HAMLET: PRINCE OF DENMARK
Jan 16, 2016
HAMLET: PRINCE OF DENMARK
Quick Writing and Discussion
Journal #1 Individuals who sin or do great evil will
always be punished according to the nature of their crimes, whether in a court of law or as a result of some karmic retribution.
Your daily writing is an ongoing assignment and a central part of this study of Hamlet.
Act I
Overwhelming grief Ghosts Dramatic devices-carrying a torch on
stage
“we” Diction/choice of words- wisest sorrow Order of ideas-Claudius’s progression of
handling topics Subtext- underlying meaning Antithesis- balancing of two contrasting
ideas-juxtaposition
Vocabulary- Act I
Apparition-ghost Canon-church law Imminent-inevitable Perilous-dangerous Portentous-threatening Prodigal- extravagant, wasteful Sullied-tarnished Caluminious-slanderous
What’s on for Today?
Can you identify these quotes ? Who said it to whom?
“my inky cloak” – literary term? “O, that this too too solid flesh would
melt”- meaning?
Elements of Tragedy
Tragic hero Hamartia Hubris
Framework of a Tragedy
E xp os it ionA c t I
In it ia l In cid e n tA c t I
R is in g A c tionA c t II
D e no ue m e nta n d R eso lu tion
A c t VC a s ta stro p e (2 n d C lim a x)
F a llin g A c tionA c t IV
C lim a xA c t III
C ris is -P ivo t-C o u n te rs tro ke
More stuff
The Great Chain of Being
G re at C ha in o f B e ing
R o cks
P la n ts
A n im a ls
M an
A n g e ls
G od
Shakespeare’s language
The imagery in the play supports the theme of decay ,destruction, and corruption in Denmark. In groups , take each act and locate as many references to decay, destruction, and corruption as possible.
Determine to what extent these images enhance the meaning of the play. Look at figurative language, literary terminology, literary devices (symbol, metaphor…).
Report to the class. “Frailty, thy name is woman!”
Journal topic for discussion
How common do you believe the act of revenge is in everyday life? Write about specific incidents…were you involved or did you witness any?
Major Themes
Revenge Appearance vs. Reality Sanity vs. Insanity Decay and Corruption
Group work:
1. Read the soliloquy aloud- 2 times 2. Combine the best paraphrases to
piece together what Hamlet is saying. 3. Make the soliloquy physical: use
props, drawings, and students posing in a frozen scene.
4. Select physical objects to hold up while certain words are read.
5. Purpose: to illustrate, give meaning to the soliloquy. You can be humorous, but keep your focus in mind.
6. Present for a daily grade.
Group Quiz
How does Shakespeare create suspense in scene 2? 5 references
Imagery, symbolism-Find 4 references to disease or decay
The ghost comes in questionable shape-Find 5 references to the idea that he may not be what he seems
Find 5 references to characters not being what they seem
Find 5 to remembering or forgetting things
Five references to Fate or Providence
Explain Claudius’s comments to Hamlet regarding his father’s death. Levels of meaning?
Explain Hamlet’s feelings in the soliloquy. Compare Laertes’ advice to Ophelia with
Polonius’s command to her. Explain Horatio’s fear of the ghost. What does Hamlet mean when he says
he will put on an “antic disposition”?
Act II- Introduction
How would you feel if a friend betrayed you? Discuss an occasion when you thought a friend was not honest with you.
Theme: appearance vs. reality-explain in Act II
What kind of relationship did Hamlet have with his friends during a time of crisis?
Vocabulary : Act II
Commission-order Firmament-sky, heaven Malefaction-evil deed, crime Pestilent-destructive, deadly Promontory-land jutting into sea Sovereign-supreme in power Tedious-lifeless, dull
For quick writing #2
“This above all-to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Explicate-explain, interpret Who said it? To Whom? Regarding what?
How is it significant?
Words to Consider :
Double entendre-two meanings-one usually bawdy
Pun-two meanings, no sexual connotations Metaphors Similes Alliterations Anastrophe- inversion of normal order Parallel constructions Classical allusions Diction Subtextual meanings
Today’s assignment and presentation
Discuss the meanings and give examples of each new term. Help the class to understand the meanings. After your presentation, explain the meanings of Shakespeare’s language. Why did he use these methods?
Act II, scene ii- presentationWhat’s on for today?
King and Polonius beginning- 170 Hamlet attacks Polonius -170-225 to
entrance of R&G Hamlet and R&G-225-390 Hamlet, Polonius, and Players 390-560 Hamlet’s soliloquy
Act III
Have you ever felt uncertain about how to act or what action to take in response to a situation? How does Hamlet grapple with difficult decisions?
Vocabulary
Paradox Perceive Pious Resolution visage
Act III: Nunnery Scene
Consider subtext and objective. Objective: what the character wants in a
particular scene. His goal…
Three Interpretations
Hamlet knows from the beginning of the scene that Polonius and Claudius are watching him.
Hamlet does not know until later in the scene that he is being watched: the group decides when, based on the script.
Hamlet never knows that he is being watched.
Rehearsal
20 minutes to prepare Be able to point to evidence in the text to
support acting choices. Discuss textual clues used to support
your interpretation after your performance.
After all performances, discuss which version of the nunnery scene you prefer and why.
Be prepared to write a paper comparing your version of the scene to the Branagh version.