In Search Of

Watching the video about filter bubbles scared me a little bit, it made me worry that when i search for things im not finding what I really want. Especially knowing what the people in my family often search for on the internet makes me worry that the results I get when I google things are completely off from what I'm looking for. I also felt invaded by Google, that they constantly know what I'm searching for and my location, it's unsettling and I realized I have no privacy when it comes to the internet and I can be targeted by certain advertizers.
So to make my search on Shakespeare more fair and widespread, I used a different search engine that doesn't use filters and checked multiple, trustworthy websites. When I did use Google I looked at websites that gave a full spectrum of information, not just one-sided arguments.

Notes on Hamlet

When we first started reading Hamlet I let what I had previously heard about the novel influence my predictions and understanding, I assumed Hamlet was a mad man and nothing else. But as we read further I developed my own opinions and understanding. Hamlet, in no way shape or form is mad. He was just told by the ghost of his father that his father has been murdered by his own brother, Claudius,  and that Hamlet must kill Claudius! Hamlet's mother shows no sadness about the death of her husband and in a matter of weeks jumped into bed with the man who killed him and Hamlet is the only one who knows the truth! On top of that the king is sending people to spy on Hamlet and get information from him, Hamlet doesn't know who to trust and doesn't want anything to do with anyone in the castle, except Ophelia who he's madly in love with. And as the saying goes, "love is temporary insanity." But, Hamlet's not insane, he's paranoid and scared as he rightfully should be! As the story went on I started to put myself in Hamlet's position more and more, and all of my thoughts changed when I did that.

Don't be Hamlet

Hamlet definitely has a diemma on his hands, whether he should "suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or take arms against a sea of troubles." He is debating, in the to be or not to be silliloquy, whether to end his life or deal with his problems. But is he really debating? No, his decision to kill Claudius has already been made, we know this from his decision to continue on with the play. In his speech he is simply pondering, almost phillisopically, about life the difficulty of it. Why anyone would suffer the "whips and scorns of time." But, if he is truely consumed by the idea of ending his own life I would give him this advice; Kill your uncle, then see what happens from there. See if you can work things out with your mother and Ophelia, if you can, great. If not, then go ahead and take your life, your going to hell for murder anyways. So whats the problem?

Who was Shakespeare

Shakespeare is considered the father of English literature, no one has ever produced works like his, and he has produced at astounding number of plays, sonnets, and poems. He lived a pretty normal home life but not much information about his private life is known, although his sexuality and religious beliefs have often been questioned. Shakespeare has also been accused of not actualy writting his works, it is believed by some that he took credit for works of literature that he did not write.
Students, like myself, approach Shakespeare with fear, and respect. When I first started on Shakespeare I thought he was overrated and cliche, it wasn't until I read his works furthure that I realized what everyone else eventually does, he was brilliant, philisophical, and different than any other writer of his time, or any.

To Facebook or not to Facebook

Personally, I think facebook is an excellent way to communicate, connect, and reconnect with people in your life or those that were in your life. It's a simpler way to communicate for those that are mature enough to handle it. No one with out a basic understanding of how the internet works, how companies will bombard you with ads, and what's safe on the internet should be on facebook, particularly young kids. The only people kids should need to connect with in their life is friends from school and family, no child has old colleagues they want to check up on. Using facebook to connect with family far away is understandable, but a telephone or skype is a much more practicle tool to use at such a young age. The internet is filled with inappropriate things, creeps, and ads that most kids aren't savvy enough to understand or avoid. But I believe the worst part of having kids on facebook is the fact that they don't realize the severity and importance of what they put online. They don't realize it's on the internet forever and is there for everyone to see. Privacy settings are often ignored by kids and therefore all their information is out, not only for advertizers but for everyone, creeps included.

Death of a Salesman

Willy Loman is a salesmen who's about to loose his job. His life is going down the toilet, he can't pay his bills and is completly disrespected by his dead beat kids Biff and Happy. Throught out the story he reflects on his life and his mistakes and ways he could make things up to his family.

Betrayal is a major theme in Death of a Salesman, Willy enters into an affair and completely betrays his wife Linda and sons. But ironically Willys biggest fear is being betrayed. He thinks Biff is vindictive, failing at his buisness to reject his father's dream, and his failure to keep a job is all related to the affair and Willy's betrayal of his family.

The tone is caring and genuine when diricted at Willy's problems, but often times can be satirical.

The diction and syntax are what make the play more realistic, flashbacks also make the characters more relateable.