Hamlet By William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s background Was an actor and a playwright Was an actor and a playwright Considered to be four people: Considered to be four people: Ben Johnson, the Earl of Oxford, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Christopher Marlowe (wrote Dr. Faustus) Ben Johnson, the Earl of Oxford, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Christopher Marlowe (wrote Dr. Faustus) Had three periods: Problem Plays, Masterpieces, and then the dark period- some believe the real Shakespeare died. Had three periods: Problem Plays, Masterpieces, and then the dark period- some believe the real Shakespeare died.

Shakespeare’s background continued Wrote in an elevated style of “ free verse ” which used Iambic Pentameter. It is based on the length of the human breath. Wrote in an elevated style of “ free verse ” which used Iambic Pentameter. It is based on the length of the human breath. Wrote in three types of genres: Histories (combo of a tragedy and a comedy), Tragedies ( someone of noble birth always dies), and Comedies (always ends in a party/marriage). Wrote in three types of genres: Histories (combo of a tragedy and a comedy), Tragedies ( someone of noble birth always dies), and Comedies (always ends in a party/marriage).

Background to Hamlet Written between 1599 & 1601 Written between 1599 & 1601 Given the play's dramatic structure and depth of characterization, Hamlet can be analyzed, interpreted and argued about from many perspectives. Given the play's dramatic structure and depth of characterization, Hamlet can be analyzed, interpreted and argued about from many perspectives. Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest play and among the most powerful and influential tragedies in the English language. It provides a storyline capable of "seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others". During Shakespeare's lifetime, the play was one of his most popular works, and it still ranks high among his most-performed plays. It has inspired writers from Goethe and Dickens and has been described as "the world's most filmed story after Cinderella". In the four hundred years since, it has been played by highly acclaimed actors, and sometimes actresses, of each successive age. Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest play and among the most powerful and influential tragedies in the English language. It provides a storyline capable of "seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others". During Shakespeare's lifetime, the play was one of his most popular works, and it still ranks high among his most-performed plays. It has inspired writers from Goethe and Dickens and has been described as "the world's most filmed story after Cinderella". In the four hundred years since, it has been played by highly acclaimed actors, and sometimes actresses, of each successive age.English language GoetheDickensCinderellaEnglish language GoetheDickensCinderella

Hamlet Continued The protagonist of Hamlet is Prince Hamlet of Denmark, son of the recently deceased King Hamlet and his wife, Queen Gertrude. While the young Hamlet is away at school the recently deceased King's brother, Claudius, is elected king and hastily marries Gertrude. A minor subplot involves Denmark's long-standing feud with neighboring Norway, and the threat of invasion led by the Norwegian prince Fortinbras. The protagonist of Hamlet is Prince Hamlet of Denmark, son of the recently deceased King Hamlet and his wife, Queen Gertrude. While the young Hamlet is away at school the recently deceased King's brother, Claudius, is elected king and hastily marries Gertrude. A minor subplot involves Denmark's long-standing feud with neighboring Norway, and the threat of invasion led by the Norwegian prince Fortinbras.protagonistPrince HamletKing HamletQueen GertrudeClaudiusNorwayFortinbrasprotagonistPrince HamletKing HamletQueen GertrudeClaudiusNorwayFortinbras

Hamlet Continued Critical history Critical history From the early 17th century, the play was famous for its ghost and vivid dramatization of melancholy and insanity. Though it remained popular with mass audiences, late 17th-century Restoration critics saw Hamlet as primitive and disapproved of its lack of unity and decorum. This view changed drastically in the 18th century, when critics regarded Hamlet as a hero—a pure, brilliant young man thrust into unfortunate circumstances. By the mid-18th century, however, the advent of Gothic literature brought psychological and mystical readings, returning madness and the Ghost to the forefront. By the 19th century, Romantic critics valued Hamlet for its internal, individual conflict reflecting the strong contemporary emphasis on internal struggles and inner character in general. Then too, critics started to focus on Hamlet's delay as a character trait, rather than a plot device. This focus on character and internal struggle continued into the 20th century, when criticism branched in several directions, discussed in context and interpretation below. From the early 17th century, the play was famous for its ghost and vivid dramatization of melancholy and insanity. Though it remained popular with mass audiences, late 17th-century Restoration critics saw Hamlet as primitive and disapproved of its lack of unity and decorum. This view changed drastically in the 18th century, when critics regarded Hamlet as a hero—a pure, brilliant young man thrust into unfortunate circumstances. By the mid-18th century, however, the advent of Gothic literature brought psychological and mystical readings, returning madness and the Ghost to the forefront. By the 19th century, Romantic critics valued Hamlet for its internal, individual conflict reflecting the strong contemporary emphasis on internal struggles and inner character in general. Then too, critics started to focus on Hamlet's delay as a character trait, rather than a plot device. This focus on character and internal struggle continued into the 20th century, when criticism branched in several directions, discussed in context and interpretation below.melancholyinsanityRestorationunity decorumGothic literaturepsychological mysticalRomanticcontext and interpretationmelancholyinsanityRestorationunity decorumGothic literaturepsychological mysticalRomanticcontext and interpretation

Motifs: Motifs: Motifs: Revenge Revenge Murder Murder Incest Incest Insanity Insanity Suicide Suicide

Summary Activity: Pick one of the following motifs and write a paragraph on the right-hand side explaining what you believe it means and its connection to our society today: words. Pick one of the following motifs and write a paragraph on the right-hand side explaining what you believe it means and its connection to our society today: words. Motifs: Motifs: Revenge Revenge Murder Murder Incest Incest Insanity Insanity Suicide Suicide We will have a whip around sharing which motif each of you chose. Share your choice with a neighbor We will have a whip around sharing which motif each of you chose. Share your choice with a neighbor