The Hunger Games--Hamlet Blog #2

 "I just keep wishing I could think of a way to show them that they don't own me; if I'm gonna die, I wanna still be me."

This is what Peeta has to say about the Hunger Games. He is chosen, along with Katniss, to compete in the most ruthless game there is, one that requires a lack of heart, and the ability to kill. Katniss and Peeta, however, are having no part in the government's cruel entertainment. As the movie continues, they find secret alliances with the other 'team members,' and they strive to outsmart the government's own game of life. They must plot when the cameras (the spies) are not on them, and find a loophole in the rules. Peeta and Katniss hate their government, so when they find a loophole in the game the revenge is sweet.

Hamlet too, wants revenge. He himself has said that he is going to "catch the conscience of the king" (2.2.533). I cannot choose sides, but if Hamlet's suspicions are made true then Claudius is in for a bit of a surprise. My lord knows that his Uncle has ordered two old friends from college to "glean/Whether aught, to  [the King and Queen], afflicts him thus" (2.2.16-17). Just as Peeta wishes he "could think of a way to show [the government] that they don't own [him]," Hamlet wishes to show his Uncle that he cannot escape with murder. In this way, I believe their deeds are righteous. They do not intend to harm those around them, they wish to act out of revenge, to expose the faults of their target. Hamlet is "but mad north-north-west" (2.2.330), his ideas are crazy, but not unattainable. These crazy ideas are thrown around in The Hunger Games as well, Katniss' friend says "We could do it you know, take off, live in the woods." Hamlet and Katniss. An interesting pair. My Lord is inspired: "Prompted to [his] revenge by heaven and hell" (2.2.512). As is Katniss: after her sister is chosen to compete in the games she "volunteers as tribute." In my humble opinion they would make a great duo. Hamlet places a great value on his "own honour and dignity" (2.2.462), and Katniss knows she is "stronger than [the government] is."

"Make mad the guilty and apall the free,/Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed/The very faculties of eyes and ears" (2.2.489-491).

With honour and dignity,
Horatio