I understand that this blog post is meant to concentrate on the tragic end in Act V, but I simply couldn’t resist the opportunity to display my discoveries. In the back of our plays there is section titled, “Connections”. Rarely does any student dare to flip through these 40 pages, but some unexplainable force made me glimpse at the passages. Guess what I found, poems by MAYA ANGELOU (my poet for the research project). What an unlikely coincident I ran into. The poem that greatly resonated some key concepts and emotions of Hamlet was, “Mourning Grace”. The poem is reproduced below:

Mourning Grace

If today I follow death,
go down its trackless wastes,
salt my tongue on hardened tears
for my precious dear time’s a waste

race
along that promised cave
in a headlong
deadlong
haste,
Will you
have
the
grace
to mourn for
me?

The poem questions the reader if they will mourn for the person once they have died. It can be interpreted that the poem possesses a sucidical undertone as the person describes that they will “follow death” instead of death taking them. The poem is weighted down with sorrow, and the reader feels the raw emotion of the speaker. The reader can see the tears streaming down the blank face of the speaker.

This poem greatly relates to Hamlet. It perfectly illustrates the fustrations that Hamlet has when  he questions if there is any love in this world. The poem can be tied to Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” speech. In the speech, Hamlet wonders if he should take his own life, but then he realizes that the uncertainity of what is beyond life is too frigthening. The poem has the same element of uncertainity by questioning what should happen to the people that used to love the person. Also, King Hamlet’s death mirrors the issue in the poem. It seems that only Hamlet mourned after his father’s death, while everyone else quickly moves on. I could just imagine the ghost of King Hamlet reciting this poem to his once beloved Queen Gertrude. The poem in this case illustrates the way people quickly forget about the ones they used love once they have been buried.

“Mourning Grace” can be connected to Hamlet through numerous ways. Hence, the two are truly the epitome of intertextuality.

Is Hamlet really mad? Has he lost his mind as he plots to kill his uncle? Contrary to everyone’s opinion, I believe he has not. He witty remarks and smart plans prove that his not mad, he is only enraged. He states clever metaphors that not even a sane would come up with, and rarely can a sane person follow. For example, in Act 4, Scene I, Hamlet tells Rosencrantz that he is a “sponge…that soaks up the king’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities,”  (lines 12-16). My favorite comment is when Hamlet explains to the king that a beggar and a king have the same status after death, as a beggar may move through the stomach of a king. He says:

Your fat king and your

lean beggar is but variable service-two dishes, but to one

table. That’s the end.

A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and

eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.

Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress

through the guts of a beggar. (lines 24-32)

How can Hamlet be mad when he can outsmart even the king of Denmark? It is not his insanity that has lead to do things that are not acceptable, but his anger. He chooses the use madness as a cover. Though his disguise seems very believable, he is only creating his ingenious mask so that Claudius will not suspect his knowledge of the murder. And likewise, Claudius and Gertrude are so quick to believe that he is mad, so that they would not have to suspect the worse: Hamlet knowing the truth. Hamlet’s trick of madness has been lead on by his intentions as well as the king and queen deciding to play along. Hamlet is not mad in my mind’s eye, because he is timeless character that finds himself in a world of disorder. Everyone else is mad.

The actor’s speech in Act III, scene II is very powerful and can be translated into our own lives. It describes an interpretation on love, and how we act in the midst of it. It is brutally honest as it illustrates our heart’s intentions and how our emotions quickly change. The actor tells his beloved queen that we are governed by our impulses: the ideas that joy and grief bring.

            What to ourselves in passion we propose,           

            The passion ending, doth the purpose lose.

            The violence of either grief or joy

            Their own enactures with themselves destroy.

I believe this idea resonates in everyone’s life. There were numerous times that I did something, because at that moment I was happy or sad. However, when that feeling passed I had a different outlook on my actions.

For example, a person might stumble along a beautiful necklace for sale. They would be so thrilled that they found a gorgeous piece of jewelry that complimented them so wonderfully, that they would immediately swipe their credit card to purchase it. Once this feeling of overwhelming joy passed, (which usually occurred after they received the receipt) they would be disgusted at how rashly they acted. The idea of acting upon an overwhelming emotion, which eventually passes, can translate into many actions from ones as simple as buying jewelry to committing murder.

         And hitherto doth love on fortune tend,

         For who not needs shall never lack a friend,

         And who in want a hollow friend doth try,

         Directly seasons him his enemy.

In this part of the actor’s speech, he describes how our perception on love is distorted. Our friends are actually not true, as they are only inclined to be associated with you due to your social standing and personal achievements. No one can be trusted, because reality is greatly disfigured.

The irony of this whole speech is that it is relatable to every character. It not only applies to Gertrude, who is the reflection of the queen in the play, but to other characters. All of them are faced with deceit. Claudius is part of a scheming plan and cannot find trustful accomplices. Ophelia is being misguided through the love she followed upon a brief moment of joy. And even Hamlet, the creator of the speech, is losing friends and family to twisted lies. All of the relationships are completely fake, because everyone possesses a different face beneath their mask. The speech beautifully summarizes the key concepts of Shakespeare’s play. It tells the truth behind joy and grief, love and relationships, and friends and foes.

Even though the play has just spiced up, we have already been introduced to all of the pivotal characters. We know everyone’s personality and nature. But it troubles me that the women are so poorly represented. I understand that while Shakespeare was locked in his chamber, writing the tragedy, Hamlet, men in the streets below him were suppressing women. However, reading the play with the modern mindset I possess, I cannot help but be disgusted by this ill portrayal. Ophelia is a weak and frail character. The sight of Hamlet’s “doublet all unbraced, no hat upon his head, [and] his stockings fouled” causes her to senselessly overreact. It was as if she had seen a ghost! She is too weak for my liking. Though it is customary for a daughter to obey her father and superiors, Ophelia steps beyond those traditional duties by allowing her heart to be oppressed. She lacks a sense of worthiness, as she runs to her father with pathetic tears streaming down her face. Queen Gertrude is another character that is weakened through Shakespeare’s writing. She is depicted as an evil monster for being a terrible mother to Hamlet. She can never be viewed as a woman who wants to grant her happiness through her own independent means. Instead, she runs to another wealthy and powerful man who will bring her comfort. It seems that it is more important for her to keep her coin purse full, rather than her heart. Gertrude and her new beloved husband are both foully depicted as lacking morals. Gertrude can only be one of two things: an evil person, or a helpless one. She is either assisting her husband/brother-in-law in a scheming plan, or she is trapped by his threatening words. Despite the truth behind her nature, she has tangled herself into a web of misconceptions. Shakespeare masterfully keeps true to the time period as he honestly portrays the stereotypical women: the damsel in distress, and the wicked witch.       

Hamlet’s two soliloquies mark a change in his outlook upon his uncle and mother. In the first soliloquy he expresses his hatred for them, because they have married each other shortly after his father’s death. Hamlet is perplexed by the situation, and is disgusted at how quickly they forgot about King Hamlet’s power and importance. He is appalled that his mother can move on so easily. This first soliloquy introduces Hamlet and his true feelings. He is saddened and angered by the recent death of his father and his mother’s new marriage. The soliloquy shows that he is in a state of rage from the beginning of the play.

His second soliloquy illustrates a different attitude towards his mother and uncle. Even though his attitude is still aggressive, he now has logical reason to hate them, which goes beyond his disgust for their physical relationship. Because Hamlet possessed strong hatred for his uncle, he was able to quickly believe a mythical ghost. He was so angry that he was willing to accept anything that would proof his uncle of being a criminal, even if the evidence was provided from a ghost. 

In the kingdom, Hamlet is the only one that actively expresses his anger towards the new King. Everyone else is afraid to pursue the same actions as Hamlet, because Claudius towers powerfully above them. When the king celebrates his wedding, everyone joins him. They all follow the king in his drinking and dancing endeavors. They “dare not disturb the universe”. This difference between Hamlet and the rest of the characters foreshadows the difficulty that Hamlet will encounter when trying to destroy his uncle. No one will want to align themselves with Hamlet over the powerful king.  

A Dedication to Mr. Hendershot

A month ago I was assigned to create an attractive blog on a modern poet of my choice. Some may say that I was very egocentric for choosing a poet who shares my name. Even though that may have been my primary purpose, I have managed to learn a lot about another phenomenal Maya. Blogging has been extremely enthralling and fascinating. It was a creative way to learn more about a topic I knew little of. Now I am officially part of the constantly expanding Blogosphere, by contributing my widely desired knowledge. 

I must admit that it was difficult to find blogs that have “substance”. Very few people are interested in writing about poets and their poems in the blogosphere. The only references I could find were strange people incorporating short comments about how much they like a certain poem for some odd reason. It was also very difficult to add humor and write more informally. After Mrs. Hazle used Bryan’s blog as an example of the perfect eye-catching blog, I was completely intimidated. Mrs. Hazle had effectively scared us at the beginning of the year to always include analytical, and often boring theses, topic sentences, and a plethora of supporting evidence. How was I to diverge from my embedded route? So Mrs. Hazle, I apologize for the boringness of my blog. Just consider it as an example of your powerful influence to write papers rather than another “perfect” blog. Overall, working with the blogs was extremely exciting. It was not as stressful as the fall research paper, and it was fun to see my classmate’s blogs and learn more about their poets. I know that Mr. Hendershot must also have been extremely eager to engineer the major project. Kudos to you, Mr. Hendershot, and congrats on a job well done.  I really liked this project, because I feel that my understanding for modern poetry was grown.

My Comments

http://bridgetegr1.edublogs.org/2009/03/11/01/#comment-2

http://laurenegr1.edublogs.org/2009/03/09/langston-hughes/#comment-4

http://harlemrenaissancejenkins.blogspot.com/2008/05/maya-angelou.html

• This comment is about the similarities between Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes. The blog itself did not make that connection, but it did talk about the writers.

http://runningintolawschool.blogspot.com/2009/03/maya-angelou.html

• This comment is on Maya Angelou and feminism. The blog talked about the captivating speech Angelou gave at a feminist conference. The blog states that she is an amazing person, and not necessarily a feminist.

When You And I Come Near

People look

And gaze

And whisper

And shhh.

They look at you

and me

With their beady eyes

And their crooked smiles.

They gaze at your torn coat

And my unpolished shoes

With their empty eyes

And their barren smiles.

They whisper about your messy hair

And my missing buttons

With their gesturing eyes

And their untamed smiles.

They shhh when you

and I are near

With their eyes closed

And their smiles gone.

      Maya Angelou was influenced by Langston Hughes. They were both great African-American poets who used their verses to display the discrimination that they faced.

      For some time they both lived Harlem and were involved in the Harlem Renaissance. Their poetry conveyed the struggles of African Americans and they expressed their attitudes toward discrimination. Their writings greatly contributed to the development of the Harlem Renaissance and to the Civil Rights Movement. An article mentions that Langston Hughes was “particularly known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties. (…) His life and work were enormously important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s.” An online blog stated that Maya Angelou’s poetry expresses; “that [African Americans] wanted to experience America the way it should be instead of being discriminated against because they were the same color as ‘Normal Americans’.” It also stated a similar description of Langston Hughes: “He is proud to be the person and the color that he is. This embodies the time period because many people were feeling the same way, they wanted their race and heritage to be important in American society.” This blog noted the similarity between Hughes and Angelou. These observations can be used to note the influence of Langston Hughes over Maya Angelou.

      The poets also had similar styles. They both used simple language and sometimes incorporated black dialect into their poetry. An online article states that,

“[Langston had a] straightforward and rhythmic approach to poetry. Hughes coined the name Jesse B. Simple to refer to his style, in essence, just be simple and tell it like it is. Supporters of Hughes work insisted that his writing demonstrated that poetry need not be complex to be great. His many metaphors on the life of the black people can be found throughout his work, each dealing with poverty and racism with humor, honesty and determination.”

      The same article noted that:

“Maya Angelou’s poetry is known for its raw emotion and its ability to speak directly to the human heart, with some of the same rhythmic feelings that appear in the work of Langston Hughes.”

      Maya Angelou even wrote an Introduction for one of Langston Hughes’ novels, Not Without Laughter. She incorporated her experiences and knowledge of Langston Hughes to contribute more to his work. On the cover she states, “Acutely, timely and painfully urgent… This reprint has come on time.”

      Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes were great American poets.  They skillfully used their talents to make a person feel hurt that accompanies discrimination.

Works Cited:

http://www.miamipoetryreview.com/2006/12/maya-angelou-profile011206.html

http://www.miamipoetryreview.com/2006/12/langston-hughes-profile011206.html

http://harlemrenaissancejenkins.blogspot.com/2008/05/maya-angelou.html

http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-poems-america.htm

      Maya Angelou mostly writes from her experiences and was mainly influenced by political figures such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Even though Emily Dickinson did not directly influence her, both of their poetry has feminist elements. They ventured out into the unknown by trying new things in poetry. As Feminists they explored new topics and ways of expression. Maya Angelou tended to stress the discrimination against African American women. The online article notes:

“Scholars have asserted that Angelou’s struggle to create a sense of identity and self-acceptance in both her poetry and prose aligns her firmly within the feminist literary tradition.”

     Emily Dickinson poetically expressed her opinions on a woman’s role in society. Another article states:

“Feminist scholars have identified a number of Dickinson’s poems which directly comment upon the role and experiences of women within a repressive patriarchal order. In addition, some of these  critics have suggested that many more poems can be interpreted as the poet’s opinion of gender issues if one were to assume that the speaker in each verse is a female.”

      Even though they lived decades apart, both writers were suppressed by society due to their gender. Emily Dickinson was considered incompetent to write poetry, because she was a woman. Her modern style was not expectable, especially because she was supposed to be an obedient woman. Maya Angelou fought against similar oppressive views that also categorized the twentieth century. Her society believed that she was not supposed to go beyond her designated duties by following her passions. However, both women were very persistent in continuing to write which led to their world-renowned success. They are now considered to be great American poets.

      Maya Angelou and Emily Dickinson went through a period of silence. They both were shy women who tend to distance themselves from others. Emily Dickinson lived in an isolated environment most of her life. And Maya Angelou literally was silent for 5 years by refusing to speak. The two women used writing as an escape mechanism. Emily Dickinson, “used language as a means of rebellion.,” which added “to her importance to later writers” Angelou and Dickinson expressed their sealed emotions through poetry.

      In Dickinson’s poem, “I Dwell in Possibility-”, she describes the opportunities she seizes. As a woman she is denied these choices, but through this poem she expresses her endless possibilities. “Theme of empowerment has been detected in Poem 657 (“I dwell in Possibility-”), which many critics have maintained is a commentary on the ability of the female artist to subvert the oppressive limitations of the patriarchal order through the transcendental power of poetry.”

I dwell in Possibility–
A fairer House than Prose–
More numerous of Windows–
Superior–for Doors–

Of Chambers as the Cedars–
Impregnable of Eye–
And for an Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky–

Of Visitors–the fairest–
For Occupation–This–
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise–

      Maya Angelou’s poetry more clearly exhibits the oppression of women. In her poem, “Still I Rise” she powerfully explains the hope and spirit she still possesses after being suppressed by society. “R. B. Stepto has noted the strong female presence in poems such as “Still I Rise,” commenting that ‘the ‘I’ of Angelou’s refrain is obviously female and … a woman forthright about the sexual nuances of personal and social struggle.’” The bottom four lines clearly express a woman’s struggle and her undying spirit.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

 Works Cited:

http://www.enotes.com/feminism-literature/dickinson-emily

http://www.enotes.com/feminism-literature/angelou-maya

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
the swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 

Men themselves have wondered
what they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
 

Now you understand
just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
the need for my care.
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Maya Angelou’s poem, “Phenomenal Woman”, is a compelling form of art. Angelou tends to write about topics that are often disregarded and unexplored by others. Her poem illustrates the love a woman has for herself even though she isn’t considered beautiful. The language and tone indicate that the speaker was abused. Her pride has risen from the torture and neglect she experienced. Instead of being ashamed and blaming herself, she has gained hope.

The scholarly essay by Kelly Holland Cecil analyzes the key concepts of the poem and notes Angelou’s inspiration and the general patterns that can be found throughout her poetry. Cecil notes the generalization of Angelou’s usage of personal experience and history, “Much of Angelou’s poetry, almost entirely short lyrics, expresses in strong, often jazzy rhythms, themes common to the life experiences of many American blacks – discrimination, exploitation, being on welfare. Other poems deal with social issues and problems which, though not unique to blacks, are explored from a black perspective.”

In my own analysis I discovered that Maya Angelou mostly writes from experience, and this poem falls perfectly in that category. She faced constant discrimination as a woman, particularly an African American woman. She also thought that she was never terribly pretty. She allowed this dissatisfaction to grow, but when she became older she killed it with the sense of pride she gained. As a child, Angelou was sexually abused. When she told her family about the terrible occurrence, the man was killed. She chose to remain silent for the next five years, because she believed that her words had killed the man. Her silence has taught her the power and capabilities that words possess, and she clearly evokes that notion in this poem. Though she was abused as a child, she has grown into a talented woman. Kelly Cecil writes, “The persona in this poem is a strong, confident woman.  Lyman B. Hagen states, ‘The woman described is easily matched to the author herself.  Angelou is an imposing woman– at least six feet tall.  She has a strong personality and a compelling presence as defined in the poem’.” This poem can closely relate to the pride she has found by loving herself regardless of what others think.   

The poem uses a repetitive pattern in each stanza. Angelou starts the stanza with a description of someone’s reaction to the woman as they notice her. The reactions are all categorized by wonderment. They question why she is so happy and what others see in her. The stanzas continue by developing the persona. The person is described as a vivacious woman. Kelly Cecil describes Angelou’s purpose for her descriptions by stating: “She uses such imagery so that the proud, confident persona can be better understood.” The descriptions contribute to the way the person sees herself: as a beautiful woman. Each stanza ends with the same four lines. Cecil notes; “Maya Angelou uses repetition in this poem to stress certain phrases.  An example of this is ‘I’m a woman / Phenomenally. / Phenomenal woman, / That’s me’.” They reassure the reader that the person described loves who is she by restating that she is a phenomenal woman.

Angelou gives the feeling of a hidden frustration and anger at the men and women who question the subject’s self-confidence. But overall Maya Angelou gives praise to the woman who loves herself.

   Sources:

http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/canam/angelou.htm