Shakespeare’s Hamlet

William Shakespeare 1564-1616 Lived in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (Elizabethan Age) the most fertile period of the Renaissance Influenced by other famous authors who also lived during this time period--all of these playwrights were concerned with issues such as the supernatural and classic themes.

More on William, my love… Construction of England’s first public theatre was when he was 12. He attended the local grammar school and studied the classics. Shakespeare devoted most of his life to writing plays, however he did elect to act in a few (Known to have played the ghost in Hamlet) Globe Theatre in 1598 held 2000-3000 spectators

Why was Shakespeare Popular? Monarchs liked him Varying types of loves are emphasized Raised moral questions about suicide, love, hatred, etc. Interacted with audience

Why wasn’t Shakespeare Popular? New words, phrases and use of language Plays too loosely put together Most criticism comes from people who don’t understand them.

“The play’s the thing…” A little background info on the play Hamlet…

Hamlet Written c. 1600 AD Hamlet is a tragedy Hamlet a tragic hero? Tragedy: the main character undergoes a struggle and suffers a downfall… Hamlet a tragic hero? Tragic Hero: a character of great importance or noble heritage, whose fatal flaw (and sometimes fate) brings about a tragic downfall.

More on Hamlet Hamlet is thought to be based on a Danish tale Ur-Hamlet Hamlet is the most well-known Shakespearean work Hamlet is often alluded to in pop culture Some of Hamlet’s innermost thoughts are often quoted (look in the 7 Hamlet Soliloquies!)

The Historical Hamlet There was a Danish king named “Amleth” who is supposed to be the basis of Shakespeare’s main character. He lived during the Dark Ages, c. 700. Amleth’s father (the king) was assassinated by Amleth’s uncle, who then became king instead of Amleth. Amleth eventually killed his uncle and took the crown back, ruling Denmark for many years. He was eventually killed in battle and, interestingly, his wife married the man who killed him (you’ll understand the later).

Hamlet as a Revenge Play “Revenge” play: the hero of the story seeks bloody justice for the wrongful acts of a villain(s) -Characters in the play are members of a tight-knit family -One family member is summoned to avenge a family member’s death -A ghost or a dream incites the avenger to do his bloody business -By the last act the stage is literally filled with carnage

Hamlet as a Problem Play Considered one of the most problematic texts in all of literature Focuses on complications from love, death, & betrayal without offering a solid resolution.

Sub Plot- Conflict w/ Fortinbras Fortinbras’ father, King of Norway, was killed during battle for control of “a little patch of ground”(4.4, 19). Lost this land to Hamlet Sr. Hamlet and Fortinbras both lost their fathers and have sworn to avenge their deaths, Character Foil: A minor character, whose contrast highlights characteristics of the main character Fortinbras is a man of action vs. Hamlet who is a thinking man. Fortinbras and Laertes are parallels of Hamlet

Drama Terms… Comic relief: Where the author adds some comedy to a drama

Dramatic Devices Soliloquy: a dramatic monologue that represents a series of unspoken reflections Aside: a character on stage speaks to the audience. Play within in a play: one story is told during the action of another story

Literary Devices Pun: a word with multiple meanings. Example: “I am too much in the sun.” Foreshadowing: when the author hints at what’s to come. Example: “There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark…”

Literary Devices Poetry vs. Prose: iambic pentameter (blank verse- poetry that has 10 syllables per line with every other syllable emphasized) vs. regular speech. Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Fun facts Hamlet was written in 1600 BC but set in the Middle Ages. Hamlet a Renaissance or Medieval man? Hamlet is a play of questions- 421 question marks The word “question” appears 15 times

Essential Questions: What is the nature of the relationships? (Hamlet and Ophelia/ Hamlet and Gertrude) Who or what is the cause of corruption? How is Hamlet a tragic hero? Why does Hamlet hesitate? Is Hamlet really insane? What motivates characters? How does form enhance meaning?

Themes/Motifs A theme is a broad message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. A motif is any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story.

Themes/Motifs (cont.) Appearance vs. Reality Role of Women Poison, Corruption, Rot (Plague) Revenge v. Reason Action v. Inaction Time Religious Imagery Sanity Supernatural Elements Hubris Oedipal Complex

The End