Service Learning Visit 2

This visit was harder than last time's visit for my group. They were definitely more comfortable around us which contributed to a more unsettled environment. Kids who where eager to write paragraphs last time where way more reluctant this time around. Overall last time the kids where a lot slower in doing their work and the mistake we made this time was telling them that the crafts where saved for after we write our paragraphs. Naturally, they rushed their exercises to get to the crafts. This put us a little ahead of schedule compared to last visit which was perfect time wise. There is also one girl in our group that likes to do as she pleases. For example, she decided to draw a city instead of a picture of her family, and I had to kind of stern with her and make sure she understands that it's important that we get to our goals.  Those where the only challenges we had, which compared to other groups is very minimal. I think that the biggest victory this visit was that the paragraphs the kids wrote where actually really good. It took a little to get them to really get the idea of what to write about. At first they only wrote about their parents and then after we observed their writing, we made them go back and incorporate things about all of their family members. Once they had a good idea of what to write about, they did a relatively good job writing their paragraphs. Their sentence fluidity was much better, and some wrote a lot more than the the paragraph from last visit. I think that overall the positives are a lot more than the negatives. I think that once we establish that relationship where they are comfortable around us while also recognizing our authority.

"To be or not to be" Blog

Hamlet's soliloquy is pretty much a back and forth internal conflict Hamlet has wether or not he should commit suicide. He describes his battles between, "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" (3.1.66). He argues that we can just end all the pain, however we don't because we are fearful and scared of the unknown. I think that in most scenarios that no one should commit suicide. It shows weakness and a lack of faith. You must believe that things will get better and eventually it will. To end your suffering is to give up; and its never okay to give up. Hamlet explains, "Or to take arms against a sea of troubles/And,by opposing, end them" (3.1. 67). Why should one forfeit the battle when there is a chance of winning. Sometimes, the outcome is clear and that is the one exception in my opinion. In reference to a more modern situation. If someone has for example cancer, is in a state where they are half dead, old age has consumed them, and they only have a week to live, then one can say that it really may be best for that person to end the suffering. The chances of recovery for someone in that situation is near impossible, but that's really not the situation in Hamlet's case. I think that if heaven and hell really do exist, then we should take advantage of all the time we have on earth to maximize our opportunity to go to heaven. Hamlet may be in a place that most people really don't even imagine, but it's testing Hamlet's strength. He must prove himself not coward away, as he describes.

Polonius

I am suspicious of Polonius and his keen manipulation, or more like control. He's the right hand man of Claudius which makes it unusual for him not to be skeptical of King Hamlet's sudden death. Therefore, I presume that Polonius is in fact involved in the death of Hamlet. His behavior makes me view him negatively. He seems to be fearful of many things, such as his family name and how Laertes behaves as he demonstrates when he says to Ophelia, "you'll tender me a fool" (1.3.118). However, at the same time he takes advantage of people and tries to be someone who wants to make everyone happy, like Claudius. These are contradicting actions, therefore I predict that Polonius is selfish. Yet, being unpleasant to Claudius will not raise his advantages. For example, he uses Ophelia to perhaps gain recognition if they marry or even inherit some money. His intentions are not very clear, but assumptions can be made. He is very demanding and controlling. He is determined to monitor his son's behavior or reputation. The information he seeks is not obtained through communication with his son though. He sends someone to in a sense spy on him and ask around about his actions. We can analyze a lot about Polonius himself through his actions. He exclaims, "And there put on him what forgeries you please- marry, none so rank as may dishonor him, take heed of that" (2.1.22). Polonius is so detailed in his instructions to Reynaldo, the spy, that it makes the reader wonder why he is so thorough. This knowledge is only obtained with experience so one can predict that this is not the first time he has spied on someone. He can probably get whatever he wants and needs through these sources. His actions prove him to be untrustworthy of his kids. They should be old enough to be able to take care of themselves without their father monitoring their moves. He is concerned with his reputation rather than the happiness of his kids. I wonder that if Ophelia was madly in love with Hamlet and Polonius knew then would he let Ophelia be with Hamlet just for the sake of her happiness. He also gives Laertes his consent to travel but it is more of a test to Laertes to see if he is capable of this freedom. I value the concept of trust and if my parent would not be able to trust me, especially after years of learning from them, then I think that Polonius is one to not be trusted as well. How I view this is that if someone made bad choices in their earlier years, then when they have kids they are more protective of them since they do not want them to end up like they did. Therefore, one can conclude that Polonius may have done bad things that he either does not want his children doing or his children finding out. I would feel unfortunate if he was my father, because he favors his son over his daughter. This was clear when he warned his daughter not to ruin the family name but just told his son to be true to himself and be wise (2.1). I understand that in those times it was usual for sexism to take place within the family, but that does not make it acceptable and it gives Polonius an even larger negative connotation.