Content

I always thought at this point in my life I would be extremely content. I would be content with the approaching end of my time in the mandatory public school system that has dictated my life for the past thirteen years. I would be content with my college choice. I would be content with the idea of the approaching opportunities of independence. But to be completely honest, I am far from contentedness.

My senior year in high school has been a rollercoaster of emotions and, to me, the battle that ensued has been even more difficult than the notorious junior year. As I have watched seniors in the past walk the stage and head off to what appeared to be their dream college, it seemed as if all of those individuals were overwhelmingly happy and understood how life worked. This resulted in a false assumption of what senior year is like. I was utterly disappointed upon discovering the true nature of the grueling final year.

During the last year, I have realized that a state of perfect content does not exist. The innate tendencies of humans does not allow for such. We are always searching for something more. We may achieve a goal, but greediness pushes us to yearn for more. Our longing for certain things is practically never satisfied, which translates to our never-ending state of discontent. While this sounds detrimental to our emotional being, I believe this inability to find content has prompted our society to become the amazing spectacle that it is. Without someone’s discontentedness with our mediums of communication, we would not be surfing the Internet right now. Without the discontent caused by the nuisance of darkness, we would likely not have access to the electricity that fuels our life as we know it. Discontentedness might hurt, but it is pushing you to work even harder to overcome what makes you so unhappy.

Although I honestly believe that there is no such thing as a state of perfect content, I think at this point in my life, I could be a lot less discontent. This has led me to question many of the decisions I have made, wondering if there is something that I could have possible done different. I have been harping on the past, wishing I could have been more bold, more dedicated. But during the past few weeks, I have realized that this obsession with my former decisions is not going to change my current situation. I am discontent. But rather than channeling my thoughts and energy to what has already passed, I have begun to accept that if I focus on the future, I may still be able to come closer to contentedness. There is still a way for me to achieve my goals, I may just have to take the longer route. And by doing that, I hope I will better appreciate the brief moment of content that I earn.

Commencement Speech

Everyone has something that motivates them. The possibilities of what exactly that thing is are numerous, ranging from novels, to inspirational movies, and even pages on social media, such as Facebook’s Humans of New York. For me, quotes are extremely motivational. This may seem a little unusual, but I am pretty sure I’m not the only one; when I was stayed in a girl’s dorm on a college visit back in February, I noticed that her desk was covered in sticky notes with quotes scribbled on them.

Quotes seem to offer sides of humanity that we often do not consider. We are so consumed by the statistics that news sources throw at us that we fail to understand the humanness of the individuals we unconsciously criticize who are caught up in numbers that are cherry-picked to fit a certain agenda. But quotes offer us a short clip of a person’s emotional stance on a certain issue. I have many quotes that I cherish and, like the dorm girl, I have taped at my desk. I will complete my senior blogging year with a valediction revolving around these quotes that have provided me with significant motivation.

As we prepare to pursue our future, it is inevitable that many of our decisions will be based on our financial situations. But in a letter that the world-renowned Steve Jobs possibly wrote immediately prior to his death (the letter cannot be directly tracked to Jobs, although, regardless of who wrote it, the letter is phenomenal and you should read it at: http://westvalleyurgentcare.com/steve-jobs-last-words/), Jobs reminded us “material things lost can be found. But one thing you can never find when you lose it: life.” He is warning us of the blinding nature of money. After reading this letter a few months ago, I scribbled this quote down and promised myself that I would not let money or material items play any role in my decision making as an adult. But I am not even 18 and I have already broken this promise. I have already made a certain decision because I was scared to take a chance in the face of so many financial uncertainties, and I will likely always regret that moment. While I will never be able to fully commit to this promise and money will undeniably continue to define many of my choices and many of my generation’s choices, it is imperative that we actively seek to look past material things. We must force ourselves to ponder will we still believe this is the right decision when we are dying?

Just as money acts as a temptation that directs many of our choices, social media is a distracting source that has the potential to completely destroy our individuality. One of my favorite tennis players, Victoria Azarenka, who is known for her unique and charismatic personality, addressed the effect of social media in a press conference, saying, “a huge problem with social media right now [is that] it’s just so easy to be criticized, but if you pay attention to that, you will never be great. You will just try to fit in, and I don’t want to fit in, I want to stand out.” While it is undeniable that social media has allowed us to strengthen our relationships with one another because it allows us to be more connected, social media also induces a sort of competition between us. It is easy to compare yourself to your online friends and long to have a successful Internet life. But as Azarenka suggests, this competition to look the best is destroying the aspects that are inherently unique to each of us. While it is important that we attempt to adapt to changing times, it is also important that we preserve who we are. Without individuality, our lives would be very boring and static.

In addition to living a life that pays little attention to money and social media, it is important that we do not wait around watching events we disagree with go on unchanged. Mahatma Ghandi called us to “be the change that you wish to see in the world.” We are young and our lives still hold significant potential. If there is something that is undeniably wrong that is repeatedly happening unprotested, stand up, and make the difference. Although you might fear that you as a single individual has little ability to cause a change, the smallest shift in sentiment might unleash an outpouring of support. Regardless, don’t forget Jobs and our question that we should ponder: will we still believe this is the right decision when we are dying?

Things are going to happen that you regret. Things are going to happen that you will wish you could redo. But when you get to the end, all you will be able to say is that you did everything you could to be the difference that our world needed. So be sure you can say that truthfully. Live life to the fullest, and carpe diem. Congrats, Class of 2016!

 

 

 

 

 

HYPERSHEELS lol

The English language is constantly evolving to adapt to the rapid advances in our society. New slang emerges that allows us to describe certain phenomena that have recently been developed (such as texting). Occasionally, we don’t have the perfect word to describe a certain feeling. One particular instance of this is a certain moment I would expect to be most familiar to students, however, it is likely applicable to individuals in all stages of life. I would like to propose a new word to describe the overwhelming feeling when one has so much work to do that they are so overcome with stress that his productivity levels are extremely low.

Because the idiom “spinning your wheels” suggests the result of this feeling, I think a variation of this phrase would be an adequate word to describe this feeling in English. I propose that this feeling be called “hypersheels.”

I suspect this feeling to be commonplace for students because of the mountains of schoolwork and studying that often faces them. While the franticness of the situation is often exacerbated by procrastination, the extent of the overwhelming feeling is consistent, regardless of the circumstances. For example, my class recently completed a thesis paper assignment we worked on for a good part of a semester. I suspect that many of the students experienced hypersheels while writing it.

Wassily Kandinsky’s “Yellow-Red-Blue”

 

A stereotypical teen from the 21^st century is overwhelmed by so much; yet, ironically, they often choose to do so little.

This abstract painting depicts this lifestyle. Rather than addressing one single individual’s story, I will explain how this piece of art is representative of a typical life for most of today’s young adult generation (from now on referred to as “he”).

School consumes his life. There is a constant battle between the disorganized angles of math and the confusing squiggles that compose writing and, consequently, English. Although most kids only really understand one of the two subjects, he, along with his peers, is expected to master both for the sake of a grade: a single number that practically defines who he is. Despite the calls of universities that the admission selections are holistic, it is apparent that GPA is a major factor, a factor that must be impressive. But even first place looks shabby in a country with almost 40,000 high schools. That number is ten times greater than Harvard’s undergraduate school attendance.

And then he is left with just a few brief moments of free time, with so many activities to choose from. The bright colors of LED viewing screens are staggering, overpowering the simple friendly interactions of the past generation’s, where there was only bullying, not cyber bullying. The smallest discrepancy in the name carries so much pain and so much uncertainty. The mob mentality has become significantly more prevalent because the Internet allows us to hide our faces and cover our tracks. Or he could choose to participate in a more introverted pastime. Rubik’s Cubes provide an ever-changing puzzle that has proven to be a lasting game. But he could be ridiculed for his dated and seemingly unproductive choice.

The roots of these difficulties stem from the muddled shape of our society’s moral establishment. In order to be considered a valuable asset to our society, he must define himself completely, but, in doing so, he risks offending someone in a generation where apparently the term “hip-hop” can be offensive. The combination of characteristics is endless and the fragility of the moral code is inexplicable. A perfect balance is virtually impossible.

So instead he chooses to live and let live. The meaning of this idiom could suggest that he is apathetic. However, it is a quote that will allow him to pursue his ambitions without fearing the consequences he might face. It allows him to heed Mahatma Gandhi’s advice and strive to “Be the change [he] wish[es] to see in the world.”

Creative Writing lol

You’re in a train station. A train arrives, but it’s not the one you’re waiting for. As you watch a few people come and go, you notice a strange scene in the last car of the train. Only two people are inside–a young man and an older woman. They appear to be having a very animated discussion. The young man is clutching a large box to his chest. The woman is wearing a bizarre hat and holding a large map, which she continues to turn this way and that.

I decide to forget about my visit to Grandma’s and I jump on the train with two individuals. The train immediately takes off. I slowly made my way to the car with the man and woman on it. They appear to be arguing unabashedly and as I slide the door to the car open, the young man rips the strange hat off of the woman. She grabs for it, but her small stature prevents her from effectively retrieving the article of clothing that honestly appeared to be a joke. However, judging from her reaction, it was definitely not. The man taunted her with it and tossed it to his buddy at the back of the car. She feebly made her way to the back unconsciously dropping her map as she got caught in an evil game of monkey in the middle. I bent down and grabbed the oversized map and sat at the front of the car. I was shocked to see a distinct resemblance between this map and Marauder’s Map. And then it hit me. The odd hat atop her head was none less than the Sorting Hat! I scrambled for my phone to take a picture to send to my friends.

I can’t really describe what happened next. It was basically like time froze. The hat hung in midair between the two men and the lady whirled to face me, all traces of her physical feebleness gone. She morphed into a troll and ran at me. I scrambled out of my seat and fumbled to the car door. I ran out and slammed it shut, just as the troll got to the doorway. The troll’s slobbery face mashed up against the window, drool distorting my view into the car. I looked down at the crumpled map in my hand, desperately trying to recall the specifics of its functions. “I… I… I am bad!” I scream. The map stays blank. “I… I hate school!” Nothing.

I peer through the runs of slobber to see the two men huddled at the back of the car with utter fear pasted across their faces. “Help me!” Their mouths seemed to say. I looked straight into the eyes of the troll, thankful it was extremely dumb and had no concept of the mechanics. The troll banged its fist against the window, causing a collection of cracks to spread.

I closed my eyes. This day could not get any more disturbing. Who’s to say I couldn’t apparate?

My eyes fly open. As I watch the troll continually hit the window in an attempt to get through it to me, I frantically decided apparition was worth a try. That or probably death. I close my eyes again and concentrate on the train station I had been at just a few moments earlier. The people who had been around me. The smells. The sign above me that read 9 ¾.

The screeching of the troll stopped. At first I thought the man might have had a deadly weapon in the large box he was struggling to open. He did seem a little bit sketch, as he was dressed completely in black and was obviously unkempt. I slowly opened one eye, and was baffled to see what resembled a ceiling fan spinning. I opened my other eye and found myself laying on the comfortable guest bed at my grandma’s house. In reality, I hadn’t aborted my trip to visit her. I was already there. I was merely having a nightmare. But, honestly, who could call a life where the wizarding world existed a total nightmare? 😉

 

 

COMMENTS!!!

This week I commented on a few of my peers’ blog posts! The links to their blogs are below:

https://apoolofkys.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/foils/comment-page-1/#comment-28

This blogger addressed the importance of the character foils between Hamlet and Fortinbras and Hamlet and Ophelia.

https://earthtoellenphants.wordpress.com/2016/02/17/artistically-hamlet/comment-page-1/#comment-52

This blogger wrote about a painting called Hamlet that depicted the scene where Gertrude watches Hamlet as he has a conversation with a supposed ghost.

https://thesonderingmind.wordpress.com/2016/03/06/number-1a/#comments

This blogger wrote about Jackson Pollock’s painting and its ability to deliver a variety of meanings to its different audiences.

AP Lit Question #1 2008

The Prompt:

In the two poems below, Keats and Longfellow reflect on similar concerns. Read the poems carefully. Then write an essay in which you compare and contrast the two poems, analyzing the poetic techniques each writer uses to explore his particular situation.

Poem 1:

“When I Have Fears”

-John Keats (1818)

When I have fears that I may cease to be

Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,

Before high-pilèd books, in charactery,

Hold like rich garners the full ripened grain;

When I behold, upon the night’s starred face,

Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,

And think that I may never live to trace

Their shadows with the magic hand of chance;

And when I feel, fair creature of an hour,

That I shall never look upon thee more,

Never have relish in the faery power

Of unreflecting love—then on the shore

Of the wide world I stand alone, and think

Till love and fame to nothingness do sink.

Poem 2:

“Mezzo Cammin*”

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1842)

Half of my life is gone, and I have let

The years slip from me and have not fulfilled

The aspiration of my youth, to build

Some tower of song with lofty parapet.

Not indolence, nor pleasure, nor the fret

Of restless passions that would not be stilled,

But sorrow, and a care that almost killed,

Kept me from what I may accomplish yet;

Though, half-way up the hill, I see the Past

Lying beneath me with its sounds and sights,—

A city in the twilight dim and vast,

With smoking roofs, soft bells, and gleaming lights,—

And hear above me on the autumnal blast

The cataract** of Death far thundering from the heights.

*from the first line of Dante’s Divine Comedy: “Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita” (“Midway upon the journey of our life”).

**A large waterfall

Here is my prewriting for the 2008 AP Literature Question #1: (SIDE NOTE: My outline looked much prettier on MS Word, but I couldn’t figure out how to work the indentations on this site 😦 )

Big Question: What are the similar concerns addressed in the two poems?

Both poems reminisce on the writers’ unfulfilling past and their inability to achieve their aspirations before their looming death. However, the overall tones of the poems seem to be slightly different. Keat’s poem suggests that he fears he may not make the lasting impact on the boundless world he had initially hoped to, but he ultimately concludes that his goals are very small relative to the rest of the world and provides consolation upon identifying the amazing mysteries of the world and the power they provide over us. Longfellow’s poem reveals more of a sense of regret as he recounts all of the opportunities he has traded for a safe yet simple life and looks into the coming prospect of death. Although the poems seem to reflect similar ideas, Keat’s poem ultimately emanates a more hopeful tone while Longfellow’s poem is full of despair.

Thesis Statement: In both poems, the writers present similar ideas and reminisce on their unfulfilling past and their inability to achieve their aspirations before their looming deaths; however, the difference in the writers’ tones proves to alter the ultimate message of each poem.

Paragraph 1:

-Topic Sentence: The similar ideas in both poems are evoked by similarities in the writer’s style.

1. Both poets use imagery to conjure images of their discontent with their past.

a. Quote from Keat’s poem: “When I have fears that I may cease to be/ Before my pen has glean’d my teaming brain,/ Before high-piled books, in character,/ Hold like rich garners the full ripen’d grain”

b. Quote from Longfellow’s poem: “have not fulfilled/ the aspirations of my youth, to build/ some tower of song with lofty parapet.”

2. Both poems use the same point of view, first person, which makes the presentation of the same idea quite noticeable.

Paragraph 2:

-Topic Sentence: The difference in the tones of the poems is delivered through the subtle differences in the structure of the poem.

1. The different tones are initially established through the different format of the poems.

a. Keat’s poem is a Shakespearean sonnet with a reliable rhyme scheme.

b. Longfellow’s poem is a Petrarchan sonnet with a less common rhyme scheme.

2. The contrasting use of personification leads to vast differences in the tones of the poems.

a. Keat’s poem personifies aspects of the world: “the night’s starr’d face,/ Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,/ And think that I may never live to trace/ Their shadows, with the magic hand of chance”

b. Longfellow’s poem personifies more ghastly things: “I see the Past/ Lying beneath me with its sounds and sights” and “The cataract of Death far thundering from the heights”

Women in Hamlet

Shakespeare often uses female characters to make subtle (or not-so-subtle) assertions about the roles assigned to women in their society and the ways  in which they are treated. What does Shakespeare say about women through Gertrude and Ophelia?

Shakespeare tackles many large and daunting ideas in his famous play “Hamlet.” I found one in particular that really fascinated me, as it is relatively subtle when compared to the majority of the messages in the play. However, the role of women in society and its reoccurring appearance throughout many of Shakespeare’s tragedies reflects the topic’s weighty importance. While the gender inequalities during Shakespeare’s life were definitely more striking when compared to this generation’s, there is still relevance in this topic that can provide insightful details on many of the motives that drive gender roles in today’s society.

To begin, I will address the notable characteristics of the main women in “Hamlet,” Gertrude and Ophelia. Their exact role in the play is not distinctly revealed, as we cannot distinguish their exact purpose as we can for the men (Hamlet is trying to get revenge, Claudius is trying to gain power, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern serve at Claudius’s pleasure and watch after Hamlet). This lack of establishment in the roles of the females in the play often prompts us to gloss over the two characters in pursuit of the messages that the more-developed men have to offer. However the ambiguity of the women’s roles is essential to the message and results because of their submissiveness to men. Both Gertrude and Ophelia repeatedly exude an awful sense of obedience and weakness towards their male counterparts, ultimately preventing them from establishing a developed role in their society.

This idea is kindled by the relationships that these women have with other men in the play. Gertrude’s relationship with Claudius is quite puzzling and I was utterly surprised when Claudius stated “Therefore our sometime sister, now our Queen” and proceeded to take Gertrude as his wife following the death of King Hamlet (I.ii.8). Although this act of marriage was not uncommon for royalty during this time period, it is the endless list of possible motives that might have prompted the hastiness of this marriage that draws my interest. The marriage is likely just Claudius trying to gain power. However, there may have been a greater backstory. Maybe Gertrude and Claudius were having an affair before the death. Maybe it was actually Gertrude who wanted to keep the power, but could not do so unless she accepted another man’s hand in marriage. But all of these possibilities would make Claudius look weak, so they are suppressed and hidden from the public’s view, which instead makes Gertrude look weak and submissive. She is merely a pawn that Claudius is using for his own gain. She barely gets to grieve before she is quickly married again so Claudius can fill the King’s powerful position. Ophelia emanates a similar submissive nature that is evident through her relationship with he father, Polonius. She obediently cuts her ties with Hamlet when her father urges Ophelia to “not believe [Hamlet’s] vows for they are brokers” and asks his daughter to not “give word of talk with Lord Hamlet” (I.iii.134). While this may not suggest that Ophelia is weak or submissive, as it is appropriate to honor one’s parents and their requests, Ophelia continues to act as her father’s pawn, just as Gertrude did for Claudius, when she agrees to confront Hamlet so Polonius and Claudius can observe “If’t be th’ affliction of [Hamlet’s] love or no that he suffers for” (III.i.36-37). Ophelia does not act in her own self-interest and does not actively seek to make the life that she wants for herself; she relies on her father to control her every move and construct her life.

This idea brings us to the tragic deaths of these two women. I will start with Ophelia, since that is where we left off. Following her father’s death, Ophelia fell into a crazy state and aimlessly sang as she wandered through the castle. She later drowned and was reported to have been surrounded by “crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples” in that moment (IV.iiv.169). It is unclear whether her death was a suicide. Her burial was quietly done in the Catholic Church because of the uncertain nature of her death. However, it does not matter how she died but that she suffered from a crazy state following the murder of her father. Shakespeare is highlighting the undeniable dependence that she had on her father and is suggesting that women are often too dependent on men. This idea is further developed through Gertrude’s death, which is even more surprising, as the motives are hard to identify. The play can be read to suggest that Gertrude’s death was merely a mistake. It can also be read as an act of defiance towards Claudius and it can even be read to suggest that it was an intentional suicide as her only remarks when Claudius tells her not to drink the wine is “I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me” (V.ii.292). Regardless of what actually caused Gertrude’s death, every possibility results from the actions of Claudius, again revealing the submissive nature of Gertrude to the new king (even if her death was a suicide, as she ultimately would have believed that her best option was death). Claudius’s overwhelming control of Gertrude’s life ultimately leads to her death, whether it was an accident or it was purposeful and furthers the idea of women’s submissive nature towards men.

Before I go on to conclude my analysis regarding Shakespeare’s message on women and gender inequalities, I would like to note that I am not a raving feminist. I believe that there are slightly different roles in society for both genders. Women are often the emotional stability in a family and men are the primary financial sustainers for a household. However, Shakespeare’s presentation is interesting, and provides an important point. It suggests that it is up to a woman to establish a lifestyle that offers them enough independence to keep them from relying on a man figure to sustain her in every way and to micromanage every aspect of her life. This is an important idea that led to the gender revolution and the integration of many measures that ensured equal opportunities for both male and female and it is an idea that continues to spark debates regarding gender issues in economics, politics, and religious lifestyles.

 

Number 1A

This painting, created by Jackson Polluck, reminds me of a time my siblings and I thought it would be fun to create a splatter paint picture. Upon first glance, it looks like the kitchen my mom walked into after a long day at work. One can only begin to imagine the lecture that followed.

However, after looking at it more intently, I noticed that this piece is such a frustratingly beautiful work of art. Frustrating in the sense that it seems to be so incomplete. To me, it is as if there should be a cohesive image, but the majority of it was scratched out. Ultimately, this is where the beauty comes in. The incomplete feeling created by the piece allows us to interpret the piece ourselves. You see a horse? Cool. I see a flower. And the size of the piece makes it all the more captivatingly amazing.

I found the most notable part of the piece to be the reddish-orange splotches throughout. They are the most dominant color (other than white and black). Although there is actually very little color overall, the piece is so detailed that this lack of color is barely noticeable among the busy nature of the rest of the painting.

After responding with our initial reactions, we were asked to read this poem about the painting, which is titled “Number 1 by Jackson Pollock (1948)” and was written by Nancy Sullivan:

No name but a number.

Trickles and valleys of paint

Devise this maze

Into a game of Monopoly

Without any bank. Into

A linoleum on the floor

In a dream. Into

Murals inside of the mind.

No similes here. Nothing

But paint. Such purity

Taxes the poem that speaks

Still of something in a place

Or at a time.

How to realize his question

Let alone his answer?

Ok, so. After reading this poem about the piece we are supposed to comment on the intent of the poem. The poet’s view on the painting seems similar to what I had taken away from the image. “No name but a number,” she writes, expressing her frustration and befuddlement at the ultimate message of the piece. She goes on to list a number of things that could be regarded as possible ideas for what the painting might represent. However, she goes on to say that “such purity/ taxes the poem that speaks,” hinting that it is not up to her to make the final decision on the message of the piece. Individual viewers should decide what the ultimate idea is on their own. People’s personal situation will alter how they determine this, allowing the artist to make a statement on a more personal level.

Hamlet in the Queen’s Chamber

This is Hamlet in the Queen’s Chamber, which is oil on canvas and was created by William Salter Herrick in 1857.

This painting resembles the scene at the end of Act 3, when the Ghost appears while Hamlet is visiting Gertrude in her room. Here is the section of the play that describes the image:

Hamlet, III. iv. 102-137

HAMLET A king of shreds and patches,– [Enter Ghost] Save me, and hover o’er me with your wings, You heavenly guards! What would your gracious figure? QUEEN GERTRUDE Alas, he’s mad! HAMLET Do you not come your tardy son to chide, That, lapsed in time and passion, lets go by The important acting of your dread command? O, say! GHOST Do not forget: this visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose. But, look, amazement on thy mother sits: O, step between her and her fighting soul: Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works: Speak to her, Hamlet. HAMLET How is it with you, lady? QUEEN GERTRUDE Alas, how is’t with you, That you do bend your eye on vacancy And with the incorporal air do hold discourse? Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep; And, as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm, Your bedded hair, like life in excrements, Starts up, and stands on end. O gentle son, Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper Sprinkle cool patience. Whereon do you look? HAMLET On him, on him! Look you, how pale he glares! His form and cause conjoin’d, preaching to stones, Would make them capable. Do not look upon me; Lest with this piteous action you convert My stern effects: then what I have to do Will want true colour; tears perchance for blood. QUEEN GERTRUDE To whom do you speak this? HAMLET Do you see nothing there? QUEEN GERTRUDE Nothing at all; yet all that is I see. HAMLET Nor did you nothing hear? QUEEN GERTRUDE No, nothing but ourselves. HAMLET Why, look you there! look, how it steals away! My father, in his habit as he lived! Look, where he goes, even now, out at the portal! [Exit Ghost]

 

This painting seems to be an accurate depiction of this scene, as the artist obviously paid careful attention to details from the entire scene. For example, Polonius lies dead in the back, his body partly concealed by the tapestry that he was hiding behind before Hamlet stabbed him. Also, the Ghost is faintly painted on in a manner that requires one to look hard for the character whose existence is questionable, as only Hamlet can see and communicate with it and Gertrude is completely oblivious to the ghost of her former husband. Furthermore, the details that can be identified of the ghost closely resemble a figure of kingly stature, as the ghost appears to be wearing long robes and a crown. This helps mark the Ghost as the late King Hamlet.

My favorite part of this piece is definitely Gertrude’s expression, which reveals her baffled and horrified state that she is in as she observes Hamlet’s crazed interaction with what he claims is a ghost. The face that she is making is a face that many kids see their parents make often when they are utterly shocked by something their child has done. It is a look that transcends time and probably brings a little bit of amusement to most viewers.

I also find it interesting that there is a crucifix that sits on the table that Gertrude is at. I cannot decide what it symbolizes, but I imagine that it is meant to imply something, because it gold color stands out against the dark background ands it is carefully detailed among some of the more simple structures present in the painting.