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AP Literature and Composition
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Blog #26 -- Drama Project
Poster:
Synopsis:
Prep work:
Tone Shift Chart Scene 1:
Tone shift Chart Scene 2:
Tone Shift Chart Scene 3:
Story Boards:
Script:
Works Cited:
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Blog #22 -- Hamlet Act #3: Mis en Scene Analysis
Close Reading w/ answers on Paper:
Embedded video of scene with best use of mis en scene components:
Embedded video of scene with best use of mis en scene components:
While I do believe that this version of the soliloquy was a lot more literal and could have taken a subtler approach to addressing the issues of life and death, I also believe that it did a very good job expressing what it believed. The video used camera angles as it approached Hamlet's head when he was thinking and drew the audience closer into his mind. They it overlay his mind with the image of a turbulent sea showing his mind contemplating so much and going back and forth between the dilemma of whether "to be, or not to be". The sounds involved int he video mainly utilized music and the natural sounds of the sea. The build up of music, especially in the beginning, created the effect that something important was coming and the thoughts were not very quiet or steady but rather loud, rambunctious, and inconsistent. Both the music and the sounds of the waves expressed the state of Hamlet's mind as he contemplates the issue. The actions were also very important in this video. Olivier decides to speak in some places and then to only think in others. This shows a contrast between the two sections and allows for that tone shift to take place. He also pulls out his dagger at "by opposing end them" which is slightly ironic because he is to tackle the sea of troubles with simply a dagger. However, he ends up dropping the dagger into the sea. This shows how Hamlet has resolved the issue of whether "to be, or not to be". It shows that ultimately, the conscious mind will lead to inaction which is what is the result of his dagger not being able to act against the sea. Lastly, the end uses mis en scene components by taking a medium-shot of Hamlet as he walks away while looking around at his surroundings. By walking away from where he was, he is once again highlighting the aspect of inaction, but by finally taking a medium shot that is not seen anywhere else in this version of the soliloquy, this video argues that the environment will effect his decision and that ultimately he does not have that full control over his actions because he does have a conscious.
Next best videos:
I think Kenneth Branagh's version of Hamlet utilized the mis en scene components the second best of the three videos watched. I liked the fact that this video was much more subtle with the mis en scene components. With the camera angles, it used the idea of zeroing in on the reflection of Hamlet in the mirror. The camera angle in the beginning allowed the audience to see both sides of the debate as Hamlet goes back and forth while contemplating the issue. However, it ends up zeroing in on the mirror, on one side, as he comes to a resolution near the end. The actions are also very subtle but with the use of the walking, symbolizing him walking to his answer, and the use of the dagger, to help him act out the parts where he might want to take his own life in contrast to where he would not take any action at all, all helped create the mis en scene components. I personally did not think that the Ethan Hawke version did the best job of using mis en scene components. there are definitely aspects that did fit the tone of the piece. Some examples of this would be using the action aisle, using a violent clip of an action movie, and having Hamlet talk in some places and not talk in others. However, I felt there was little contrast between the different tone shifts, especially because there was little to no change in his expression and while the camera angles did change, it did not seem to explore his thoughts beyond the angles watching Hamlet explore the extent of the video store.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Blog #21 -- Hamlet Act 2: Revenge and Espionage
Hamlet comments on The Bourne Legacy:
"Will you give yourself to this program?"
"Yes."
In The Bourne Legacy, Aaron Cross is an agent of a secretive program called Treadstone. He realizes that the people running the program are corrupt and are trying to kill all of the agents of the special programs created, including the one that Jason Bourne was once a part of. Aaron Cross uses his skills to try and avenge the many lives lost, save himself, all the while avoiding being caught by the continuous agents looking for him.
Aaron Cross, much like myself, was made to believe that the program that he would take part of was safe and honest.
Rather, it was rotten.
I can understand the frustration and anger that Cross faces as he realizes that there is close to nobody he can trust. It can be understood that those whom you do not trust, mere acquaintances, will use a "bait of falsehood...and indirections [to] find directions out" much like Polonius did when he sent two men to spy on Laertes (2.1.61-64) I myself felt that when "the good King and Queen have sent for [Guildenstern and Rosencrantz" to observe my actions without me knowing (2.2.272). Because of the espionage and the stress that comes from fulfilling a desire, "the beauty of the world; the paragon of animals... [seemed to be only the] quintessence of dust" (2.2.298-300). From what I understand, Cross also displayed a similar understanding once he retreated from the world for his safety. At least Aaron had Dr. Marta Shearing... I feel as though I am losing Ophelia.
Why does Ophelia listen so well to her father? Does she not understand that if he is Jephthah, she is the "daughter that [he loves] passing well" but will sacrifice in order to fulfill his duty to the thing and find the truth about my madness (2.2.389-390). Polonius is much like the villainous Edward Norton who will take any measures necessary to fulfill his goal of terminating Cross in his desire to preserve the program's rotten characteristics.
While Cross generally does put up a strong front, I best related to him when his weaknesses were shown. I understood his desire to shrivel himself into a corner and disappear. While I yell out in agony about how I am "a rogue and peasant slave", Cross tends to revert his pain inward as he tries to hold himself together in order to fulfill his goal. Much like him, I have to put up a front and present myself as strong, because only then will I be able to carry out the tasks necessary to remove the evil that plagues the Kingdom (2.2.521).
Because the espionage has resulted from each individual's unstoppable desire of fulfilling some goal, I believe that it is the fault of dishonest goal. An honest goal should inherently use honest means to obtain. However, in the case of the corrupt officials or my sly King Claudius, only dishonest goals exist. These are the goals that must eradicated for the secret intelligence agencies or Denmark to no longer be rotten.
Tweets:
- @Guiltystern and @LiarliarCrantzonFire I guess your loyalty lies with my parents over me #It'stoolatetosaysorry
- Because of @Guiltystern and @LiarliarCrantzonFire, I can't trust anyone any longer. Everything is rotten. #beautyoftheworldisquintessenceofdust #rotten
- @KingFraudius Staying strong so I can prove you wrong. #PokerFace #Stayin'Alive
- @Bolognius I will go mad if you sacrifice @DamselfOfDenmark just to find out what is making me mad #inception #love #Jephthah
- @Bolognius Using deception to find the truth about @FrenchForever #irony #He'sabigboy
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