"This is Water"... an excellent way to spend 10 to 15 mins

     

        You have probably already read or watched this video, but even if you have, you likely should watch or read it again. This is one of those speeches that requires multiple readings. It fits with our course theme and the simple fact that you are about to enter a very different, "real" reality in a few months. No mommy or daddy or Great Aunty Kathy to take care of you anymore. Take some time, watch this vid. I've also included the full text of the speech, delivered by David Foster Wallace at Kenyon College. Hit the comment button at the bottom of this blog to tell me what you think!!
Vid (only 10 min's, not full speech) Please look at 2nd image box.
Here's the full speech. It's worth your time!! 
   
      Quick Classroom point: to this point some of you have either not been posting your blogs, making any comments, or not inserting the necessary images or links. Please remember from this point forward, all work in Act III and beyond will officially "count"... Take care, and watch the vid!!!

To what degree is our furture in our hands?

    I think that our future is in our hands to a certain degree. I am in control of my own actions but not in control of the way other people perceive and react to them. I can work as hard as I can at something and think that it is a work of art, but everyone has different opinions so my art may be someones   trash. With that I know that if my future was up to me I would be able to shock and awe people, but there are so many different standards of so many different people it's hard to please everyone. I am able to do what I can do, but the way someone else interprets my actions and hard work is entirely out of my hands. I could try to make everyone else happy by working extremely hard for not much of a result, but then I wouldn't be happy. On the other hand I could do what I wanted to do, and be satisfied with my work, but no one else would be. I find it sad in society that everyone is compared to everyone else. Why can't people just be judged for who they are right then and there rather than in comparison to someone who is "worse" or "better" than them? Everyone is different and everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. So when someone doesn't do something exactly the way everyone else does it, it is considered wrong. If something makes sense and has a good message then I don't think the little things matter. Our society is drilling into people that everyone needs to be the same, have the same education, same thoughts, and the same beliefs but this is all subconscious. We don't realize that all the education system does is make everyone think and act alike, which in some ways is beneficial, but what ever happened to individualism? Why does it matter what formula in math I use as long as I get the right answer in the end? Why does it matter where I put punctuation or a thesis statement as long as the message is clear in the end? This is why I think that my future is farther out of my hands than I realize. Because there is so much conformity in society that no matter what I do I will never be the person who on point grammar or can add in my head in 2 seconds. I will forever be myself and do what I believe truly matters in life. I am not going to conform myself to what I believe to be idiotic. I will never be what society wants and I am totally okay with that because I am happy with myself. I don't care if that makes me stubborn. 

Here's Mr. Hurley's view on "What's the point?"... no need to respond...

The following is a portion of a blog I posted for my other professional blog, which deals with learning in the 21st century. It can be found here: http://cohort21.com/brenthurley/

It's interesting when you ask the question, "What's the point of this?" to a group of students when tackling a new issue or a particularly taxing problem that might result in some anxiety or frustration. "Why are we doing this?" or "How might you use what you are learning in the real world?" are always good questions to ask your students, because if they can't answer the question, surely you can, right?

Recently I asked this question to a group of grade 12 students studying Hamlet. I mean, we're talking about Hamlet here! The top dog, the 'World Series' of Shakespeare, right? Clearly this group of well-rounded, private school students would need little convincing that Hamlet was in their best interest.

Well, as I discovered in our class Blog, students have plenty to say about Hamlet and Shakespeare in general. The great thing about having students use blogs to discuss a particular topic is that they must engage with eachother -- negotiating different points of view, commenting through agreement or disagreement, learning how to write in a public forum. On this day, when asked, "What's the point of reading Shakespeare?" in a high school classroom, responses ranged from extremely blunt to a balancing act, trying to appease what they know is good for them from what they knew they find hard.

What's the point of teaching 16th century English to students in the 21st century? How can we make the story of Hamlet applicable to their lives and help them better understand the world in which they live? These are important questions, but what must not be lost is the reality that much of my students' disapproval for the ancient Bard had to do with one simple fact: it's really hard to understand what William Shakespeare is saying! It's tough, difficult, a pain in the butt, not easy, vraiment difficile, and only improves with incredible dedication, diligence, and access to YouTube and Sparknotes.

Maybe that's the point! Students need to be challenged, to face a task that is not immediately understood and applicable, and the resiliency they build over time as a result of that challenge is like a new layer of skin that protects them from the daily hazards of the real world. Students may not need to know the intricacies of "To Be or Not To Be", but they should be able to make connections, understand diction, and explore the importance of expressing the great challenges of understanding one's place in the world as they get older. Who cares about remembering quotes or themes or motifs if ten years from now none of it will stay with the student as they travel the winding road of the real world?

The recent PISA results indicate that a greater divide is starting to grow between the "have's" and "have nots" in terms of pedagogical philosophy. One side of the chasm is an emphasis on standardized testing, on spending lots of money per student but not getting real results versus inquiry based learning where educational standards for teachers are increased, but so too is salary and professional development. The United States finds itself falling behind not only traditional strong holds like South Korea, Finland, and Japan, but they are also struggling to achieve higher results than countries like Poland and Vietnam -- new entrants to the international standardized testing stage. Put simply, these PISA tests claim to test for skills that are "essential for full participation in modern society," as well as their ability to apply what they have learned in new situations. "This approach reflects the fact that modern economies reward individuals not for what they know, but for what they can do with what they know," the [PISA]report said.

So... what's the point? A standardized test called PISA apparently says that it's about ensuring students are rewarded for what they can actually do with their knowledge, rather than simply just rewarding them for remembering dates, facts, and definitions. I tend to agree. I don't remember much from my grade 12 experience with Hamlet except this: it was hard... I mean, really really hard, and when it was over, I felt like I had conquered the world... I felt really good about myself and my success in facing the demon-child of Elsinore and coming out the victor on the other side. And that, my friends, is all we can hope for our own students; that, I guess, really is the point of the whole damn thing.

Is there a point of reading Shakespeare? I understand the point of reading a Shakespeare play, but having to read a Shakespeare book in every grade from 9-12 i do not think is necessary. Shakespeare's plays are very famous and are important to know about in English history. Imagining talking to a person without at least some knowledge of Shakespeare, you would probably think they are quite uneducated. I think reading a Shakespeare play is worth while even if it is hard to red and understand. It allows us to expand our knowledge further. By reading Shakespeare you can also learn things about him that you didn't know. 

The relevancy of shakespeare

Does Shakespeare have enough value to be taught in schools today? Probably yes. First off, on a basic level, references to Shakespeare are prevalent in modern culture. Most adults also have a basic knowledge of Shakespeare. In order to understand these references it is important that Students are taught at least the history and basics of Shakespeare even if they do not study a whole play. Shakespeare contains many themes, motifs and questions that were relevant in the 1600s, are relevant today and will be relevant in the future. This is the reason that Shakespeare is still studied by so many classes. Another reason to read Shakespeare is for vocabulary. The language in Shakespeare is very old and difficult to understand, but it contains useful vocabulary that can help improve the level of your writing. When reading Shakespeare it engages parts of the brain not usually at work when reading because you need critical thinking skills in order to understand what is being said. For these reasons it is important to study Shakespeare in high school.

Shakespeare

“Shakespeare… Does it even make sense to read this? Why do we waste time on this?  

 It is over 400 years old, so we should focus on issues which really affect us and what can brings us further in life! Time is money!”  That’s what some people might think when they have to read Shakespeare for class.

When I first had to read Macbeth, a few years ago at my old school, I felt the same way; I REALLY hated Shakespeare and wished that he would have never lived.

I guess times changes. I grew up and English as a second language became a lot easier for me to understand. I enjoy reading Hamlet even when it’s in a difficult language. Finally, I understand why we read Shakespeare; it’s not only because of reading old English and learning the techniques Shakespeare used, it’s just that the issue Hamlet is addressing never gets old: people murder each other, indecision, jealousy, distrust in family members- it can happen everywhere at any time.

Especially at this point of our life; our Grade 12 school year, the big question is who we are and who we want to be. What is important for us and what is the sense of life? Hamlet is addressing this in his own way but you start thinking about the matter of life and maybe Hamlet can help you find an answer.

For example, the advice Polonius gives Laertes before leaving home could be given by every father to every son before leaving to college or somewhere else in the world. Don’t be a borrower, or a lender! Be true to yourself! It is just important to stay to yourself and know what’s good.

Besides all this deep meaning, it is deep thinking what Shakespeare does to us. It seems like he has fun playing with words and rhymes. Every student can learn how to structure texts, learn new words and just get a sense how people at this time thought. It is stimulating the brain.

Overall I think Hamlet , or Shakespeare is a great tool to teach students and we should continue using it in Grade 12.

My thoughts about Hamlet

I personally don't think we should read Hamlet. I think reading more up to date plays, novels, books and especially news articles would be much more informative and interesting. I can not get through Hamlet it is boring and on top of that I don't understand half of it. I don't think anyone actually likes it very much. The play is known as a respectable play so it sounds good if you like Hamlet. I don't learn anything from reading Hamlet.

mlet.

Musinga's Great Blog Post

Shakespeare is the most well known play writer, for hundreds of years his plays have been studied for their life lessons each one has. It is no surprise kids do not like his writing for he made up hundreds of words that make no sense until the teacher explains it. I feel that kids start to study Shakespeare at too young of an age, the language and writing is to advanced for some kids, which does not help them appreciate the plays. It may be a good change in the educational system if we were to work our way into his language, maybe do some grammar to help prepare? Shakespeare is like math, it is good for our brain, and practice makes perfect, right?

Why I believe Hamlet is not necessary in a High School curriculum

What can I learn in a fictional dictation of the important aspects of life in Shakespeare's Hamlet that I cannot learn in today's world in an understandable manner? To defend my point that it is in fact an out-dated source of material, I ask, What is the definition of modern day success? My answer would be to make money and to make a difference. Shakespeare's Hamlet teaches us the medieval viewpoints on topics such as Jealousy, Madness and Distrust. Nearly 400 years later, today, we can learn such aspects of life through the adverse internet society; twitter, Facebook and many other social media websites. To become successful, I believe that our youth need not study Hamlet, for the hours, weeks and occasionally months of paid classes, constantly studying the deeper meaning of something that 90% of educated society will forget in the mayhem of real life, but should learn to properly write things that relate to modern success. Learn to write documents such as a resume, a contract, and the hundreds of other agreements, that we yet again, pay more and more of our time away to learn how to write, when we could be doing that now.

The truth is that success is also caused by happiness in whatever you do. Hamlet, could spark happiness in many.

Here's what I believe Hamlet does teach us....

Hamlet, just as any other great piece of literature is a cause of conversation. People can interact and have conflicted opinions on this, creating diverse opportunity for conversation and opinion, which is key to success in many areas of life, being able to interact with the people around you.

Why Shakespeare?

I believe that reading Shakespeare is important for the following reasons. Although I am not a huge fan of Shakespeare, as it is complicated and I don't really understand it. I think that there is deeper meaning then there are in most books (even though it's a play) and it is good that we learn about it. It's also interesting that Shakespeare wrote his plays so long ago but they are still relevant to todays world. The messages that he conveys are strong and meaningful and should be taught to us. For example, "Be true to thine own self be true." this is still relevant and true today. Shakespeare might be hard to understand but once it is explained the plays are usually very interesting and the messages are strong.

I think that reading Shakespeare does have value in our learning about life. Although it is annoying and hard to understand at times, Shakespeare teaches us of problems and dilemmas that are true to every day life today. I agree that throughout life it is very important to understand good communication and human emotion. In this modern day, much of these life skills are not taught and understood as they used to be. Studying old fashioned works such as Shakespeare allows us to expose ourselves to the old fashioned ways of thinking and understanding. The stories and dilemmas that Shakespeare writes about are relatable to everybody's life. These plays offer wisdom and perception into every readers life that can be used in real life situations There is something to be said for these stories written 500 years ago that can still relate to life today. I think that studying these plays allows us to challenge ourselves and reflect on our own lives whilst learning about the literature of Shakespeare's story telling. Although I believe there is great value in studying Shakespeare, I also think that we could study his work in a more modern language so we could actually understand what he is trying to say. It is very frustrating to have to read a play that you have no idea what is happening for the language does not make sense. I feel that this is the main reason many high school students dread studying Shakespeare. There have been many great interpretations of Shakespeare's work that are both entertaining and easy to understand. Examples of these works are movies such as, The lion King and She's the Man. These movies are prime examples of how Shakespeare's work can be interesting to high school students. These examples show young students the truth behind how Shakespeare relates to the world today. Seeing Shakespeare's work through in a different light, allows many students to see the importance of Shakespeare and why he has stayed so famous for so long.

Shakespeare is useful

I believe Shakespeare should continue to be a part of English curriculums across Canada, and elsewhere. Although it may have been written 400+ years ago, Shakespeare's plays help demonstrate current issues and attitude in todays world. The themes of jealousy, romance and death are commonly demonstrated throughout Shakespeare's plays. Not so much death, but jealousy and romance are something seen conflicting in the lives of teenagers. His writing style allows students to be challenged while reading, and challenges are needed to be overcome to assist students progress as English students. Shakespeare's demonstration of symbols and motifs are thoroughly seen within his plays, such as poison in Hamlet or blood in Macbeth. Symbols and motifs are both modern day writing tools, and Shakespeare's capability of including them is seen as one of the greatest in the history of literature. Overall I believe Shakespeare is something that should be continuously studied throughout high school as it allows students to expand their English abilities and learn a unique style of writing.

 

 Learning New Things

I like it

I do see tremendous value in reading Hamlet. I believe that to in order for you to become articulate and eloquent you must immerse yourself in literature. Especially literature that challenges ourselves. I consider Shakespeare similar to a Sudoku puzzle. I can feel my neurons firing as I learn. The language in the text though can be immensely difficult. Through Shakespeare we are able to see the progression of how writing has changed and developed. Take into account Huckleberry Finn. We see it as the stepping stone on to which all great literature is written similar to how Shakespeare changed screenplays.

Personally, I don't appreciate people who are uneducated philistines, those who proudly announce "I don't read". Hopefully with the right experience Shakespeare can possibly spark a love for literature and the humanities. Some of our favourite pieces of art, film and music have been based off of Shakespeare's work.

To keep maintenance in our minds we must begin learning new things especially new languages which Shakespeare practically is. Though Shakespeare was written over 400 years ago it defiantly all feels new to me.

Finally Shakespeare was able to evoke empathy from his audience and really grasped human nature. All of the underlying issues his protagonists face are still relevant today. Teen angst, mental health, guilt, depression, lust, friendship, betrayal, I cant say I've experienced such a cornucopia of virtue from a single life's work of that I ever will again.

What's the Point?

It gets our minds out of the clouds and actually makes us THINK. Shakespeare's diction and syntax helps readers analyze, think critically, as well as abstractly. Sure, the language is difficult. But that's the point! It challenges us to analyze. While people work out in the gym to keep fit, what about a fit and healthy mind? The complexity of Shakespeare's works exercises our brain, which is just as important as exercising our body. His linguistic style - functional shift - excites brain activity in the hemisphere of the brain, and "...forces the brain to work backwards in order to fully understand what Shakespeare is trying to say" , according to researchers at Liverpool University. We're like detectives trying to put the pieces of a puzzle to understand the true meaning. Shakespeare also has the ability to summarize the range of different human emotions which makes his ancient works still so relevant to us today. Feelings of lust, jealousy, revenge, heartache are all in his different works and so readers today can still relate to it. Additionally he has revolutionized English literature and tragedy as well as transcending time and culture: our present stories are even based on Shakespeare in modern times, such as She's the Man (based on Twelfth Night), 10 Things I Hate About You (Taming of the Shrew) and West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet). Therefore, I do believe that Shakespeare does help us whether we notice it or not.

Shakespeare makes us branier!

Scene 2

my position on Shakespeare

I understand why the school thinks that it is important to study Hamlet. It has real life issues and can teach us a lot of life lessons. On the other hand I have been studying Shakespeare since grade eight and I have hated it every year. I think that it is completely over analyzed and teaches students to think too much about certain subjects. Our school system teaches us to make things so much  more complicated than they need to be. Is it possible that the author of any story didn't mean for the blue curtains to represent sorrow and that they were actually just blue? Life doesn't need to be so complicated all the time and I feel that although Shakespeare does have more complexity to it than most literary works, it is still over thought. I disagree with the way that its been taught and shoved down my throat for so many years. I think that there are many other books that can teach better life lessons than Shakespeare that can be more easily related to our lives. Schools just have gotten to the point where its become routine to do Shakespeare in EVERY English class I have been in since the seventh grade. I get the point. So does everyone else, he spoke in old English and used metaphors. I'm over it. I shouldn't have to learn a new language in order to get a good mark. If I wanted to get marked on a language I am not familiar with I wouldn't have dropped French the second I could. Again I do think that there are some benefits of reading Shakespeare, he is very talented and eloquent, however I think it should not be studied at the depth that we have been for so long.  I think the point for reading his plays is to have general knowledge of it and understand different times and literary devices used. But again, there are better ways we can apply our learning's in school to life than Shakespeare. I think it is over analyzed and that it is given a bit to much credit. I don't find it to be as amazing as everyone says it to be. Yes it is written well and he does have talent, but in my opinion-not as much as everyone else says he does.
 

Ophelia on Hamlet's Sulky Behaviour

     

Oh wherefore art thou Hamlet?  In response to my desire to hear of you again, I learn that your father has died and in his stead, your uncle has become King.  Oh poor Hamlet, if only it had ended there... but what is this I hear?  He has wed your mother?  Oh Hamlet, my poor poor Hamlet, you unfortunate soul!  You have every right to be sad and distraught, and yet you do not show it as much as you are feeling... Do you need a shoulder to cry on?  I'm sure mine would be much more comfortable than Horatio's... Why do you not come to see me?

Do you doubt that?  You mustn't question my feelings for they could not be more genuine!  If by any chance you have heard anything from my father or brother, disregard them!  I love you more than myself it seems, and I would do anything to have you by my side.  No matter what I have to do.  So Hamlet, let me console you... We shall face your problems together.  I shall rid you of the dark cloud that has been cast upon your heart, and bring light into your life again.  You poor soul...let you act upon your feelings or I shall upon mine... My Hamlet, come to me!              
Falling in Love

We make such a beautiful couple.

What's the Point??!!

What's the point? I mean, seriously, what do you as students actually get out of reading a play written 400 years ago? Is there any value to it? Shouldn't your teacher be focusing on your grammar, essay writing skills, or your ability to write a resume for your soon-to-be banking career?
Well, actually, there might be some value to studying Shakespeare. For one thing: it's hard! Trying to interpret meaning from unfamiliar language actually engages parts of your brain in ways that can be really useful. Moreover, Big Willy is talking about problems and ideas that are still relevant today: jealous, revenge, rejection, trying to figure out what our purpose is in what seems like a purposeless world. 
I can cite the studies that show the value of Shakespeare, or list off the many metaphors and words that he created and are still used today, but what does it matter if the man doesn't connect with today's reader? I think great art must be a reflection of our own reality and, with Hamlet, there's no better place to look for the dangers of jealousy, the pit-falls of self-doubt, the challenges of rising to the challenge. Just as Hamlet must come to terms with who he is in the face of overwhelming adversity, so must you as you prepare to enter adulthood. 
So that's my question for you in your next blog: Why are we doing this? Is there value to studying Hamlet , or are we simply conforming to an outdated view of education that is no longer relevant in the modern twitter-verse? Speak freely!

Dear Hamlet has been scorned. First he must grieve the loss of his high standing father. You would think that he would have had enough with the death alone but then for his uncle to wed his own mother. His father was not yet cold in the ground and as Hamlet said the food eaten at the wedding was the same as the funeral. It’s practically incest. I hope that seeing the ghost of his father will give him some insight into his death. The stress that has been put on him is far too immense for a man to handle. The brute Prince Fortinbras is just stirring the pot between Norway and Denmark.

Claudius - The new King and his marriage to Queen Gertrude

Wow, now I finally got what I wanted. I was waiting for this my whole life. My brother has always been the better boy in our family. My father loved him, everybody loved him. Furthermore, he even got the love of my life. That wasn’t fair. I know that Gertrude loved me more. The affair we had before King Hamlet died was just a pleasure and he STOLE HER! He always got what he wanted. Nobody CARED ABOUT ME. That’s the reason why I enjoyed killing him so much!!! I have planned this for so many years but I wasn’t sure if I am brave enough. I mean it is still my brother but when I saw him lying there, so peaceful, it was just a pleasure to put the poison in his ear. I was sick of being just the little brother of the awesome King Hamlet. Finally, I am King and everybody has to listen to me. Ahhh, I am just a genius; it was the perfect crime. Nobody saw me so there are no witnesses.

The only problem which doesn’t go away is this damn little Hamlet, this moody teenager. Can he please just die? Should I kill him too? Or What should I do with him? he goes to Germany he can built an army against me so he should stay here so I can keep an eye on him. “Keep the enemy close so you know their plan”. On the other side, I don’t really want to see him all the time. He hates me and I don’t want him to find out what I have done. I am going to keep my spies on him...

Claudius- The New King and his Marriage to Queen Gertrude

Finally everything is beginning to work out. My marriage to Gertrude went smoothly, I made a pretty incredible speech too if I say so myself. I knew she was in love with me when she was with my poor excuse for a brother. Wooing her into marrying me was pretty easy, pathetic woman. There is only one thing left to take care of. I knew he would be an issue since the moment he was born... Young Hamlet, what a brat. He made such a scene at my wedding and it made me look bad. Plus, Gertrude won't stop crying about her poor son and his "feelings". I'm going to have to keep an eye on him and make sure he stops acting out. He's an embarrassment and I will not have it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKHgwpAkeO0

 

 I just told young Hamlet about my marriage with his mother, I can tell he is not impressed but honestly, who cares. I'm king! I only married Gertrude so i could be king and have power. Its funny to think that people would think i actually love her. Even though Hamlet is not happy about our marriage its not like he can actually do anything about it, because he would just seem so selfish not wanting his mother to be happy after the horrible death of her husband. Imagine if she knew I murdered him, I don't think things would end very well.