Oedipus they put their staffs out. It was like they did not want to have Oedipus touch them. He had to keep his distance like he is trapped inside a gate. This gate is one that keeps him from the so- called normal people he had once been with. This, in a way, belittles him. He is the same person he was, but now they know a little more about him. That part of the video depicts this which is somewhat different in respects to the other video.

The chorus appears much differently by the different views. The chorus in the first video seemed to have nothing to do with Oedipus while the chorus in the second seemed to push him away. He was like a plague to them instead of just a sad soul. The first chorus talks of his insanity and how such a thing could happen. In the second they turned away from Oedipus in a way that showed their sadness instead of just reality speaking through them. They were as people would normally act. Also, the way Oedipus is fully depicted shows this. In Oedipus the King starring Christopher Plummer you see a man who looks to be much like a normal person rather than in the other Oedipus is seen dripping in blood, down on his knees pleading.

In Hamlet Act3, Scene1 Soliloquy we see that Hamlet is questioning whether he is “to be or not to be”. He is psychologically distraught pondering back and forth between the possibilities. While speaking you notice that he is wearing black in a room with mirrors all surrounding. This seems to intensify that Hamlet cannot escape. Where ever he turns his father’s death will always haunt him until he seeks revenge. He feels heartache from this. His father had no redemption and now must seek the consequences in the afterlife. Due to all of this, Hamlet questions whether he should commit suicide. He speaks of sleep you do not wake from that will take you away from such misery. When he pulls out a knife a picture of his father comes to mind. It is as if thoughts of his father would sway his decision one way or another. The tone of his voice represents his feelings of sadness and hatred, and the way that he is shown emphasizes this.

The interpretation of Fodor’s Hamlet depicts many different aspects that occur through thoughts such as what Hamlet experienced with suicide. In the beginning a tape recorder is used to seemingly preserve his words. The words spoken will not be heard again just as his life will not be lived again. Also, it indicates the differences in the views of people. The man’s eyes are brought to your attention. They wander showing despair and a sense of being lost. He pauses before he speaks as with the purpose of gathering his thoughts. It looks like he does not want to admit his thoughts about death, and when death is mentioned it is like an affirmation to him. Death is something that seems so far off until you really consider it. You see the people in this video showed to be just as any other normal person. It makes you consider yourself to be in the position of that man. Each of them go by and kiss the dead body appearing to be a sign of farewell that cannot be taken back. In the end one very important action is made. This is when the girl goes to kiss the body, but it turns out to be the body of the man that has been speaking his thoughts. There is only one thing different. He opens his eyes as if awakening from a sleep. The creator brought this to light in a way that makes it known that you have a choice. This man’s realization stopped him from the drastic measures that could have been taken.

These two interpretations of the thoughts Hamlet had of suicide depict clearly the differences a mind can have. Each person has their own thoughts. In the first video it is mainly based on what Hamlet was really thinking. It showed Hamlet torn between the catacombs of his mind. He wanted to let go of the heartache, but first he must seek revenge. In Fodor’s we see it as a key into our minds as individuals. The way it showed each person being different made you feel a part of it. It makes you clearly understand what goes through the mind of an individual who has been put through so much. Also, the mirrors show that Hamlet cannot pretend for himself. He is thinking what he is and must get it off his chest. There is no secret as to what he wishes to happen. With the tape recorder though, you see how this anonymous man hesitates in proclaiming the thoughts he has afraid to declare it to himself and others.

Trifles

Summary: Trifles

The story is introduced as being in the midst of a crime scene. The county attorney, Sheriff, Mr. and Mrs. Hale, and Mrs. Peters (the Sheriff’s wife) are at the house of John Wright. It is now abandoned and extremely cold due to no heat running as of this time. They have the oven going to stay warm while they are there investigating. The county attorney and sheriff are in search of some motive as to who killed John Wright. He was hung supposedly in his sleep without his wife even realizing. Mr. Hale was going to John’s house to ask him if he wanted a telephone the night of his death. He knocked at the door and thought he heard someone say come in, but was not sure. He went in and saw John’s wife in the rocking chair sort of pleating her apron in a weird way. She seemed to pay little attention to him and cared not that he was there. Mr. Hale questioned her as to where John was. She informed him that he was dead from a rope that was put around his neck. It was very strange to see the way she was acting. Her husband is dead and she is sitting in a rocking chair petting her apron. She appeared to be in a state of shock; otherwise she did it and did not know what to do next. The men conversed about this and looked around for any signs that she or another murdered him. They criticized her cleanliness and style in the house. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale did not approve of that act. It was like she was supposed to have cleaned the house before they took her away. The men went upstairs to look around for more evidence while the women stayed down. They sought to find a few things of John’s wife’s to give to her. They found that some jarred fruit of hers had been frozen as she was afraid might happen. A cherry one was found, though. When she was taken from the home there were a couple things that came to mind that she spoke of. She was worried about this fruit, for instance. The women thought that she did not kill him if she was worried of such things as fruit. Another thing they found was a quilt. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale saw that a part was sewn badly. This wouldn’t have been a big deal if the rest had not been close to perfect. It was as if she was nervous when she sewed it. When the men heard them talking they overheard that they wondered if she was going to finish it with knots or not. They laughed at this since it appeared to be such a stupid remark. The men went back to their work as did the women. A bird cage was found in the cupboard and they brought it out to look at it. Neither of them thought that John would have liked to have a bird, but his wife would. Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale saw that the door seemed to have been torn open with force. Like an act of anger. They wondered where the bird had gone. Along with this they still gathered the things to bring to her. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to bring the quilt to her. They looked for some sewing things and found a red box, but when they opened it a dead bird was found hung at the neck. It was a startling sight and it was said to have been John that did this. Maybe the death of John should be linked to this, but when the men came down the stairs they did not say a word about it. Almost in a guilty way the words of the Sheriff were said to Mrs. Peters. The county attorney asked if they should check what the Mrs. Peters had found to bring to John’s wife, but the Sheriff said that he trusted her. She was practically “married to the law” and would do nothing wrong. Then the men decided to check the windows, but before they Mrs. Hale walked out she grabbed the red box with the bird inside and shoved it in her pocket. The county attorney asked if they had found if they were going to quilt it or the other thing they called it. With a meaning they would never know Mrs. Hale said that they called it knot it.

Full Response:

This story was twisted in many different ways that I had not expected to happen. From the beginning there was a hint that struck me as John’s wife had killed him, but it was thrown in different ways that made me question what really did happen. The structure helped this on its way. I was drawn in by the way it started with a story of what happened with Mr. Hale. When he found Mrs. Wright she was sitting in a rocking chair rocking back and forth in a nervous way. Mr. Hale soon found that her husband was dead by a rope around his neck. It made me question what really happened to him and if it was Mrs. Wright that had killed him. Through the way the men speak of trying to find a motive I came to the conclusion that I too believed she did it.

When it went to the women’s point of views being played out I still had this thought, but was eager to see what they would find. As they stumble upon thing after thing I found that in my opinion Mrs. Hale was a superstitious person. She was always drawing her own conclusions to the case and creating more questions to further her knowledge as to who committed the crime. Mrs. Peters was there to assist in this, but I also saw her as too nervous to seek anything out like Mrs. Hale did. When they would find something worth questioning Mrs. Peters would continually have a guilty feeling, and she would carefully try not to get too into the case for the fear of what would happen.

Also, I questioned what had brought this act on. This is again the question of what would make a person do such a thing. No truthfully clear answer can be found in such a thing besides psychological happenings. A person’s past has a lot to do with this in my opinion. Much of what someone goes through carries over to what they are like later on in life. It made me wonder if the way Mrs. Wright acted was due to her experiences with John. Maybe she was glad he was dead if he had tormented her with things especially the bird.

Another thing that I noticed was that when the men in this story were talking to Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale they did so in a way that belittled them. It was as if they didn't deserve the same respect as men. They would laugh at them when they mentioned the quilt, but really in the end it had significance. The women were actually the ones who found missing links to the case. In my opinion, I think that this is just a little proof that men should start letting women have a little more say in things.