Ghanim Al Najrani

Outline:  1.0 Biography 1.1 General Information 1.2 Place of Birth 1.3 Education and Work 1.3 Family Life  2.0 The Tragedy of Hamlet 2.1 Key Facts 2.2 Themes 2.3 Main Symbol 2.4 Characters Summary 2.5 Characters Summary (continuation) 2.6 Main Plot Points 2.7 Audiences Views  3.0 References

1.0 Biography: William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford and baptized on April 26, He was the third of eight children born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, daughter of a wealthy landowner. William’s father was a glove maker, a grain dealer, and served in various civic offices as a member of town council, magistrate and as bailiff or mayor of Stratford. 1.1 General Information

1.2 Place of Birth Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Map of Stratford Upon Avon

1.3 Education and Work: Owing to William’s father’s position, William received free tuition at King’s New School where he studied rhetoric, Latin and Greek William took charge of his father’s business around 1577 when his father’s fortunes began to decline Even though William did not attend college, he had a great deal of general knowledge.

1.4 Family life Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway Their first child, Susanna, was baptized on 1583 They bought Twins, Hamnet and Judith, were born in 1585 Hamnet, the only son, died at age 11.

2.0 The Tragedy of Hamlet

Full Title: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Type of Work: Play Original Language: English Genre: Revenge, and Tragedy Year Written: 1600 – 1602 Year Published: 1603 – 1604 Protagonist: Hamlet Setting (Time): The late medieval period, though the play’s chronological setting is notoriously imprecise Setting (Place): Denmark 2.1 Key Facts

2.2 Themes:  Revenge  Moral Corruption  Appearance and Reality  Mortality

2.3 Main Symbol: Yorick's Skull: Found in the graveyard, Yorick's (the former Jester of the Court) skull serves as the main symbol of the play and is an image that people often immediately associate with the production of Hamlet. The skull is a reminder of death, a symbol of the physical breakdown after death and a sign that death is inevitable to all. Hamlet comes across the skull, fuelling his fascination with the consequences of death – final and physical.

2.4 Characters Summary:  Claudius (antagonist): Claudius is the king of Denmark. He murdered the previous king, his brother, and married the queen.  Gertrude: Gertrude is the queen of Denmark, King Hamlet's widow, Prince Hamlet's mother, and Claudius' wife.  Hamlet (Protagonist): Hamlet is the prince of Denmark. He is determined to avenge his father's death. His tragic flaw is usually thought to be indecision, but it could also be rashness.

2.5 Characters Summary (continued):  Polonius: He is the King's advisor and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. He is a silly, petty man.  Laertes: He returns to Denmark to revenge his father's death.  Ophelia: Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius and beloved of Hamlet. After her father's death, she goes insane and drowns in a stream.  Horatio: He is Hamlet's close friend.

2.6 Main Plot Points Major Conflict: Hamlet feels a responsibility to avenge his father’s murder by his uncle Claudius, but Claudius is now the king and thus well protected. Moreover, Hamlet struggles with his doubts about whether he can trust the ghost and whether killing Claudius is the appropriate thing to do. Rising Action: The ghost appears to Hamlet and tells Hamlet to revenge his murder; Hamlet feigns madness to his intentions; Hamlet stages the mousetrap play; Hamlet passes up the opportunity to kill Claudius while he is praying. Falling Action: Hamlet is sent to England to be killed; Hamlet returns to Denmark and confronts Laertes at Ophelia’s funeral; the fencing match; the deaths of the royal family. Climax: When Hamlet stabs Polonius in Act III, scene iv, he brings himself into unavoidable conflict with the king.

2.7 Audience’s Views: Hamlet is regarded as one of Shakespeare’s finest tragedies. Unquestionably, the idea of Hamlet being inspired to prove his very own worth is what attracted the audiences from both eras. Hamlet was a great play, with a lot of dramatic action that give the audience the thrills. Filled with quotes of vengeance, such as: “From this time forth, my thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth” added force and energy to the play. Perhaps the audience were inspired by Hamlet’s brave heart, in such a manner that lead to their support and attraction towards the play.

3.0 References  John. "Hamlet." Shmoop. N.p. 02 Aug Web. 16 July  Kelly, Joseph. The Seagull Reader. New York: W.W. Norton &, Print.  "William Shakespeare's Hamlet." William Shakespeare's Hamlet. N.p. Web. 20 July

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