Monthly Archives: July 2013

What does Hamlet Do?

Posted on July 29, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

One of the ongoing debates regarding Hamlet is whether or not Hamlet is, as many critics contend, Hamlet is “unable to make up his mind.”  In the mind of critics such as Coleridge and Goethe, Hamlet is a thinker, and … Continue reading →

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And now for something exceptionally beautiful

Posted on July 26, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

This is Anna Netrebko (apparently nicknamed La Bellisima by her fans) singing Quando m’en vo soletta from Puccini’s La Boheme. You’re welcome.

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Hamlet the Prince: Thoughts on the Royal Baby, the Lion King, and Hamlet

Posted on July 24, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

Ok, the royal baby has had his first photo op before his name.  Royals have different priorities than us mere mortals, I suppose.  Anyway, I wanted to talk about the royal baby (as well as the Lion King) and the … Continue reading →

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Lion King: Circle of Life

Posted on July 22, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

Since HRH the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son today, it seems appropriate to post the opening to The Lion King. Here’s hoping Harry proves a better uncle than Scar.  He can’t do any worse.  (Seriously, how … Continue reading →

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Hamlet the God: Bloom’s Poem Unlimited

Posted on July 19, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

I read Harold Bloom’s Hamlet: Poem Unlimited this weekend.  I was a little disappointed.  The problem with Harold Bloom’s book on Hamlet is that he is simply too enthralled with Hamlet’s character.  Indeed, he suggests that worship is the correct … Continue reading →

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Sir Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet: Men in Tights

Posted on July 14, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

Here are my thoughts on Sir Lawrence Olivier’s Hamlet. 1 We must begin with this. 2 Needless to say, this production is very much indebted to the realist movement.  It attempts to create period costumes for the movie, and the … Continue reading →

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Londoners Celebrating Andy Murray’s Win

Posted on July 9, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

I have been waiting a long time to do this post.  🙂 Needless to say, the mood in London over the past few days have been ecstatic.  Londoners have been eagerly celebrating Andy Murray’s triumph at Wimbledon.  Here are some … Continue reading →

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Andy Murray defeats his inner Hamlet

Posted on July 8, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

Andy Murray, of all members of the big four, is the one who has always been most similar to Hamlet.  Both men were haunted by ghosts.  Hamlet was haunted by the ghost of Hamlet, Andy Murray was haunted by the … Continue reading →

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Is Hamlet a Failed Play?

Posted on July 6, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

I just read a collection of literary criticism about the character of Hamlet.  By far the most intriguing piece of criticism was from TS Eliot. TS Eliot argues that Hamlet is a failed play.  He argues that Shakespeare wanted to … Continue reading →

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Gettysburg: 150 Years later (and not Fortinbras)

Posted on July 6, 2013 by emmasrandomthoughts

July 1st through 3rd marked the 150th anniversary of the end of the battle of Gettysburg. First of all, cheater!  There is a woman at the end of this video who is cheating!  She should be ashamed of herself. Second … Continue reading →

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