1. William Shakespeare

2. Shakespeare Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, son of a glover
Married Anne Hathaway and had 3 children, Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet
In London by 1592, working in theater and building a reputation for his plays
Began as an actor
Famous for his work in the Globe Theater

3. Shakespeare
Eventually earned enough to purchase the title of gentleman for his father
Retired to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1612
Famous for sonnets as well as plays
Shakespearean/English sonnets: 3 quatrains and a couplet, with the turn still around line 9, but the closing couplet providing the theme.

4. Shakespeare’s sonnets
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; 
Coral is far more red than her lips' red; 
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; 
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head; 
I have seen roses damasked, red and white, 
But no such roses see I in her cheeks; 
And in some pérfumes is there more delight 
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. 
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know 
That music hath a far more pleasing sound. 
I grant I never saw a goddess go; 
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.                 
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare                
 As any she belied with false compare
Compare to Petrarch’s conceit-filled sonnets

5. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Main character, Hamlet, usually considered the tragic hero
Hamlet’s father, Hamlet Sr, the king, has died. The queen, Gertrude, marries Hamlet Sr’s brother, Claudius, shortly after. Hamlet still mourns his father and is disappointed in his mother’s “frailty” and lack of faithfulness. He now distrusts woman’s love

6. Hamlet
At the beginning of the play, Hamlet Sr’s ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him and asks Hamlet to get revenge, which becomes Hamlet’s focus for the rest of the play
Side plots involve a romantic relationship with Ophelia and impending war with Fortinbras of Norway, both of which become important and culminate in the tragic end of the play.

7. Critical Analysis Topics
Hamlet’s possible Oedipus Complex
Hamlet’s hesitation
Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia
Women’s faithfulness
Motifs of betrayal, revenge, Christianity versus Roman ethos, existentialism, loyalty, faith in supernatural, etc.
Hamlet’s insanity