1. The death of Hamlet…and everyone else.
(Except for Horatio
and Fortinbras)

2. Rest in Peace King Hamlet Polonius Ophelia
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Laertes
Claudius
Gertrude
Hamlet

3. Let’s talk theme 4 theme statements
“Loyalty and obligation to family can drive an individual to drastic measures.”
“Feelings of self-reproach often lead to desperate attempts to make amends for past indiscretions.”
“The definition and identification of insanity is left to the outside observer.”
“A desire for vindictive retribution can lead to an epidemic of vengeful acts.”
Break class into 4 groups – assign each group a statement

4. In your group, With your assigned theme statement:
Determine if there is anything you’d like to change or adapt in the statement to make it stronger.
Look at vocabulary, modifiers, structure and applicability to the play
Once you have a statement you are satisfied with:
Choose 1 or 2 characters who support the theme
Find 2 textual examples for each character which help to further supports the theme

5. Example for A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Theme: “Love can drive people to drastic, sometimes erratic, decisions.”
Characters that support:
Helena
She decides to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans to run away: “I will go tell him of Hermia’s flight; / then to the wood will he to-morrow night / pursue her…” ( ).
She is confrontational when both of the men are (under the influence of magic) in love with her: “Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray; / My legs are longer though, to run away” ( ).
Lysander and Demetrius
They decide to participate in a duel for the love of Helena (under the influence of the magic). Act 3, Scene 2.
Demetrius is verbally abusive to Helena because he is in love with Hermia: “For I am sick when I do look on thee” ( ).

6. With your examples Share with the class your support for your theme
The Rest of class: write down each theme and the support for each theme
Homework (in your RJ):
Choose the statement that you feel is the best supported and craft an extended paragraph explaining the theme using the support given by the group

7. Remember the statements?
4 theme statements
“Loyalty and obligation to family can drive an individual to drastic measures.”
“Feelings of self-reproach often lead to desperate attempts to make amends for past indiscretions.”
“The definition and identification of insanity is left to the outside observer.”
“A desire for vindictive retribution can lead to an epidemic of vengeful acts.”
Break class into 4 groups – assign each group a statement

8. Homework Homework (in your RJ):
Choose the statement that you feel is the best supported and craft an extended paragraph explaining the theme using the support given by the group.
DUE TOMORROW