Why must Hamlet die?

The literary scholar that I most agree with is G. Wilson Knight. I agree very strongly that death is the theme of the play and that everything happens because of it. There is a remarkably large number of people killed in the play, and it is all because of the death of King Hamlet at the start. I also agree that the ghost is simply a catalyst for the play, and that it is not meant to be good or evil, although Hamlet must decide if it is. G. Wilson Knight believes that Hamlet's soul becomes dead when his father dies and mother remarries. It is his view and mine that the depressed and death obsessed Hamlet infects the whole play and can not be stopped by anything but with his own death. I feel that part of Hamlet has died with the death of his father, and the remarriage of his mother and the visit from the ghost blaming his uncle drive him even further away from the man he once was. I don't think the damage done to Hamlet can be undone, and I don't think that anyone would stay safe with Hamlet around. For this reason, I think Hamlet must die. I think everything in his life he once lived for is gone, and he is filled with meaninglessness. Hamlet becomes so immersed and confused about death, that he becomes obsessed with the idea of it. Hamlet admits that he would kill him self, were it not a sin. In conclusion I feel that Hamlet is no longer the person he once was, and has given up on happiness because of it. All the death around Hamlet affects him too strongly to continue living his life like before and to find it in himself to forgive his uncle and go on with his life. Hamlet can not live with himself if he avenges his fathers murderer, but he also can't live with the idea of committing such a crime. I feel that Hamlet must die because his soul has already died with his father, and the man that he has become is too far from the man he once was.

Hamlet: The Newest Play Written

The Article Hamlet: The Newest Play Written, by Dr. Robert Walton proposes the idea that anyone can look at the character of Hamlet and see themselves in him. Why should we care about Hamlet? I think the answer may be because he can remind us of ourselves. Dr. Walton feels that teenagers will see and relate to Hamlet's rebellion from authority figures. This is a valid point, although I have never been too rebellious a person, it certainly is an appealing situation to take control over those who usually control you. I think Hamlet is important because everyone sees some aspect of themselves in him. Hamlet is a very human character, who is caught up in his own emotions. We see Hamlet struggle to be the person he wants to be, and decide what it is he values most. The reading of Hamlet, can indeed serve as a cautionary tail. Hamlet provides fascinating insight into the human mind and how grief can affect us. As an objective reader, perhaps we can better understand the character traits of Hamlet that we see in ourselves. I feel for Hamlet because I see how badly he wants to do the right thing, he just can't quite figure out what the "right" thing is. I empathise with Hamlet and his desire to make everyone happy. I also understand how deeply affected Hamlet is from his father's murder, and his mother's marriage. I don't see Hamlet as an evil character who deserves to die, but a deeply damaged and depressed man. I see why, in Hamlet's eyes, everything he does is necessary. I understand why Hamlet does what he does, which justifieshim as a good person. Hamlet is a very interesting character who, as Dr. Walton points out, is highly relatable.

Informal Essay- Multiple Misjudgments

Victoria Esztelecky
ENG4U
Mr. Hindley
March 1st 2009

Multiple Misjudgments

I have always loved to take care of children. A frequent babysitter, I confess I do find it exhausting to look after four little girls under the age of seven. I dread babysitting on school nights when homework, reading, baths, dinner, and violin practicing can be enough to put me over the edge. Oh yes, dinner time is often like feeding time at the zoo. Extra time, energy, and money must be put into everything. On a recent trip to a water park it took three adults to safely accompany the four little girls on the various attractions. The admission price was astronomical. I thought about this family when I read of the recent birth of octuplets to a mother who already had six children.
Nadya Suleman’s doctor should not have allowed her to have six embryos implanted through invitro. Firstly, Nadya already had six kids under the age of seven. Three of these children have disabilities. I can not imagine how Nadya felt she had enough time for all her children then! She is a single parent and could not afford outside help. Fertility doctors exist to help people who desperately want a child. Nadya was lucky. She had six kids; she didn’t need more, certainly not at that time. Secondly, there was no reason for six embryos to be implanted. Guidelines recommend implanting no more than two into women under 35, such as Nadya. Nadya’s doctor knew her success with her past pregnancies, and should not have been concerned that the procedure would be unsuccessful. The doctor was aware that Nadya was against selective reduction, should it be an issue, and should have taken that into consideration as well. Thirdly, the mother of 14 is currently unemployed. She has not been working for some time and is living with her children at her parent’s house. Her mother declared bankruptcy last year. The family receives food stamps each month. Clearly, this is not a family who could have afforded even one more child.
A fertility doctor’s responsibility is to determine whether the mother is able to properly care for a child. It is a complicated process, full of ethical qualms, which is why doctors have the right to refuse patients whom they do not think are suitable. Big money is paid to these doctors because they have to make these hard decisions. In this case, Nadya’s doctor should have done more research and considered what was in the best interest of his patients, both the mother and the possible babies.
I wish Nadya the best of luck. We can agree on one thing. I love children, too. However, loving children means doing what’s best for the ones you already have. If you really love kids, you have as many as you can properly look after. My biggest concern with Nadya’s story is the actions of her doctor. He knew, or should have known, her situation, and even then went through with the invitro. I hope that there are serious repercussions for his behavior, and that it doesn’t happen again.

Two Words- Reader Response Theory

"Two Words" by Isabel Allende can be evaluated through reader response theory. This story creates a lot of suspence by not tellnig the audience what the "Two Words" are. The reader assumes that they will be revealed at the end of the story, and reads on looking for the author to tell them what they are. The author not telling the reader what the words are is an important aspect of reader response theory. As the theory states, the readers opinion and thoughts are an important part of the story. It is up to the reader to determine for themselves what the ending will be. I think this is particularily effective here, because I am not sure that there would have been two words that would have fully satisfied the audience. These are supposed to be magical words, and keeping them a secret allows them to keep there magic qualities. This story has left me pondering it for a lot longer then if the author had simply handed me the answer. One of the great things about reader response, is that everyone has their own theory and can get something different from the story. I had never thought that the two words could have been the characters name until it was suggested. The idea makes sense though, and I think it is a good option. The reader has the ability to create their own part in the story, and I think this creative control might lead to more people enjoying the story. I wonder if the author herself had the answer. I would love to know what she thinks. Maybe the two words were her characters name, and the author felt it was obvious or maybe she was simply leaving it up to the reader to decide. I enjoyed this story, and the mystery it created.

The Shining Houses- Marxist Literary Criticism

"The Shining Houses" by Alice Munro has many elements of Marxist Literary Criticism. The whole idea of class is very evident. The majority of the characters are from the same middle class. They have similar ideals, and opinions, and are so eager to conform that almost everything about their lives are the same. Difference, any kind at all, is not accepted. There neighbourhood is a good example of their need to conform. Every house looks the same, everything is kept well and neat. All the men work on weekends to make their landscaping look nice. The neighbourhood has a large sense of community, and yet this community only includes those who share their ideas. Any one who is an outsider, such as Mrs. Fullerton, is not included. This is a neighbourhood made up of, with the exception of Mrs. Fullerton, one socio-economic class. They are very concerned with what people think of them and how society will view them. They all hope to one day be even further up in class, and when that day comes, I doubt they will have anything to do with their old neighbours. Mrs. Fullerton is certainely an outsider. I'm not sure it bothers her though. She seems lonely, but somewhat content. Well the community came up with several reasons why it is in their best interests to get her house knocked over, I don't think the house is their real problem. Mrs. Fullerton is not one to immediately conform, and I think the community would really like to get rid of her, not just the house. Mary, by the end of the story has managed to isolate herself from any type of group. She is not concidered to be in the same group as Mrs. Fuller, but she is also seen as different from the rest of the community. Her differing oppinion forces the group to make fun of her, so taht their own wisdom is not jeprodized. No idea opposing the ideals of the society is okay, or even to be considered. The community is almost being persuaded by mob mantality. They all egg each other on and justify it because, everyone else agrees, so it must be right. I think Mary is the real victim. She didn't stand up strong enough to make any kind of change. She didn't present her idea as a good one, but very passively agressively with no real thought. She almost seemed passive. I would also suggest that the community is a victim. They are so consumed with the ideals they think are their own that they have stopped even thinking for themselves. I feel the author present s Mrs. Fuller as the victim, as she portrayes her as being an inicent women, who has bad things happen to her.

Ode to a Nightingale

Why?
Keats had a very troubled life. His whole family was very sick, and he spent his short life looking after them. Keats would have been looking to find something beautiful in his life. I think Keats used his poetry to paint images that were beautiful to him. These images were simple, everyday things, that he managed to make extraordinary. I am amazed that someone who had very little to be thankful for, could write such a beautiful, expressive poem.

How?
Keats has clearly had a lot of experience with death. This comes across in his writing when he says things such as, "I have been half in love with easefull Death," and "Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!" Keats uses several poetic devices such as alliteration, "self-same song" and allusion, alluding to Ruth. These devices add colour to a poem that might otherwise be consumed in darkness. Keats describes the pain of death by writing "To cease upon the midnight with no pain.". The "pain" that Keats is referring to is perhaps not meant to describe death it's self but the pain leading up to it. Death, Keats is saying would be a welcome to the pain of sickness and the pain of ones family when their loved ones are sick. In the two stanzas that I chose Keats seems to almost be giving up, he is at least considering it. If we look at the pattern of the "journey" he has almost finished what he wants to get across to the reader and is preparing to finish his story and tell the reader his conclusions. Keats is a genious at portraying exactly what he feels to the reader.

Persuasion Parapraph

Food irradiation has several positive applications. Firstly, irradiation of food can be used to kill harmful organisms and bacteria on the food. By interfering in the organic process, irradiation can prevent food decay. This process breaks down bacteria, yeasts, and moulds and kills insects as well as their eggs and larvae. Irradiation can be preferred to other chemical treatments because there is no residue left on the food. Food irradiation can be an important tool in keeping our food clean and safe to eat. Secondly, food irradiation can help to extend the shelf life of several foods. The use of irradiation to extend shelf life is comparatively much less expensive then other chemical methods. The use of irradiation will also retain more of the foods texture, flavour and nutrient value then alternative methods. In conclusion the irradiation of food has many positive uses both with killing harmful bacteria on food and by helping to safety expand the shelf life.