1. 3.1 In your notes
Why does Hamlet react to Ophelia this way? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Summarize the “To be” speech in 1-2 sentences.

2. Hamlet
And literary theory

3. Introduction to Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism
Although philosophers, critics, educators, and authors have been writing about writing since ancient times, contemporary “schools” of literary theory have joined from these discussions and now influence how scholars look at and write about literature.
A very basic way of thinking about literary theory is that these ideas act as different lenses critics use to view and talk about art, literature, and even culture.

4. Introduction to Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism
These different lenses allow critics to consider works of art based on certain assumptions within that school of theory.
The different lenses also allow critics to focus on particular aspects of a work they consider important.
Many critics use tools from two or more schools in their work.

5. Timeline (most of these overlap)
Schools of Criticism
These are some of the major movements in critical theory. Though the timeline below roughly follows a chronological order, some schools are closer together because they are so closely aligned.
Timeline (most of these overlap)
Moral Criticism, Dramatic Construction (~360 BC-present)
Formalism, New Criticism, Neo-Aristotelian Criticism (1930s-present)
Psychoanalytic Criticism, Jungian Criticism(1930s-present)
Marxist Criticism (1930s-present)
Reader-Response Criticism (1960s-present)
Structuralism/Semiotics (1920s-present)
Post-Structuralism/Deconstruction (1966-present)
New Historicism/Cultural Studies (1980s-present)
Post-Colonial Criticism (1990s-present)
Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)
Gender/Queer Studies (1970s-present)
Critical Race Theory (1970s-present)

6. Schools of Criticism Examples Marxist Criticism Gender Studies
For example, if a critic is working with certain Marxist theories, she might focus on how the characters in a story interact based on their economic situation. If a critic is employing the lens of gender studies, he might consider the same story but look at how characters are treated because of their sex and/or gender.

7. Psychoanalytic Criticism
One branch of psychoanalytic criticism stems from Freudian analysis (which has since been largely debunked).
Example questions from a psychoanalytic critic:
Are there any oedipal dynamics - or any other family dynamics - are work here? (Critics use this question to examine Hamlet.)
What does the work suggest about the psychological being of its author?
What might a given interpretation of a literary work suggest about the psychological motives of the reader?
"What is Hamlet's problem?"

8. Psychological Criticism
“What is Hamlet's problem?”
One way to interpret Hamlet’s actions is through psychological criticism. A psychological lens examines the psychology of the character (without the Freudian or Jungian baggage associated with psychoanalytic criticism).
Psychological critics might say that Hamlet is experiencing depression-based suicidal tendencies or an anxiety disorder and support this assertion with evidence from the play.

9. Practicing Employing a Psychological Lens
We’re going to practice employing a psychological lens by looking at Hamlet’s most famous speech: “To be or not to be”
We’re going to do this by discussing how Hamlet displays what today’s psychologists would call suicide warning signs.
Your job will be to look for one or more of these warning signs in his speech.

10. Suicide Warning Signs: Which of these does Hamlet display?
Talk
Behavior
Mood
If a person talks about:
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:
Killing themselves
Looking for a way to kill themselves
Not being able to see past immediate problems
Acting recklessly
Withdrawing from activities
Depression
Being a burden to others
Loss of interest
Isolating from family and friends
Feeling trapped
Rage
Experiencing unbearable pain
Irritability
Sleeping too much or too little
Humiliation
Having no reason to live
Anxiety
Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
Trivializing or romanticizing death
Aggression
Giving away prized possessions or settling accounts

11. Hamlet & Mental Health
We could write a whole dissertation about Hamlet’s suicidal tendencies in this speech alone, let alone the whole play. This would be employing the psychological lens: an interesting way to view the play but perhaps not Shakespeare’s focus.
Of course, analyzing Hamlet in this way isn’t the only lens through which to view the play, but it’s clear that it brings up some important questions of mental health.

12. Hamlet & Mental Health
It’s easier to read great works and focus on literary elements, but it’s more important to think about how these ideas apply to our lives.
As a society, we need to talk more about mental health.

13. Let’s talk about mental health.

14. Mental Health

15. Mental Health
Teenagers’ brains are more controlled by the amygdala (the emotional center) than adults’ brains.
The amygdala “develops way ahead of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of reasoning and executive control. This means that adolescents have a brain that is wired with an enhanced capacity for fear and anxiety, but is relatively underdeveloped when it comes to calm reasoning.”
Richard A. Friedman, professor of clinical psychiatry and the director of the psychopharmacology clinic at the Weill Cornell Medical College.
Neuropsychologist William Stixrud points out that “brains change over time.” “He finds it ‘enormously useful’ to be able to explain to teenagers that it’s their ‘sensitive and reactive amygdala’ that causes them to feel things more strongly than others do but also makes it harder to live in their own skins.”

16. Mental Health
Because teenagers’ brains are wired differently, you may feel emotion more strongly than adults.
The stress and anxiety that you feel might be good ol’ “teenage angst.”
But sometimes it’s something else.
One of the things that everyone (including, of course, teenagers) can experience is depression.

17. Depression
Depression is a serious but treatable disorder that affects millions of people, from young to old and from all walks of life. It gets in the way of everyday life, causing tremendous pain, hurting not just those suffering from it, but also impacting everyone around them.
Depression is not anyone’s fault.
You can’t “fix” someone else’s depression. 
Talk to an adult you trust if you are concerned about depression in yourself or someone else.
As we saw in our discussion of Hamlet, depression is one of the suicide warning signs.

18. Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).
43,000 Americans die each year from suicide.
In Oklahoma, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages
I wish we never had to talk about this because it’s so hard to discuss. Many people in this room have been affected by this issue, and it can be an emotional one.
But that’s also what makes it so important to talk about openly.

19. Suicide Prevention (This info is on my website and on your card!)
To find support if you or a friend is affected by thoughts of suicide, visit 
If you’re in crisis, you can call the Lifeline at any time to speak to someone. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the United States, call  TALK (8255).
You can also visit  chat online. You can download a free app at 
Other helpful links:

20. Your Mental Health
You may not be depressed or suicidal (or know anyone who is).
But that doesn’t mean that your mental health can be ignored.

21. Self-Care
Self-care is important for everyone, whether you feel stressed or not .
It’s important to find the best way for you to deal with stress, anxiety, fear, etc., in a healthy way.
Take care of yourself physically!
This means getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and exercising. When you take care of yourself physically, you will reap the benefits academically, emotionally, psychologically and interpersonally.
Find a way to express yourself
Music, journals, art, sports, etc.
Find connections (people you feel free to speak to) both at school and out of it.
Make a mental (or literal) note of your favorite coping skills and don’t lose sight of them.

22. Self-Care Tips This info is on my website (and on your card!)
Identify what activities help you feel your best. Self-care for one person will mean something completely different for someone else. One person may need more alone time, for example, while another may nurture herself by spending more time out with friends. 
Put it on your calendar - in ink! Take a close look at your calendar and carve out one or two hours for self-care and stick to it. This may take extra prep, but it's worth it. 
Sneak in self-care where you can. If you don't have huge chunks of time, you can still fit in little moments of relaxation. Don't wait to add self-care to your life until your schedule frees up (you might be waiting a while to forever). Try taking just five minutes to close your eyes and take some deep breaths, or go for a quick 10-minute walk. These small steps can make a big difference. 
Surround yourself with great people. Make sure that the people in your life are upbeat, positive, and know how to enjoy life! 
Consider the quality of self-care. Go for quality, especially when quantity is lacking. For instance, rather than getting sucked into channel surfing for hours, watch only shows you've recorded that you truly enjoy.

23. Self-Care Tips This info is on my website
Take a walk outside
Write a love letter to yourself
Write about something you are grateful for in your life
Create a happy playlist and a coping playlist
Watch your favorite movie
Forgive someone
Forgive yourself
Say thank you to someone who has helped you recently
Create a DIY self-care kit of things that make you feel better
Take a new fitness class at the gym (yoga, Zumba, etc.)
Plan a lunch date with someone you haven’t seen in a while
Pamper yourself with an at-home spa day
Take a day off from social media and the Internet
Reach out to your support system
Cuddle with your pets or a friend’s pet
Take a hot shower or bath
Volunteer
Sit with your emotions, and allow yourself to feel and accept them. It’s okay to laugh, cry, just feel whatever you’re feeling with no apologies!
Take the time to find 5 beautiful things during your daily routine
Take a nap

24. Self-Care
In your agenda or notes, make a list of your own favorite self-care tools.