Hamlethttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS6maTSYuPI

Predictions…• What do you think the story is

about? What do you think happens?

• Use the characters and captions to help you devise some sort of storyline.

Captions

Characters

Hamlet – Shakespeare

A Revenge Tragedy

Compare with The Revenger’s Tragedy

I hour 15 mins paperClosed Text

REVENGE

What are the side effects of revenge? What happens to someone as a result of revenge? What about the people around them? Is it self destructive? Why?

Who gets hurt?

The Characters

Stick each character onto a separate sheet. We will be adding key quotes and characteristics as we go along.

Alternatively, on the blog is a link to a document containing all the pics. You can use this too if you prefer.

The Opening Scene – Act 1 Scene 1

What is the mood and atmosphere?

What language techniques have been

used to create this atmosphere?

What is the purpose of this scene and what has

it been used to establish?

Look at the purpose of the ghost here. Does the ghost

foreshadow anything? What is the ghost’s attire?

Also, explore what Horatio brings to the scene?

Act 1 Scene 2 – Claudius Addresses the Court

Objective: Understand the difference in the atmosphere between the first two scenes of the play

Success Criteria: - Have compared the first two scenes - Completed a comparative analysis

How has Shakespeare shown a contrast in the atmosphere between Act 1 scene 1 and Act 1 scene 2?

This is what we should be able to effectively answer by the end of the lesson.

Act 1 Scene 2 What is the mood and

atmosphere in this scene?

Come up with a list of quotes to support your ideas.

Scene 2 is set in the Great Castle of Elsinore. It is bright, colourful and loud.

- What are the key points of this scene?

Claudius‘By our late dear brother’s death/Our state to be disjoint’

The first scene hints at the widespread concerns that exist in Denmark, but this scene reveals exactly how ‘rotten’ the state is. Claudius’ corruption is a sign that Elsinore is vulnerable.

Claudius – First

impressionsAdd key characteristics to your Claudius page. Include key quotes-Gertrude-Hamlet- Denmark

Hamlet‘O that this too too sullied flesh would melt’

Shakespeare reveals Hamlet’s thoughtful personality through his analysis of grief and his struggle with the morality of suicide. Hamlet's loss of faith and the question of whether suicide can be justified are major themes throughout the rest of the play.

Hamlet – the solitary

thinkerHow has Shakespeare presented Hamlet? - Appearance- Attitude- What other’s say to him

Atmosphere

How has Shakespeare shown a contrast in the atmosphere between Act 1 scene 1 and Act 1 scene 2?

Charactermapping

Who are the characters and how are they linked?

Claudius’ Speech

What’s really happening in Claudius’ speech?

Act 1 Scenes 3 and 4 – Ophelia’s relationship with

Hamlet is a major subplot

Objective: Explore the character of Ophelia and her position in the play.

Success Criteria: - Have started the character map for Polonius, Laertes

and Ophelia- Have written a comparison between the inside and

outside of the castle

Compare the two families:

Claudius

Gertrude

Hamlet

Polonius

Laertes

Ophelia

Look at how the members of the family react and respond to the respective heads of the family, Claudius and Polonius. Can

you sense any genuine love or concern in either family?

Polonius, Laertes and Ophelia

Start the character pages for the above three characters.- Polonius's language and wordplay- Laertes language when speaking to Ophelia- Ophelia’s submissiveness

Homework:

- Scene 4 - the Danish custom of drinking- Why Hamlet is not afraid to go with the

Ghost

- Scene 5How the Ghost compares himself to Gertrude and ClaudiusWhat does he say about his murderWhat does he say about how quickly he was killed

The ghost in Hamlet no doubt performs an important dramatic function. Whatever may have been Shakespeare's belief about ghosts he utilizes the popular conception to highlight what is in the minds of his characters. The ghosts or witches that appeared to Macbeth spoke out only what was in his mind, and revealed his inner thoughts to the audience better than any words of his could do. In the same way, the ghost in Hamlet discloses to us the suspicions already in the minds of Hamlet and his friends. When Hamlet sees the ghost and hears its revelations, he voices this thought by saying, "Oh my prophetic soul!" (I. V. 40.) And the fact that it first appears to the friends of Hamlet suggests that they shared his suspicions and perhaps even anticipated them, though no word had been spoken. The inquiry of Marcellus about the cause of the warlike activity and his later remark about the rotten condition of Denmark seem to imply a suspicion that he is endeavoring to verify or to disprove. .

The scepticism that all at first show concerning the ghost seems to indicate their unwillingness to put faith in their suspicions. They do not willingly think evil of the king, and they all want some undoubted proof, not only of the fact of the ghost's appearance, but of the truth of his words. Horatio hesitates to take ths word of Bernardo and Francisco, and is convinced only by the actual sight of the ghost. Hamlet, apparently the least suspicious of all, for he is the last to see the ghost, seems reluctant to believe that Horatio and the others have seen it. To convince him, Horatio assures him with an oath of the truth of his report, saying,"As I do live, my honor'd lord, 'tis true." (I. ii. 221.)His doubts are not finally removed until the fourth scene when he sees the ghost for himself. At last, the evidence overcomes his moral reluctance to believe such foul suspicions, and Hamlet is convinced of the guilt of the king

Act 1 Scene 5

MadnessRevengeMemory

Complete the three sections looking closely at Act 1 Sc 5.

Watch up to the end of Act 1

Ophelia and the

status of womenUnlike some of Shakespeare’s other female characters (Juliet), Ophelia is not a developed character. She gives into the demands from the men in her life.

Add to the Ophelia character

page, this time including quotes

from the men who seem to be

demanding her to act or do certain things. Write the

name of the character after

the quote.

The Ghost appears to HamletThis mirrors the first scene. There is a contrast between the carefree nature inside the castle and the looming threat outside.

- Suspense before the ghost arrives

- The sound of the trumpets

- The feeling of both the old king and new king

- What is further revealed about the state of Denmark

How does Shakespeare show a contrast in this scene between the carefree nature of the court inside and the danger that is

looming outside of the castle?’

Hamlet – ‘I do not set my life at a pin’s fee’

For homework, add to your HAMLET character map. This time focus on how Hamlet is in a desperate state – he does not care about his life. Also look at his references to fate and destiny.

A Few Weeks LaterAct2 Scene1

1. Polonius sends someone to spy on his son, Laertes

2. Ophelia reports Hamlet’s strange appearance

PoloniusShakespeare lightens the

tone by making Polonius

appear ludicrous. Full of his

own importance and

intoxicated words , he has the

tendency to lose the thread of

“what was I about to say?/by

the mass I was about to say

something.”

“As if he had been loosed

out of hell”

Hamlet begins to appear mad

What do we learn from Ophelia about Hamlet’s appearance? (83-90)

Key Info

Hamlet knows Ophelia will tell her father what she has seen .

Feminist critics comment that Ophelia seems to have no scope for following her own wishes. Others, contrasting her with Juliet, accuse her of a complete lack of spirit.

Act 2 Scene 2

Deception is widespread

Humour in Hamlet’s Madness

Players have an important

role

Hamlet curses his lack of

action

Real Madness Vs Fake Madness

Using Act 2 Scene 2 as a starting point, analyse the importance of deception in Hamlet

Deception

‘to be or not to be’Hamlet’s most unique soliloquy

The dramatic purpose of this episode is to establish Hamlet as a characteristically detached, reflective, analytic, thinking and moral.

Abstract reflection.

Act 3 Scene 1 – ‘to be or not to be’

Read through the scene and work through the following steps:

1. What are the key messages of this soliloquy?

2. Why is there no mention of the ghost/Claudius/Gertrude?

3. What do you notice about the tone and tempo?

4. What does this show you about Hamlet’s state of mind?

Nunnery episode

The calmness of the

soliloquy is in direct

contrast to the

passionate exchange

which follows…

‘Get thee to a nunnery’

Reversal of Roles- Gertrude’s allegiance

-Ophelia’s betrayal

EXPLORE

Hamlet’s reaction to Ophelia before she speaks.- How he refers to her- Language used Hamlet’s rage once Ophelia

starts talking.- How does he refer to her

now?- Language he uses

The MousetrapPlay within a

PlayWhat are the key moments of the scene?

Claudius’ reaction to the play…

What does Hamlet think?

Horatio…….the voice of reason?

Hamlet’s relationships are developed…

HoratioGertrude

OpheliaRosencrantz

AndGuildenstern

for against

‘Ophelia should be viewed

as a completely innocent

victim’

Argue for AND against this

statement

Act 3 Scene 3

What does this scene reveal about Claudius’ character?

Repentance

Claudius is not

genuinely repentant

How do we know this?

Hamlet’s Delay

Potential Explanations for Hamlet’s delay….

Plot Device

Tragic Flaw

Conscience

Fairness

Act 3 Scene 4

The Closet Scene

What is the purpose behind Hamlet’s confrontation?

Confirms Claudius’

Guilt

Make Gertrude repent

Repair their relationship

Explore Gertrude’s language whilst she is talking to Hamlet

Hamlet’s control

Explore Hamlet’s control over the conversation.

How does he do this?

What do we make of Hamlet’s spontaneous reaction?

‘Act 3 Scene 4 proves that Gertrude is just an innocent victim’.

To what extent do you agree with the statement?