Is Fortinbras right in his speech at the end of the play?

Fortinbras' speech about Hamlet's character being proud, noble warrior is wrong because though he did avenge his Father's death by killing Claudius, Hamlet took a long time to do so. However I think that the fact that it is Hamlet's 'enemy' as it were saying all of these complimentray things shows that even though they have had their differences, Fortinbras can see what Hamlet is truly like as a person.

In addition to this, the audience know about the flaws of Hamlet's character, and therefore may not entirely agree with what Fortinbras was saying. The audience are given both sides to Hamlet's character throughout the play and are therefore the most likely to be able to make a fair judgement about whether or not Hamlet should be considered a hero.

In my opinion, Hamlet shouldn't be considered a hero from his actions throughout the play: although he did kill the man who murdered his father, it took him so long that I, as an audience member, lost sight of why he did all the things he had (e.g. pretend to be mad, put on the play, flash Ophelia, ect...). I would have definitely considered him much more of a hero if he had just killed Claudius at the first opputunity no matter what ther people may think as this would have shown courage and bravery... whereas I view his character as cowardly.

Hamlet, Act Two and Three.

Hamlet takes fake madness to the next level (and by next, i mean like a make believe level that only insane people know about) by flashing Ophelia. But then, seeing as they slept together, why is she so shocked that he is acting in such a sexual manner? maybe he just wants a bit more, understandably. Along with this portrayal of madness, there is also a (in my opinion) brilliant portrayal of intelligence and cunning when he tells the actors to put on a play showing how he thinks his father's death happened, which happens just after the internationally-known "to be or not to be" speech.

Opinions on this speech vary about what he is actually contemplating, whether it is suicide or existence ... i don't have a real opinion, or any clarity about what he is talking about really... but he seems to be quite a developed, "deep" character

In my opinion, for someone who is suppose to be insane, his soliloquy is a bit too insightful and profound; this shows the audience yet another sign that he may just be faking insanity as a cunning plan to unveil King Claudius as the true killer of his father,

Hamlet also creates another plan to unveil King Claudius as a murderer by setting up a play showing what he believes happened when his father was murdered, and then tells Horatio to watch the King for a reaction that could only be caused by over-whelming guilt. At last, Hamlet is actually doing something, and it actually works; King Claudius hastily leaves, ending the play. He then creates a plan of retaliation with Polonius, deciding that Polonius will spy on Hamlet when he talks to the Queen. As Hamlet is on his way to speak to the Queen, he sees Claudius knelt down on the floor... perfect chance to kill him, no? No. He realises that he is praying, and thinks that if he is killed during prayer, he will go straight to heaven: Hamlet thinks this is unfair because firstly, he doesn't deserve to go to heaven after the antics he's been up to, and secondly, why should he go to heaven while King Hamlet is stuck in limbo?

However, it turns out the Claudius doesn't think his prayers are being heard, and that he won't get into heaven. Basically, if Hamlet wasn't so cowardly and indecisive, he could have avenged his fathers death long ago. Simple.

Hamlet, Act One.

The themes of tragedy and death are established in Act One of 'Hamlet' by the ghost of King Hamlet appearing during the night and then the audience finding out that it was King Hamlet's lovely yo unger brother who poisoned him so he could gain not only the status as KING OF DENMARK, but also, King Hamlet's widow, Queen Gerturde. These events cause the position in which the villain is seen as 'in control' and is basically winning at life. (yay.)
Hamlet obviously isn't at a great stage in his life; he's been busy at University studying (in a different country) until the tragic death of his father, followed by the possibly incestuous marriage of his mother to his uncle, who is now King Claudius of Denmark. Basically, Hamlet isn't happy.

After being informed by the soldiers doing the night-watch that King Hamlet's ghost is appearing, he decides to try and converse with him. In the play, it is written that King Hamlet tells Hamlet about how he was murdered, however, in the film, we get shown a ridiculous portrayal of a forest falling apart because of this ghost that can't pass onto heaven because of 'unfinished business'. Now, the audience are thinking "he should kill King Claudius in an act of revenge"... instead of this, he pretends to be mad. (in my opinion, he should have just killed him, but then i'm not one of the greatest writers ever. in history. so who am i to question Shakespeare?)

One thing that does confuse me about this character is that he swears the soldiers to secrecy about the whole forest scenario which means that he could get away with killing Claudius, but for some reason, chooses to be insane. (leads me to believe that he possibly is insane.)

There is also a tragic element being portrayed, which is happening to Ophelia. She is completely head over heels for Hamlet (which becomes even more obvious when the audience find out they had sex, naughty.) however, her brother and father are telling her that she can't have anything to do with him. Does she obey her family, as always? or does she follow her heart?

'V' by Tony Harrison

Things i found interesting about this poem:

• even though i found the use of swearing was slightly excessive, i liked how it combined with the angry tone of the poem. "fuck" and "cunt" are both very harsh sounding words, which are en-keeping with the tone.
• i thought that there was no real sense of positive emotion throughout the poem even though he was talking about his deceased family; he seemed to concentrate more on the negative than the positive.
• the tone is consistent and obvious straight away from the title; "V" may be interpreted as swearing.
• the use of oppositions throughout the poem, contrasting 'A' with 'B'; an example of this within the poem is the opposing themes of love and hate .

my opinion on the character, Hamlet

Reflecting back on the sililolquy, my opinions of Hamlet haven't changed drasitcally since the start of the play. Throughout the play, up to the sililoquy, I thought that Hamlet had acted in a mature, understandable way seeing the circumstances that his father has died, and his mother re-married his uncle. In Act 2 Scene 2, Hamlet reveals a cunning side to him, as he reveals he is planning to unmask to true killer of the late King Hamlet by faking insanity. Many people have questioned whether Hamlet was truely insane or not, however, in my opinion i believe that for the whole play, Hamlet is in complete control of his mentel and physical state, (despite this being contridicted after Ophelia's suicide later on in the play).

I think that instead of laying out his 'master plan' to unveil King Claudius as the killer, he should have worked harder to find any evidence to then confront him sooner rather than later. His lack of decisiveness is seen as his downfall, which will be evident throughout the rest of the play.

Long Distance, Tony Harrison

In the first part of 'Long Distance', I am slightly sympathetic towards both characters: I feel sympathy towards to son because he is obviously distressed with his father's constant bad attitude and the lack of emotion he shares; i feel sympathy for the father because his tone highlights a feeling that his son isn't concerned about him and doesn't take an intrest in his life; however, due to their overbearing flaws.

In 'Long Distance 2', i am more sympathetic towards the son as although the father is widowed, in his grieving in such an way that it is effecting his son and their relationship. Due to the state of the father's grievance means that the son has not only lost his mother, but his father as well.