Cherry Orchid & Hamlet- Act 2, Scene 2

After watching Cherry Orchid, I think some parts are quite good. The old man sits on the chair and sleeps to the end while passing away which is like the pass time of cherry orchid. And the last few acts at the end of packing, the family try to find something in their package, it somehow symbolizes that they are trying to seek the meaning in this era which their asset should be forced to control by the progress and advance of entire society. In addition, I think it is more realistic and reflective than other modern plays. They even put less technique of soundtrack into the drama but reveal the atmosphere of soundless and sadness after knowing the consequence of their cherry orchid. 

In today’s class, Hamlet’s madness interests me a lot. As an audience, we clearly receive the different opinion and recognition from those royal people toward Hamlet. I think that it is wise for Hamlet to feign madness and act like an idiot because he can take this opportunity in observing those people around, to see if there are other people planning to set him up. And the madness owns the power of flexibility in breaking out the control and limit from others. Besides, I also consider that Hamlet’s condition is somehow similar to ours. As he points out the key issue of “To be or not to be,” the choices play an important role made by us. It occurred to me the poem composed by Robert Frost- The Road Not Taken. In this poem, there are two roads taken by us, which the road is like the choice we make. If we take the road which is less travel by, it does not mean there will be better than the situation we have now but a different condition waiting for us to experience. Back to Hamlet’s awkward condition, he suffers from the hidden corruption of nation and betrayal from his mother. He has the ability to choose- to confront with the problem or to die, which is to give up solving them. But the deeper issue lies on the attitude and the unknown occurrence after choosing the certain belief. Hamlet is aware of this notion for making his choice and keeping going on his plans.

Robert Frost ends up in choice-making which less people would like to choose. Nevertheless, Hamlet goes deeper and thinks further about the choice after he makes. And he also realizes that choice-making is not so important. It actually depends upon individual, but how you confront with the difficulties with your choice-making, that's what it truly matters! So this is the difference from both sides, methinks.