Confessional Poets

Confessional Poetry is defined as "Poetry of the personal or I." The movement took place in the 1950's an the 1960's but had been experimented with by past poets. The movement is primarily defined by the content that its poets chose to write about.

Characterisitcs: 

• Careful use of Prosody 
• Structured 
• Sonnet sequences
• More bold, and truthful then traditional poetry 

Major Themes: 

• Mental illness
• sexuality 
• despondance 
• Depression
• Acholism 

Major Poets: 

• Theodore Roethke 
• Robert Lowell 
• W.D. Snodgrass
• Anne Sexton
• Slyvia Plath 

Poem: 
Love set you going like a fat gold watch.
The midwife slapped your footsoles, and your bald cryTook its place among the elements. Our voices echo, magnifying your arrival. New statue.In a drafty museum, your nakednessShadows our safety. We stand round blankly as walls. I'm no more your motherThan the cloud that distills a mirror to reflect its own slowEffacement at the wind's hand. All night your moth-breathFlickers among the flat pink roses. I wake to listen:A far sea moves in my ear. One cry, and I stumble from bed, cow-heavy and floralIn my Victorian nightgown.Your mouth opens clean as a cat's. The window square Whitens and swallows its dull stars. And now you tryYour handful of notes;The clear vowels rise like balloons.

Modernism

Modernism is a poetry movement that happened in the beginning of the 20th century. Modernistic authors did not want to be constrained by traditional forms of poetry.

Characteristics/Structure

• Free verse 
• Prose
• Rebellion 
• Individualism 
• Anti-realism
• Intellectualism 
• No exact number of lines
• Jump from thought to thought 

Themes

• Technology 
• Loneliness 
• Contemporary culture 
• Global language 

Authors 

• T.S. Elliot 
• E.E. Cummings 
• Emily Dickinson 
• Robert Frost
• Slyvia Plath 
• Thomas Hardy 

Poem 

The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock http://www.bartleby.com/198/1.html (T.S. Elliot) 

The Wasteland http://www.bartleby.com/201/1.html (T.S. Elliot) 

The Grapes of Wrath

Major Themes: 

Man's inhumanity to Man- The migrants torture, and rough travel isn't caused by the bad weather, and harmful conditions, but instead their fellow travelers. The landowners fear the migrants, which causes them to treat them as if they were animals. There is a clear divide between the rich and the poor, the landowners and the migrants. 

The Saving Power of Family and Fellowship- The bond between the Joads only becomes stronger as they continue there journey west. Although they are most of the time homeless, and pushed through harsh conditions they still remain a strong unit. Which is what most likely makes them last so long on there journey. Also families traveling west soon begin to unite, the word "family" extends to those who remain together and continue west as a strong unbreakable unit. 

The Dignity of Wrath- Steinbeck makes a connection between dignity and rage, because as long as these families contain a sense of anger, they will be able to keep moving. There anger towards the people that left them, and there anger towards the way they are being treated is what causes them to push towards something more, something better. This Anger will cause them to never lose their dignity. 

The Effects of Selfishness and Altruism- Selfishness is the main reason for the great move to the West. The selfishness of the businessman, and the landowners who tell the migrants of the new jobs. And with the move the migrants begin to become selfish themselves. They all want the same things, which means they are going to fight for it. Whether it is a spot to sleep on the side of the road, or food to eat, or a job to take. They are all racing to get to the same place and they don't care what happens in order for them to get there. 

Major Lit Devices: 

Symbols- 

• Rose of Sharon's Pregnancy 
• The death of the Joads dog 

Motifs- 

• Improvised Leadership Structure

Major Characters: 

Tom Joad 

Ma Joad

Pa Joad 

Jim Casy 

Rose of Sharon 

Grandpa Joad

Granma Joad 

Al Joad

Ivy and Sarah Wilson

Connie

Noah Joad 

Uncle John 

Ruthie Joad

Winfield Joad

Floyd Knowles 

Muley Graves 

Agnes Wainright 

Summary:

The Grapes of Wrath is a specific story about the Joad family who is migrating west during the Great Depression. It illustrates the hardships that the migrant workers had to go through while journeying west in order to find jobs that had been promised to them. It explains the bank system, and the high payed landowners as the "Monster" which with much selfishness lures the southern farmers west and treats them as if they are not people but instead animals. The Joad family experiences death, life without a home, abandonment, and several other things that only make them stronger and help them survive in the end. When Tom Joad returns home with his Old preacher, the family begins their journey to California, which does not go as smoothly as they plan. They begin to group up with other families such as the Wilsons which only makes their unit stronger. In the end after several have either left them or died, the family finds hope after a storm that almost kills them. 

Act 5 Questions

1) What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and song? How does it fit into the play?

He is singing about getting old and dying, and he is making a depressing song sound happy. He has been so surrounded by death that he no longer fears it, and as he digs a grave, he sings about death as if it is not that sad. Him singing about death is a foreshadow about Hamlets death which is to come. The riddles could also be comic relief in the play, and he is singing the songs as a way to mess with Hamlet.

2) In what ways do Hamlet’s reactions to the skulls in the graveyard seem to suggest a change in his outlook? Compare Hamlet’s attitude towards Yoric to Hamlet’s attitude to Ophelia or even his father? How is it different? How is it similar?

Hamlet is beginning to realize that people are equally dead, and seeing the skulls makes him calm down about death. When it comes to Ophelia and his father he has a very angry reaction to their death, but with Yoric he is much more relaxed and instead of getting angry he reminisces about the past that he had with Yoric.

3) How old is Hamlet? How do you know this?

30; the man says he has been a gravedigger since Hamlet was born which was 30 years ago.

4) What does the violent argument between Hamlet and Laertes add to the play?

It is the first time that Hamlet admits that he wants to be or is the king, and they are fighting over Ophelia as if they both want her. It also when we see Laertes madness unfold when they both jump in the grave and begin to wrestle.

5) What developments in Hamlet’s character are presented through the story of what happened on the boat? (V.ii 1-62). How has Hamlet changed?

He is willing to kill his own childhood friends in order to succeed his mission. Also he thinks that Betrayal is the absolute worst thing you can ever do so he had “the pawns” killed in order for them to pay for their Betrayal. This is when he starts taking action.

6) How do Hamlet’s motives in killing Claudius seem to have shifted according to his speech beginning “Does it not, think thee…” (V.ii.63)

Hamlet is finally saying that he wants to be king, and the Claudius stole his spot on the thrown and he wants to take it back from him.

7) What concerns of the play are reinforced in the Osric episode? (V.ii.80-170)

He is Polonius reincarnated. He sucks up to Hamlet the entire time, and he is supposed to tell Hamlet that the king wants him and Laertes to “play”. While doing this he talks in huge words complimenting Laertes, and by doing this he is actually making himself look ridiculous. The way he is acting is reinforcing the idea of prostitution; he is trying to impress Hamlet because he is in a position of power.

8) Why does Hamlet ‘defy augury’? (V.ii.192)

He believes that if he doesn’t go to “Play” with Laertes he will mess with the plan, and what is supposed to happen. So he refuses to hide out and not go through with it. He was told do avenge his father and must follow through with it.

9) What does Laertes say is his motive in still resenting Hamlet? How has already lost this? How does this contribute to the presentation of revenge in the play? (V.ii216-223)

He wants his honor protected, even though it has been diminished because of how Hamlet killed his father, and what he did with his sister. But his plan to kill Hamlet will also mess up his reputation. He is getting revenge for the way that his family was treated, and he doesn’t think about what he is doing he just acts.

10) How might the dying lines of Gertrude, Claudius and Laertes be viewed as typical of the way their characters have been presented throughout the play?

Gertrude’s last words are to hamlet, because she is saying goodbye to the one thing that is important. I believe that she knew that the drink was poisonous and she drank so Hamlet wouldn’t. Claudius is reaching out to a kingdom that truly never supported him, in order to survive he needs that support which he has to beg for. It wasn’t until Laertes died that he realized that what he has done is wrong, and that Claudius is actually to blame, not Hamlet.

11) Who “wins” in Hamlet? How and why do you think this?

Fortinbras, he is the only character who actually got their true revenge and survived in the end. 

More Act 3 study questions

1) What does Claudius plan to do with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Hamlet?


He plans on sending them to England, because now he actually has a reason to do it rather than Hamlets madness. The murder of Polonius was a perfect reason for Claudius to send Hamlet away. 

2) What is Polonius going to do while Hamlet speaks with his mother?


He was going to hide in the room and listen to their conversation, but Hamlet is one step ahead of him and thats why he kills him. 

3) List three important things about Claudius’ soliloquy.

a) He is feeling guilty about killing his brother, and this is the first time in the play that he actually admits that he does it. 
b) He wishes he could pray, but if he is enjoying the benefits he is reeking from murdering his brother, he is not willing to give up Gertrude, or the crown, or the attention. 
c) When Hamlet sees him he thinks that he is praying, but really he isn't and he possibly saves himself from getting killed because Hamlet chooses not to kill the king while he is praying because that may mean the kind will go to heaven. 

4) Why is it odd that Hamlet sees the king praying?


Well hamlet thinks the king is praying but really he is not, it is odd because Hamlet knows that the King is not willing to lose all that he has gained with his murdering ways. And usually when a lawful man prays it means they are trying to confess thier sins before dying so they will go to heaven. 

5) Why doesn’t Hamlet take this opportunity for revenge?


Because he believes that killing a man while praying will mean that the man he has killed will not go to hell for his sins, because he has confessed them and asked for forgiveness. Hamlet is not aware that the king isn't actually praying so he decides to not kill the king. 

Scene IV

1) Describe Polonius’ advice to Gertrude.


He tells her that she needs to repremand Hamlet for all the awful things he has been saying and doing. He is hoping that his mother will be able to get him line. 

2) What is the significance of the following quote: “How now, a rat? Dead! For a ducat, dead!


He knows that Polonius is spying because that all he does, Polonius is in fact a rat, and Hamlet doesn't like him at all. He knows that it is not the king he is killing, but he questions it anyway. 

3) What is odd about the following quote: A bloody dead; almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry with his brother.


Hamlet finally tells his mother about what he knows happened to his father, he is saying that the murder of Polonius isn't as bad as what Claudius did, and it is odd because he is in a way hinting to his mother what he is planning, and why he has been acting so mad. 

4) Why might Gertrude say, “What have I done, that thou dar’st wag thy tongue in noise so rude against me.”


She doesn't understand why Hamlet is making such bold accusations about her and Claudius, he is supposed to be her son, and she doesn't know why he has so much hate and anger with her. She doesn't realize that her marrying Claudius affected Hamlet so much. 

5) What descriptions does Hamlet use to compare his father and his uncle?


King Hamlet; Compares him to a greek god, very warm and gentle, god created him for a special purpose. 

Claudius;  Mildewed ear of corn


The two men are nothing a like, Old King Hamlet was much better and had much more purpose and he was much more genuine. 
6) What point does Hamlet make by comparing the men?


He wants her to know how awful her decision to marry Claudius was, because he is no way like the late king. 

7) What is disturbing about the following: Nay, but to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed; stewed in corruption; honeying, and making love over the nasty sty.”


Hamlet is getting way to personal with his mother, and mother and son should never talk about their sex life that vivedly, and Hamlet is making her ashamed for sleeping with both men in the same bed. 

8) What stops Hamlet’s ranting and raving at Gertrude? What does this figure tell Hamlet?


Old King Hamlets ghost reappears and tells him to lay off his mother, he is only confusing her and frustrating her. Unfortunately Gertrude cannot see the ghost so she only sees Hamlets madness growing stronger.


10) Explain the differences between the ghost in Act I with the ghost in Act III. Why might these differences reflect Hamlet’s insanity?


The ghost in scene three seems to have more feelings. In the beginning he has one mission and that was to have Hamlet get revenge for his murder, but now he sees the madness that has overtaken his son and realizes that he needs to take charge and stop hamlet from making stupid decisions like killing the women he once loved. 

Act 3 Study questions

Scene 1: 
1. What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to Polonius?


They tell him that that there is something noticibly wrong with Hamlet, but he would not tell them what it was. He wouldn't tell them most likely because he knew that they were spying so he wasn't about to ruin everything. 

2. How does Claudius react when Polonius says, "…with devotion's visage, And pious action we do sugar o'er/ The devil himself"?


He begins to feel extremely guilty because he realizes that he is continuosly covering up his massive sin with his thoughts and words, just has polonius is saying people usually do with pretending to be interested in god. 

3. What plan do Polonius, Claudius and Ophelia now put into action?


Ophelia is going to speak to hamlet and try and figure out what is wrong with him, and Claudius and Polonius are going to spy on the conversation. 

4. What is the nature of Hamlet's soliloquy, lines 57-91?


Its very sad and dark, he speaks of death very causally and questions whether or not it is better to be alive or dead. He believes that with death you are escaping all the wrong turns in life, and you don't have to make as many hard decisions. His speech is very similar to one of a person who is contimplating commiting suicide. 

5. What is Hamlet's main argument against suicide?


He has no idea what is to come after death, he doesn't know if death will be great than life, which is why he is not willing to take his life at that moment because he is afraid that it might be worse. 

6. Why does Hamlet treat Ophelia as cruelly as he does? What has changed him?


Because he did once love her and he knows that she had planned for her father to spy on him, and it hurts him that she would betray him like that. His crazy actions were planned but at the same time he still has feelings, and when the one you love betrays it creates and anger inside of you and thats why he is torturing her. 

7. What thinly veiled threat to Claudius does Hamlet voice, after he becomes of his hidden presence? (lines 148-150)


He says that everyone except him will live because he is going to kill him. 

8. At the end of this scene, what does the King decide to do with Hamlet?


He wants to send him away to england, but he can't with a sold reason which he doesn't have yet. 

Scene 2:
9. What qualities in Horatio cause Hamlet to enlist his assistance?


He is very intelligent, and wise. He appreciates everything around him and he keeps extremely good composure in frantic situations. All of these qaulities make him extremely trustworthy,which is why Hamlet really relies on him. 

10. What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do?


He asks him to observe the king during the play to see his reaction on what is happening. If Horatio notices that the king gets nervous or reacts strange he will know that he is guilty of killing old King Hamlet, and the prince will have to continue his mission to kill Claudius. 

11. Summarize what happens in the play-within-a-play.


The play-within-a-play almost exactly tells the story of what Cladius did. There is a king and queen who are being very affectionate, the queen leaves for a moment and the kings nephew comes and poors poison into the kings ear. This was the introduction to the play and Claudius reacts right away and leaves the theatre because he did a very similar thing. 

12. Why, in line 233, does Hamlet refer to the play-within-a-play as "The Mouse-trap"?


Because the entire reason for this play is to find out if the king actually killed Hamlets father, so he is tricking them into watching the play in order to get a reaction out of the king. 

13. What is the King's reaction to the play?


He stands up and starts freaking out, and then he runs out of the room very quickly with everyone following close behind him. 

14. In lines 354-363, to what object does Hamlet compare himself? Why?


He says he is an instrument, that people try and play him but people like Guildenstern, who can't play instruments can't play him. 

15. As Hamlet goes to his mother at the end of this scene, what does he admonish himself to do?


He is trying to convince himself not to kill her even though he hates her very much. He has to stick with his plan and save his rage for the king. He compares himself to Nero, a Roman man who killed his mother, but he will not go to those lengths. Despite the hate. 

Act 2 Summary

1.) The first part of Act 2 involves Polonius and his children. Polonius asks Reynoldo to go to France and start rumors about his son so he can see if the things that Reynoldo is spreading is true. It is his way of spying on his son, so that he knows if he is doing anything that will hurt his political gain. Ophelia then shows up and tells her father about the abuse she is receiving from Hamlet. She is very distraught with his strange behavior, and it is beginning to frighten her. She then tells her father that she has done what he asked and has cut off all contact with Hamlet. Polonius believes that his strange behavior is based on Ophelias rejection towards him, and goes to tell Claudius and Gertrude what he has discovered about Hamlets madness.

2.) Claudius and Gertrude are very eager to find out why Hamlet has gone so insane, so Claudius decides to send for Hamlets friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and asks them to find out what is wrong with Hamlet. And they do it willingly because they are also looking for political gain. As soon as they leave Polonius enters with news of why Hamlet has gone insane. Before he tells them though the king gets word from Fortinbras uncle, that he has caught on to Fortinbras plan and will not allow it, he has granted him an allowance though and has allowed him to plan an attack on the Polish, and he may pass through Denmark. Polonius then tells them about Ophelia, and shows them the letters that Hamlet sent her. Although they were somewhat loving, they were completely insane. The king and queen leave and Hamlet enters and begins talking to Polonius. He starts to continuously bash on Polonius, and talking about his daughter, and asks if he is a "Fish Monger".

3.) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern begin their spying when they approach Hamlet. Hamlet soon catches on that they are to spy on Hamlet, since they continue to dodge the question on why they were there. Hamlet eventually forces his two old friends to confess why they are there. Rosencratntz then changes the subject and starts telling Hamlet about the group of actors they encountered while they were traveling. The actors and Polonius enter, and Hamlet gives throws a few more insults at Polonius. He then asks the Actor to recite a passage from the Aeneid. While doing his speech, the actor begins to cry which really moves Hamlet. He then asks the player to perform a play for the kingdom, "The Murder of Gonzaga" and tells the actor that their are a few speeches he would like to add himself. After everyone leaves Hamlet begins to think about the actors compassion in his speech, and wonders how that man can feel so sad when he didn't even know the real people. He begins to get angry with himself for trying to get revenge on his uncle rather then just grieve his fathers death. He regains composure and decides to see if this ghost is actually his father.