https://padlet.com/cassie_polasek/kpvyrrnnelrq Title your comment as: <<1st CassieP. >>Listen to the Hamlet Act V podcast. Comment either afterward or as you listen to the story. Your comments should focus on how the podcast challenges or develops your understanding of major themes, characters, and conflicts from Hamlet. You might also discuss connections you see between Hamlet and your own life and current events in our world. en-us 2018-03-26 14:34:41 UTC 2019-05-22 12:43:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.storage.googleapis.com/portrait/notebook.jpg https://padlet.com/cassie_polasek/kpvyrrnnelrq/wish/248479254 The podcast provides a unique perspective on the play as well as the major themes. By giving a chance to prisoners who have committed crimes such as killing someone, just as Claudius and Hamlet has done, it gives the play a new perspective-- a new reality. The prisoners who were playing the different characters, as they have reflected, were able to connect with them in one way or another. While most feels a connection to Hamlet and Claudius, some felt a connection to the characters that these characters have murdered. One of the inmates was talking about how the person they have committed the crime against was trying to talk to them, they were haunting them just as older Hamlet's ghost was haunting Hamlet, encouraging him to avenge his death. It was also an interesting thing to think about how the inmates had to express their emotions to get into character; opposite to hiding their feelings/emotions and acting tough to survive in a prison. As the inmates reflected, the play gave them a sense of freedom, a new reality that they could connect to and feel a sense of belonging. 

 ]]> 2018-04-04 13:26:15 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_polasek/kpvyrrnnelrq/wish/248479254 https://padlet.com/cassie_polasek/kpvyrrnnelrq/wish/249608830 Listening to this podcast not only developed my understanding for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but also my appreciation for its plot, characters, and theme. The thematic question I developed why reading Hamlet was, “Is taking revenge worth the hardships it may cause?” While I would automatically respond with a "no" to this question, hearing the prisoner’s connections with the character’s in the play further solidified my answer. Most of the cast explained their deep connection to the characters, and how they use their regretful memories of times in which they acted out of vengeance to understand and become their assigned character. One part of most interesting parts on the podcast, in my opinion, was when Danny Whaller, the man playing the Ghost, explained that his part in the play helped him understand himself more. He explained how he had killed someone and how he felt the ghost was that person's whom of which he had murdered. This caused him to grow and realize he wanted to be a much better person. This theme of using the play and their opportunity to act as a way of maturing was a common theme amongst the prisoners. By having the opportunity to participate in such an event provided them not only sanity and happiness, but also a feeling of hope. The cast realized that they are more than just prisoners, and seeking more opportunities similar playing in this play, they became much more motivated and determined to be better people and have a better future. They play meant a lot to the prisoners, and the audience was also impacted. The fact that the actors had been in the same or similar situations as the characters made their acting much more real, making the play even more impactful and understandable to the audience.

]]> 2018-04-09 01:08:14 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_polasek/kpvyrrnnelrq/wish/249608830 https://padlet.com/cassie_polasek/kpvyrrnnelrq/wish/362515871 This podcast opened my eyes to a new perspective of Hamlet that I would have never even thought of. Even though Hamlet connected Denmark to a prison, I never actually thought about connecting criminals to the play, but this podcast allowed that to happen. One of the main things that stood out to me was how the scene where Claudius is asking for forgiveness in the chapel was discussed. I believe the director said she felt like crying because she believed that the other actors could connect to how Claudius felt. Most of them regretted their decision to go through with their crime and have felt like they have changed for the better, which is something that Claudius went through in that scene. The thought of going through with the crime or not going through with it was always a dilemma for Hamlet as well as some of the actors. However, “Big Hutch” couldn’t understand this dilemma and felt that Hamlet was going to do it anyway to avenge his father. This is an interesting perspective because many people go back and forth on major decisions, but this actor would have been certain with his decision and would have done it without everything in between. Overall, the criminals were able to add something new to their performance based on their experiences. ]]> 2019-05-22 12:43:58 UTC https://padlet.com/cassie_polasek/kpvyrrnnelrq/wish/362515871