Hamlet unit test this week THURSDAY, MAY 10 Parts one and two: short answer/closed book FRIDAY, MAY 11 Part three: short essay/open book

Character word descriptions--- and the line(s) to prove them Ophelia Hamlet Polonius Claudius Gertrude Laertes Horatio Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

What lesson(s) can be gleaned from reading Hamlet Final What lesson(s) can be gleaned from reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet? Write a five-paragraph essay that explores this topic, utilizing at least three documented/cited passages from the play as support. E-mail your essay to epeters@northallegheny.org by the end of your class period tomorrow, June 1. This final grade is 50 points---30 points for accurate and explicated content and 20 points for elevated style and proper usage.

Hamlet Final In the play, Polonius says to Laertes: “This above all, to thine own self be true./And it must follow…Thou canst not then be false to any man.” [I, 3, 78 – 80]. Write a five-paragraph essay that supports or refutes this idea, utilizing at least three documented/cited lines from the play as support. You may also relate examples from history, current events, or your personal experience. E-mail your essay to epeters@northallegheny.org by the end of your class period tomorrow, June 1. This final grade is 50 points---30 points for accurate and explicated content and 20 points for elevated style and proper usage.

Though William Shakespeare simply titled his revenge play Hamlet, assume the role of the playwright and provide the play with a subtitle; then, compose a 5-paragrah essay response to support your choice. For instance, you might select the title Hamlet: A Tale of Grief, Guilt, and Revenge, and explicate scenarios of the play (such as Hamlet’s grief at his isolation and fate, his guilt over Ophelia’s death, and his revenge at the play’s end). Include at least 3-4 appropriate cited examples as support. Remember to cite lines correctly: [act, scene, line number(s)].

OPHELIA, ACT FOUR YouTube - Hamlet - David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie. Act 4, Scene 1. - Pt.1 YouTube - Ophelia (3 of 4)(montage) YouTube – Ophelia(Stiles) YouTube - Ophelia's Mad Scene, Part 1 - Kate Winslet (1996) YouTube - Ophelia's Mad Scene, Part 2 - Kate Winslet (1996)

Reminders: Soliloquy Writing Assignment due (typed with MLA heading) tomorrow---20 points. 2. Act four quiz of Hamlet will be this Friday---same format, 10 points.

To Laertes: There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, means “to remember with faithfulness.” She wants her brother to help her figure out who killed their father.  "Remember/ Think back on what's been going on" is what she is telling him.

To Laertes: “And there’s pansies, that’s for thoughts.” Pansy, Viola tricolor, is the symbol for thoughts and faithfulness. Of all the men in her life, Laertes---though physically absent---has been the most emotionally present.

To Queen Gertrude: "There's rue for you; and here's some for me To Queen Gertrude: "There's rue for you; and here's some for me.  We may call it herb of “grace a Sunday's.”  O, you must wear your rue with a difference." . Rue, Ruta graveolens, means adultery and genuine repentance of all transgressions for women and everlasting suffering. Rue is very bitter.  Note that rue was the major cause of abortion in its day, which is also why it was tied in with adultery.  So she insults both the Queen and King to their faces, in front of witnesses.

To Claudius: “There’s fennel for you…” Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is the symbol of flattery At this point, Ophelia walks to the King, and while handing him some fennel, says, "There's fennel for you and columbines." That's a jab to the King!  The audience in Shakespeare's time would have understood that to mean flattery and male adultery and foolishness, because once you pick fennel, it would wilt so quickly.  She knew that the new King loved flattery. 

To King Claudius: “And [here is] columbines...” Columbine,, Aquilegia vulgaris, is the symbol for male adultery and ingratitude and faithlessness. It was also the symbol for foolishness. 

To herself: “There’s a daisy…” Daisy,  Bellis perenis, means Innocence. Ophelia then sees a daisy and says, "There's a daisy," and she picks it up, looks sadly, and then puts it back.  In effect she is saying, "There is no innocence here."

Violet, Viola odorata, is the symbol for faithfulness or fidelity. To Gertrude and Claudius: "I would give you some violets, but they wither'd all when my father died."  Violet, Viola odorata, is the symbol for faithfulness or fidelity. So what is she implying to the King and Queen about their faithfulness and integrity?

To hoke or not to poke… O proud left foot, that ventures quick within, Then soon upon a backward journey so lithe, Anon, once more the gesture, then begin: Command thy internal core to writhe. Commence thou then the fervid poke A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl. To spin! A wide release from heaven’s yoke, Blessed dervish! Thou can surely go, girl! To hoke, to poke---banish now thy doubt: Certainly, I say, ‘tis what’s it’s all about!

Act two, scene two Act three, scene one YouTube - Comparing Productions of Hamlet, Act II, Scene ii. (Part 2 of 2) Act three, scene one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uJBOAkMsSc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUdVVnk3m24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO-wxlavDQI

Hamlet’s “Antic Disposition” How does Hamlet’s antic disposition/madness evolve from his interaction with Polonius to his conversation with Ophelia? YouTube - Hamlet - David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie. Act 3, Scene 2. - Pt.1

Critical Theories about Hamlet’s Character

Hamlet and the Masochistic Theory Hamlet seems to be intellectually and emotionally enjoying the torment of his situation and he wants to prolong it. Hamlet and the Melancholy Theory Bradley suggests that the direct cause of Hamlet’s delay is a state of mind “quite abnormal and induced by special circumstances”---a state of profound melancholy or excessive brooding that makes him too depressed to act.

“Hamlet, the Intellectual” Theory Coleridge suggest that Hamlet has an inborn quality---the inability to act, the tendency to procrastinate and the “fondness for intellectualizing everything.” Therefore, Coleridge asserts, “Hamlet is continually resolving to do but does nothing to resolve.” “Hamlet, the Perfectionist” Theory It has been suggested that Hamlet wants a perfect revenge. Thus, he takes many unusual steps to attain this consummate revenge.

Hamlet and the Oedipus Theory Possibly because of his relationship with is mother, Hamlet hesitates until he knows that his mother will approve of his actions. Hamlet’s New Morality Theory Hamlet is a “Superman” born ahead of his time who attempts to achieve a certain moral order. In doing so, he casts aside the morality of his time and tries out a new morality that others are willing to accept because it is new and “abnormal.” Because he cannot actually commit physical revenge, he attempts to break the revenge cycle but in doing so, only acts as a catalyst for other revenges.

Act five, scene one YouTube - Kenneth Branagh ~ Hamlet ~ Gravediggers scene ~ Part 1 ~ Whose grave's this, sirrah? YouTube - Kenneth Branagh ~ Hamlet ~ Gravediggers scene ~ Part 2 ~ Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay YouTube - Hamlet ~ Kenneth Branagh ~ Ophelia's Burial YouTube - Branaugh's Hamlet - Part 4 (Act 5) - Treason (Revenge)

Honors English 4/Peters Setting: Elsinore, Denmark 1050 A.D. Shakespeare’s HAMLET Honors English 4/Peters

Hamlet (written in 1600) Most frequently produced play in the history of the Royal Shakespeare Company The subject of more scholarship than any other Shakespearean play Source of so many famous lines and latter-day phrases Not considered a “true” tragedy, but rather a “revenge” play

What is the highest-grossing adaptation of Hamlet to date?

Why teach Hamlet? Hamlet is a college-student. He has not yet been forced to apply his learning (other than academics). He is close to both of his parents. He is an only child. He is unmarried and too immature to be in a fully-committed relationship. He is an avoider and procrastinator. Hamlet deals with depression and suicidal ideations.

Before the play begins Claudius King Hamlet Gertrude brothers son Prince Hamlet 

When the play begins King Hamlet Gertrude Claudius Polonius, royal advisor to King siblings Prince Hamlet  Ophelia Laertes Fortinbras, Prince of Norway Wants to take over Denmark Horatio Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

At the time of the play, Denmark was an elective monarchy At the time of the play, Denmark was an elective monarchy. How does this differ from England’s monarchy? Elsinore Castle, Denmark

Act one, scene one The play begins with guards and a young courtier nervously assembled on the castle battlements. The reason for their vigil appears---a ghost. In fact, it is the ghost of the dead king, King Hamlet, but it will not speak to them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-NLnsq3P7Y Royal Shakespeare Company/BBC version

Act one, scene two Prince Hamlet, the ghost/king’s son, is at court, wearing mourning black amid everyone else’s bright colors. Everyone else at court is celebrating the marriage of Prince Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, to his uncle, Claudius, barely two months after King Hamlet’s death. YouTube - Hamlet - David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie. Act one, Scene 2. - Pt.1

Act one, scenes 3, 4, 5 YouTube - laertes and ophelia YouTube - hamlet ghost scene