An Introduction to Hamlet World Literature 2 November 9 An Introduction to Hamlet

Today’s Agenda Today’s Objectives Unit Letters? Introduction to Shakespeare & Hamlet Library - Return/Check Out Books Today’s Objectives Students will understand the history of Shakespeare’s life and career as a writer. Students will know the characters, themes, literary devices, and allusions required for Hamlet.

Shakespeare Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-Upon- Avon Married Anne Hathaway 26 in 1582. First child, Susanna, was born in May 1583. Soon after, they had twins.

Shakespeare Disappeared in 1586 and emerged in London in 1592 as an actor/writer. Part owner of the Globe Theater Died April 23, 1616

The Globe Theater Built in 1599 Destroyed by fire in 1613 Rebuilt in 1614, closed for good in 1642 Rounded seating around stage Penny for general admission The replica that exists today on nearly the same spot was not built until 1997

Stage Life Actors were all men Female parts typically played by young boys The poor audience members that stood around the stage were called “groundlings.” No women were admitted among the groundlings. The groundlings often threw food at the actors when the acting was subpar.

Midsummer Night’s Dream Types of plays - 37 total Comedies Tragedies Histories Romance Marriage Mistaken Identities Tricksters Happy Ending Midsummer Night’s Dream Twelfth Night Based on English Kings Political Propaganda Praise for the Tudor Dynasty Richard III Henry IV Part I & II Tragic Hero Tragic Flaw Reversal of Fortune Ends with Death Hamlet Othello Macbeth

Career as a Poet 2 Epic Poems: 154 Sonnets Rape of Lucrice Venus and Adonis 154 Sonnets Iambic pentameter 14 lines (3 quatrains and 1 couplet) Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

Hamlet: Prince of Denmark Written between 1599 and 1602 Arguably the most popular of Shakespeare’s 37 plays during his lifetime One of the most performed and filmed plays of all time

Tragic Heroes Tragic hero has: Heroic Qualities Hubris - Excessive Pride Hamartia - Tragic Flaw Peripeteia - Reversal of Fortune Anagnorisis - Realization Catharsis - Purging Pity or Fear

Hamlet - Characters Prince Hamlet Ghost (of King Hamlet) Claudius - new King Gertrude - Queen, Hamlet’s mom Polonius – advisor to Claudius Laertes – son of Polonius Ophelia – daughter of Polonius Rosencrantz & Guildenstern – Hamlet’s childhood friends Horatio - Hamlet’s one, true friend Fortinbras – Prince of Norway

Hamlet – Themes and Devices Literary Devices Revenge Morality: Right vs. Wrong Death Existentialism Melancholy and Grief Hypocrisy Insanity and the Treatment of the Mentally Ill Guilt Soliloquy Aside Pun Synecdoche Metaphor Symbol Irony Hyperbole Allusion Play within a Play

Hamlet - Allusions Julius Caesar: Emperor of Roman Empire from 49BC to 44BC Assassinated by senators, including his friend Brutus “Et tu, Brute?” Shakespearean Play (1599)

Hamlet - Allusions Pyrrhus: Son of Achilles, who was killed by Paris (Prince of Troy) during the Trojan War Takes revenge against Priam, King of Troy, for death of his father Kills Priam’s son in front of him, before killing Priam

Hamlet - Allusions Jephthah: Great warrior from the Bible who promised to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his home to greet him, if God would grant him victory in battle He was victorious, and the first thing to come out of his house when he returned home was his young, virgin daughter, who he then sacrificed to God.