"I see a cherub. . . "
Tonight's blog will ask you to answer a simple question:
When Hamlet finds he is being shipped to England. He replies, "Good." Claudius replies "So is it, if thou knew'st our purposes." Claudius knows full well what he has in store for Hamlet.
Hamlet replies, "I see a cherub that sees them." Hamlet knows full well what Claudius has in store for him. The question is, how?
What exactly is Hamlet's "cherub"? His "angel of knowledge," so to speak. Reply with your thoughts. Is it the ghost? His mom? His own innate talent? Explain your answer and consider your classmates' points of view.
Replies are due by 730 AM Tuesday.
Be Brilliant!
When Hamlet finds he is being shipped to England. He replies, "Good." Claudius replies "So is it, if thou knew'st our purposes." Claudius knows full well what he has in store for Hamlet.
Hamlet replies, "I see a cherub that sees them." Hamlet knows full well what Claudius has in store for him. The question is, how?
What exactly is Hamlet's "cherub"? His "angel of knowledge," so to speak. Reply with your thoughts. Is it the ghost? His mom? His own innate talent? Explain your answer and consider your classmates' points of view.
Replies are due by 730 AM Tuesday.
Be Brilliant!
posted by Ian Anthony Godburn at 6:10 PM
33 Comments:
Obviously Hamlet knows that Claudius is planning on killing him. I think when Hamlet mentions his "cherub", i think it's just a notion that he has a weapon too. Not a real weapon but something to fight back with, possibly a plan, help from another character, ect. I don't know exactly. But something of that sort.
Ariyani Wray
Per. 6
DON'T SUBMIT COMMENTS MORE THAN ONCE UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO SAY!!!! ok-bye
I think that his Cherub is the ghost even though I'm probably wrong. Hamlet knows why Claudius wants him to leave. But Hamlet wants to kill Claudius because of his father's death, so his dad is probably the 'angel.'
the end
Dani Schwartz
Period 6!
Shanley Wang
Period 6
Hamlet's cherub cannot be the ghost, for the ghost is the exact opposite of an angel.
Hamlet's cherub could be the discovery (and slaughter) of Polonius, or even Horatio, because he easily realizes everything that happens after the play. After the affirmation of Claudius' guilt, Hamlet only needs to look at Claudius' next target using logic.
As an intellectual, Hamlet arrives at discoveries using logic.
I believe that Hamlet's "cherub" is his own brilliance that is far superior than that of everyone else in the play. He can almost persieve things before they even happen and just play everyone like his pawns. Then again it is kinda obvious if someone wants to get rid of you they might try to kill him, and Hamlet would figure that out easily.
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In my opinion, it is simply that Hamlet is much smarter than anyone else in this play. Cladius has been underestimating Hamlet since the beginning and i believe Hamlet has basically included Cladius trying to get rid of him somewhere into his complex plan. If he hasn't included that, I wonder what he was thinking to not do so.
Michael Tarlow Per. 6
"Can't Stop! Music!"
I think that Hamet figures it out himself. Hamlet always seems to be a step ahead of everyone. that is what i think but then again it could be horatio because if he really is playing the role of the audiance reading the book then he could have told Hamlet of the plans his uncle has. thats probably too far fetched though.
Sami Gross
Per 4
I think that Hamlet's "cherub" of angel of knowledge is a mix of is own innate knowledge and talent for deducing combine with sort of his father's spirit in his heart guiding him through life at this time.
-masha telishevsky
period 6
Hamlet know what Claudius has in store for him because of his own innate talent. Hamlet is smarter than Claudius and the rest of the characters and he is always one step ahead of the game.
Jordan Rothstein
I think that Hamlet knew of Claudius' plan to kill him in England because Hamlet is just that smart. In the play there is no scene of the ghost telling Hamlet about his uncle's plans, so that one is ruled out. It is common sense that after the play hamlet wrote Claudius would want Hamlet gone. Why he is waiting to do it in England is probablly because Denmark is too dangerous of a place for that. Claudius is already treading on thin ice because of Hamlet's play and any questions it might arise, so Hamlet's sudden death would make him look even more suspicious. Plus Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are not the two most faithful people in the world and would do whatever Claudius told them to do.
hamlet knows what claudius has in store for him because he way smarter than claudius...honestly...if anyone can act crazy and keep their sanity the entire time is brilliant in my book...i mean he's being sent away because claudius is threatened by him, yes there is the whole guilt factor... but we all know hamlet gone will just make the guilt bigger
hamlets cherub is his dad's knowledge and his little act of innosence in the whole situation...everyone thinks that he's just lost it...but he really knows exactly what he's doing
~erin carmody~
It is obvious that Hamlet knows what Claudius has in store for him as Evan G. said. Hamlet is being sent away so that he is not in Denmark anymore and so Claudius can move on with kingship. Hamlet is no dumby, as he knows exactly what is going on. answer: Hamlet's own innate talent.
peace.... Jason Cordova per.4
I think just out of Hamlets own genius intuition alone does he enable himself to know such things. he is very aware of his surroundings in every situation he gets himself into so i am positive he can figure out his purpose in England.
-Emily Gold period 4
To me, it is pretty obvious that Hamlet knows what is going on all on his own. I agree with Sam about how Hamlet knows what Claudius did, and Claudius knows that Hamlet's knows, and now Hamlet is just being extremely paranoid. The definition of cherub is an order of angels. His cherub cannot be the queen or Rosencrantz or Guildenstern or anyone like that because they are all living. The cherub COULD be the ghost because it just makes sense, and it could be Polonius because he is old dead (but nobody really cares about what he has to say...). I believe that Hamlet is smart enough to figure out that Claudius doesn't want Hamlet around anymore because he is afraid of his secret being known.
- Shane Z.
Period 4
I think that surely Hamlet
would know that his uncle
wants to kill him becuase
he would not just send him
to England unless he sends
for diplomatic reasons, but
I think that Hamlet might be
able to counter it.
David Betshmuel
Per 4
I don't think it takes much skill in realizing that they both want to kill each other. The Claudmeister knows Hamlet knows his bad deed, and Hamlet knows that Claudius knows he knows (if ya know what i mean. At this point, the game is just to see who can kill who first. The cherub is probably the ghost, because the ghost "sees them."
Adam Jacobs per 6 I am the hamster king
I think its been made pretty clear that Hamlet is brilliant just by the fact that he can manipulate anyone that he perceives as a threat. That being said, I think Hamlet knows whats in store for him because simply because he is so smart and clever.
Tori Cusick, period 4
Hamlet knows that Claudius is going to try and kill him because Hamlet is smarter than the foolish Claudius. When Hamlet talks about his Cherub because he is referring to his intelligence. He may use it to be one step ahead of Claudius like he has done in the past.
Hamlet knows that Claudius is going to try and kill him because Hamlet is smarter than the foolish Claudius. When Hamlet talks about his Cherub because he is referring to his intelligence. He may use it to be one step ahead of Claudius like he has done in the past.
-Russell Tuchman
-Per. 4
Bradley Goran-- Period 6
Hamlet's cherub is his brain. His inate ability to comprehend the situation presented to him has put him in a much better position than otherwise possible. He let his heart get the best of him in act III and saw his plans basically crumble. However, because Hamlet has acknowledged the fact that he must use his intelligence tobeat Claudius he still can beat him, even if his situation looks dire at the moment.
Don't 4get to wear red tmrw bte vry1!
Hamlet is a friggin genius. Throughout the whoooooole entire play Hamlet is workin everybody (except Horatio). He manipulates almost everyone who talks to him. And even when hes arguing and manipulating his mother, he kills Piolonius and gets away with it. Is that possible? Well to answer your question: Yes, Hamlet is his own cherub. His keen intellect and his ability to understand a situation after first sight is impecable. Its fairly obvious that he knows what Claudius is up too, because he knows the way Claudius thinks and goes about doing what he's thinking. All in all, Hamlet is a Player Pimp. (player pimp is a double meaning, see if you can figure it out)
Miles Silverstein
Period 6
Class: Hamlet, Hamlet, and more Hamlet.
Hamlet knows what Claudius is planning to do because throghout the whole play Hamlet has always been a step ahead of Claudius. Hamlet knows that Claudius is up to something because he knows that there is no other reason for Claudius to be in such a rush to get Hamlet out of Denmark.
Elijah Parris Per.4
Sami Gross makes an interesting statement. I'm not sure if its true though but if Horatio does act as the audience then that would fit perfectly.
What I think: Looking back on previous events, Hamlet has been able to figure a lot of things out on his own without any help that we may know of. Hamlet is basically on his own with his mission except for Horatio, but mostly he is on his own. He is suspicious of everything. In Act I, he doesn't believe Horatio is there for the funeral. Hamlet figures out that Rosencratz and Guildenstern were sent by the king. Hamlet figures out Ophelia is being used by Claudius and Polonius. As Mr. G was saying, Hamlet is "back on the ball" with his wit and slyness. Its Physics, you hit the wall, the wall hits you back. Your action has a reaction, which Hamlet must have seen coming. I agree with Chanley, its logic.
On top of that, Hamlet just killed Claudius's right hand man. You don't just get away clean for that no matter how much of a raving lunatic you are.
Norbert Per 6. (in case you forgot)
Hamlet knows what Claudius is planning for him using pure logic. Hamlet knows now that Claudius is aware of him knowing the truth behind Old Hamlets death and would do anything to shut him up. And his cherub is his own innate talent.
Phillip Wang
period 4
Hamlet knows what claudius' "purposes" are because from the way they speak and interact with each other. Hamlet knows that Clauidus has found out that Hamlet knows his father was murdered. It is no surprise to Hamlet that Claudius now wants to send him away. Hamlet is fully aware of Claudius' intentions to send him to England and Hamlet himself has a plan to overcome that.
Hamlet knows that Claudius has something in store for him. Hamlet knows that Claudius wants to kill him. I think Hamlets "cherub" is something he may use to defend himself from Claudius like a plan or something of that sort, like ariyani said. Hamlet is too smart for anything to get past him.
imraan shirazi
per.4
Hamlet is an innately intelligent, particularly as it relates to Claudius' guilt. Because of all the evidence Hamlet has surmised(i.e., the visit from his father's ghost, his uncles hasty marriage to Hamlet's mother, and Claudius' guilted reation to the play)Hamlet believes Claudius' sin of murder is obvious--to at least himself. Therefore, when Hamlet readily accepts the idea that he should go to England, he mocking him. Hamlet's cherub is no different than "a little bird" that could have told him the reason for such an obvious exile suggested by his uncle. In other words, Hamlet is being sarcastic and condescending when he says, "...Good." He knows what Claudius is up to. It's a ploy for the guilty uncle to remove the one nuisance (Hamlet) who he believes could expose his real crime: the murder of Hamlet's father.
If Hamlet were pressed to describe who the cherub might really be (if Claudius was too paranoied to let it go)then Hamlet might be so bold as to reveal the source of his original knowledge; his father's first visit giving revengeful instruction. But Hamlet knows his uncle feels too guilty. Somehow Claudius feels that Hamlet really knows something.
Landon Ball(L-Ball)
period # 4
I think that his "cherub" is simply his own talent and intuition indicating his fate. Hamlet knows his shtuff. I doubt there was a single second after he learned that he was to be sent away to England that he didn't know Claudius was to have him killed. Hamlet doesn't need the ghost of his father to show him that Claudius is a simple-minded, predictable murderer.
Hamlet was smart enough to pull of this entire play, so I am pretty sure he knows more about Claudius than we may think. Hamlet knows that Claudius knows that Hamlet knows, and the best way to solve a problem like this would be to get rid of the problem. In this case it would be to kill Hamlet. Its almost expected of Claudius, because of his anger with Hamlet, and the constant games, insults, and situations he is having to deal with because of Hamlet.
Brian Hosseiniyar
Per.6
I think Hamlet understands that they wouldn't just send him away. I mean Claudius might be a dumb butt but he was clever enough to trick a whole kingdom into believeing his lie about Hamlet Sr. Hamlet knows this and knows that Claudius wants to do away with him for good. But I supose that the mention of a cherub, a celestrial, methaphysical, beyond the grave sort of being, was not placed in the text to tell us how smart Hamlet is but perhaps to make us see,again, that this story isn't about intelligence and linerar plot lines, it about questioning the importance of intelligence, questioning what is beyond. Maybe Hamlet used reasoning to discover his fate but he believes this reasoning wasn't his alone, maybe intelligence transcends indivduals. Hence, the cherub. I duno. These blogs dude...these blogs
Jillian Porter
Period 4
I think it's VERY strange that NO ONE said that this cherub is his mother. Totally lame how 98% of the comments lavish Hamlet with praise of being a genius. First of all, we know that Hamlet has "turned" his mother to the light side, away from Claudius - by confronting her and throwing round after round of guilt-packed punches. She has agreed to help him by keeping the true reasoning behind his antic disposition a secret. Some good evidence right there that his mother had a part as his "informant".
Alex Ringe
Period 6?
Hamlet's "cherub" is his own intelligence and common sense that led him to the conclusion that polonius would send him away once he realized what Hamlet was capable of. This shows that Hamlet is able to control the characters in this way by predicting their reactions to his actions beforehand.
- Stephanie Stone
per.6
I believe that Hamlet knows what Claudius is up to due to his intelligence. Claudius knows that Hamlet wants to kill him and Hamlet understands this. I also believe that the ghost of Hamlet's father is directing some of Hamlet's thoughts making Hamlet's fathers ghost his "cherub".
Michael Ashoori
Period4
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