ACT III, REVIEW HAMLET

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE” HAMLET

SOLILOQUY – THEME HAMLET’S FAMOUS SOLILOQUY - ANALYSIS How does Shakespeare use the element of a theme of “afterlife” to portray Hamlet’s thoughts about death, suicide, murder and afterlife in soliloquy “To be, or not to be?” in Act 3 Scene 1? “To be or not to be? That is the question…”(III.I.63-99) shows the reader that Shakespeare uses a theme of “afterlife” in Hamlet’s soliloquy to portray Hamlet’s thoughts about death, murder, and afterlife. The author implies that Hamlet is still hesitating to carry out his revenge because he questions the morals of the act of murder.

SOLILOQUY – THEME HAMLET’S FAMOUS SOLILOQUY - ANALYSIS Explanation: Hamlet questions whether or not he should live or die. He questions whether or not to deal with reality and life or to commit suicide. He says that death would be better if he knew what happened after death.

SOLILOQUY – THEME HAMLET’S FAMOUS SOLILOQUY - ANALYSIS Literary Devices: Antithesis: A figure of speech characterized by strongly contrasting words, clauses, sentences, or ideas. An antithesis balances one term against another. The first line of Hamlet’s soliloquy focuses the reader on the prominent theme – to live or to die. Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two objects that are unrelated but have similar characteristics. Hamlet uses a metaphor comparing slings and arrows and the whips of scorns of time to life’s problems. Hamlet uses a metaphor to compare death to the ”undiscovered country from whose borne no traveler returns.” The fear of death is referred to as the “pare cast of thought”.

IMPORTANT QUOTES AND THE THEME(S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE QUOTES “To be, or not to be, - that is the question: /Whether ‘tis nobler in the mid to suffer/ The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/or to take arms against a see of troubles, /And by opposing end them?” Speaker: Hamlet Theme(s): Action and Inaction, Religion, Honor, and Revenge

IMPORTANT QUOTES AND THE THEME(S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE QUOTES “Get the a nunnery: why wouldst thou be/ a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent hon/est; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it/ were better my mother had not borne me…” Speaker: Hamlet Theme: Appearance vs. Reality, Women, Corruption, and Death

IMPORTANT QUOTES AND THE THEME(S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE QUOTES “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below;/Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” Speaker: Claudius Themes: Reality vs. Appearance, Religion, Honor, and Revenge

DRAMATIC STRUCTURE REVIEW Plot: A series of related incidents in a literary work Internal Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces within a character, often involving a question of conscience, mortality, emotions, etc.; the struggle is integral (and often a catalyst for) the events of a literary work. External Conflict: A struggle between opposing forces that are outside the character’s control, such other people, societal structures, etc; the struggle is integral (an often a catalyst for) the events of a literary work.

DRAMATIC STRUCTURE REVIEW Exposition: The first stage of a play or story, in which characters are introduced and key background information is revealed. Rising Action: The building of tension that occurs as the conflict is introduced in a work of literature. The conflict builds toward climax/crisis in this part of the play. Turning Point/ Crisis/Climax: A key moment of change in the action. Also the moment of highest tension. In Shakespearean tragedy, this is the moment that the tragic figure begins his decline.

DRAMATIC STRUCTURE REVIEW Falling Action: The events that follow the crisis/climax of a work of literature and build toward a resolution. Catastrophe: The tragic ending in which tension is released an the hero suffers (often for an earlier choice that he made). This suffering is often compounded by the suffering of others important to the hero. Denouement/ Resolution: The unraveling of the plot, a release of tension, an end of conflict that provides closure.

THE PLAYERS What is the role and purpose of the Players? What is the significance of the title of the play – “The Mouse Trap”? What is Claudius’ reaction to the play? Why was Claudius’ reaction to the play so important to Hamlet? Specifically as it relates to the ghost.

HAMLET What role does Christianity play in Hamlet’s delay of revenge? What is the ultimate irony in this Act? Hamlet himself is duped by appearance – what does this mean?