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In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential. At first, Heaney shows that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill that his father and grandfather have. The speaker then becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will measure up to the legacy his father and grandfather have left behind. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, as he begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous throughout the poem as an example of how we should believe in our abilities as we reach for individuality.

In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential to become a writer. At first, Heaney demonstrates that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill of his father and grandfather. Later, the speaker becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will satisfy his family’s legacy. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, as he begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous throughout the poem to show how the character strives to separate himself from the rest.

Ophelia in two lights

In the modernized portrayal of Act 1 Scene 3, Ophelia acts and speaks much differently than I imagined in the book. Ophelia acted much more sarcastic and rebellious in this scene than the book made her seem. When she was speaking to Laertes, she spoke more sharply and used the words of the poem much more forcefully. She defended Hamlet strictly when she spoke to her brother. Shakespeare tends to leave the exact interpretation of how to say these words up to the actor, so any one line can have many meanings and interpretations. For example, after Laertes tells Ophelia that what she has with Hamlet is just a fling, Ophelia asks, "No more but so?" (1.3.12). In the modern version of the play, the actress playing Ophelia responds to her brother with a critical tone. I do agree with this portrayal of the modern play, because I think it gives some credit to the modern woman. Ophelia is trying to speak her mind and have a civil argument that has more than one side with her rather rude brother.

Compared to the second scene, where Ophelia has tears on her eyes and is very timid, the modern scene portrays Ophelia as a strong young woman. Because the lines that Ophelia says in Hamlet are so ambiguous, the actress in the second scene was able to take the character in a completely different direction. I could tell that she was also wanting to rebel against her father and brother. I felt so bad for Ophelia in the second scene because I could not imagine myself living in a world where I could not speak my mind. As shown by the first scene, even if she did speak her mind, she was immediately shot down. Living in a world where women can speak their mind equally, our lives are much more intelligent.

My First Look at King Claudius

King Claudius is a man of ambition and personal power, but only in the presence of open opportunity. The king has swooped into Hamlet’s life and replaced his father in almost every way. He managed to take advantage of his own brother’s death, and use it to improve his own life. Frankly, it is sick how quickly King Claudius, along with Hamlet’s mother, moved on from the death of the king.

            So far, King Claudius strikes me as the kind of ruler who is very self-motivated. This self-motivation usually drives a character with passion and they take risks that have a great reward. Claudius will do anything if it means he will extend his rule. Already, Claudius has manipulated his only competitor, Hamlet, and made him an immediate family member

            Although Claudius is harsh to Hamlet, he has proven smart and calculating when it comes to the security of his rule. Claudius knows that Hamlet will want to rule the kingdom, so he does all he can to make sure Hamlet cannot claim the kingdom. Claudius takes the idiom, “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”, very literally. Rather than banishing Hamlet, where he could start a rebellion of some sort, he keeps Hamlet right where he can control and monitor his movements. Also, by keeping Hamlet trapped inside of his kingdom and marrying Hamlet’s mother, he is breaking Hamlet’s will and asserting his dominance over Hamlet.

            King Claudius also tries to control Hamlet by urging him to let go of his father’s death. He is bothered that Hamlet will not, “Cast thy nighted color off” (1.2.70). His dark clothing stand as a symbol for Hamlet’s mourning for his father, and if he lets those go, Claudius is one step closer to demoralizing his greatest competition. Claudius creates another close connection to the family by marrying Hamlet’s mother. If one leaves the mother’s odd choice out of the situation to remarry so quickly, it is obvious that Claudius is trying to justify his rights to the kingdom, and to show Hamlet that he can really do anything he pleases, including marry his mother.

"Digging" Characterization Analysis Essay

Heaney’s Characterization of the Speaker in “Digging”

            In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential. Immediately, Heaney shows that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill that his father and grandfather have. The speaker becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will measure up to the legacy his father and grandfather have left behind. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, and begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous  throughout the poem as an example of how we should believe in our abilities as we reach for individuality.

            In the beginning of the poem, the speaker has respect and deference for hard work. Toward the beginning of the poem, the speaker admits, “the old man could handle a spade” (Heaney 15). The father is a potato farmer who provided for and raised his child by hard work and diligence. Here, the speaker shows his adoration for the skill and mastery that his father has. The respect that he has had for his father all his life has led to intimidation and a feeling of adherence to his family. The speaker reveals his concern for bringing the end to a valuable legacy when he shares that “[his] grandfather cut more turf in a day / Than any other man on Toner’s bog” (Heaney 17-18). His grandfather cuts turf; needless to say, a less than glamorous job, to support the family. The speaker realizes that his role in supporting his own family is arriving slowly, and tries to decide what kind of legacy he wants to leave. The pressure to decide his path escalates, but the pressure has only been applied at his own hand. The speaker admires his father and grandfather, which is making the decision to write, instead of become a potato farmer, feel more and more dissident as the poem moves forward.

            Throughout the poem, the speaker doubts that his writing measures up to the diligent drudgery of his father and grandfather. Once, when the speaker was a young boy, he “carried [his grandfather] milk in a bottle / corked sloppily with paper” (Heaney 19-20). This would not be so important usually, however it is the only memory he recalls from his childhood, so it can be assumed it is important in understanding the character. The speaker still feels that he can only do a simple, childish task in comparison to the neat and organized demeanor of his grandfather. Later in the poem, the speaker believes in the power of his pen, “but [he has] no spade to follow men like them” (Heaney 28).  The speaker realizes, with a sense of regret, that his character and passions do not point to him following the legacy left by his father and grandfather. The speaker has become afraid of what his family will make of him straying from the job that is so closely tied to his family. The speaker wants to take his life in a different direction, but throughout the poem, his connection to his family have brought doubts.

            At the end of the poem, Heaney turns the speaker’s view and gives him a sudden spur of self-confidence. Heaney gives the speaker this boost when he begins the last stanza, “Between my finger and my thumb / The squat pen rests” (Heaney 29-30). Although almost an exact copy of the first two lines, Heaney leaves out, “snug as a gun” (Heaney 2). In the last stanza, the speaker has had a shift in the way that he views his situation. He is no longer defensive, he has realized that if he is meant to be a writer, his pen does not need to be a weapon, but a tool to escape. In the last line of the poem, “I’ll dig with it” (Heaney 31) stands alone, the last sentence of the poem, in which the speaker convinces himself that although he will head in his own direction, he is still digging. The speaker has gained confidence, and began to realize his abilities. The speaker has become independent in his method, but not in his roots. The speaker identifies himself as a writer, yet he keeps in mind the work ethic and determination of his father and grandfather.

            Heaney uses characterization to show the speaker’s struggle to reach his own individuality, when he already feels so engaged in his family’s work. Heaney characterized the speaker through instances with his father and grandfather, which lead to an internal struggle as the speaker comes of age.  The speaker plays out a role that most of us face at a time in our lives. To have to make a decision between the ones who have loved you for so long and what you are passionate about may be the most difficult decision of all.