Hamlet

Things you should know about Hamlet…. The plot is packed with The plot is packed with dysfunctional families, dysfunctional families, devious connivers devious connivers warring nations warring nations

So, what’s the attraction A young man returns home from college to find that his dad is dead A young man returns home from college to find that his dad is dead His loving mother is now remarried to the man that commandeered the throne His loving mother is now remarried to the man that commandeered the throne Suspicions of murder and treason Suspicions of murder and treason Spies Spies Some questioning lovers Some questioning lovers A ghost, and lets not forget……. A ghost, and lets not forget…….

Hamlet An army that is intent on seizing your land An army that is intent on seizing your land Let’s just say that Hamlet has issues! Let’s just say that Hamlet has issues!

Ingredients of Revenge A wrong must be righted – total payback! A wrong must be righted – total payback! A villain A villain A complex plot – (a little confusion keeps the reader on his/her toes) A complex plot – (a little confusion keeps the reader on his/her toes) Murders Murders A play within a play A play within a play Ghost Ghost

Ingredients of Revenge Suffering Heroine - Ophelia Suffering Heroine - Ophelia Madness Madness –People going crazy –People acting crazy –How do we know when madness is real or fake???

Themes of Yesteryear and Today Murder Murder Betrayal/Deception Betrayal/Deception Friendship Friendship Destroyed/Lost Love Destroyed/Lost Love Revenge Revenge Mental Illness Mental Illness Dysfunctional family & family pressures Dysfunctional family & family pressures

Let’s not forget these themes Ambition Ambition Sin and Corruption Sin and Corruption Isolation and loneliness Isolation and loneliness Disillusion (what we thought of someone turns out to be completely different) Disillusion (what we thought of someone turns out to be completely different) And everyone can relate to… And everyone can relate to… P–R–O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N P–R–O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N

Background Shakespeare may have used the story of Hamlet to reflect the concerns of his own time. (Cultural Capitol) Shakespeare may have used the story of Hamlet to reflect the concerns of his own time. (Cultural Capitol) During the Elizabethan Era social order was very important. During the Elizabethan Era social order was very important.

Background – continue Hamlet depicts a conflict over what to do when an orderly state is actually corrupt from the inside and there seems to be no civilized answer on how to right a wrong. Hamlet depicts a conflict over what to do when an orderly state is actually corrupt from the inside and there seems to be no civilized answer on how to right a wrong. KEEP THIS IN MIND WHILE YOU ARE READING KEEP THIS IN MIND WHILE YOU ARE READING

So how do I read the Bard and not go Nuts???? 1. Read the Introduction 2. Look at the footnotes to gain a better understanding 3. Look up words you don’t know 4. Keep a list of characters 5. Write a nightly summary

Rule of Thumb If you can’t understand a particular passage, it’s probably about sex. If you can’t understand a particular passage, it’s probably about sex. You are reading a play which was intended to be spoken, NOT READ SILENTLY. Remember, 90% of Shakespeare’s audience was illiterate. You are reading a play which was intended to be spoken, NOT READ SILENTLY. Remember, 90% of Shakespeare’s audience was illiterate.