2. Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy Consists of a Murder that has to be avenged by a relative of the victim. Typically, the victim’s ghost appears to demand revenge. Madness of some sort is worked into the events. This results in the death of the murderer, the avenger and a number of other characters.

3. Hamlet as Tragic Hero Look up “Tragedy” in your Literature Text. Tragic Flaw: “an error or defect in the tragic hero that leads to his downfall, such as greed, pride or ambition. This flaw may be the result of bad character, bad judgment, an inherited weakness, or any other defect in character.”

4. The Big Questions: What is Hamlet’s tragic flaw? Is Hamlet truly mad?

5. Themes and Ideas Appearance vs. Reality Madness Revenge Justice: Moral and Ethical Moral Ambiguity Human Chain of Being Play within a Play Textual Ambiguity

6. Tips for Reading Don’t skim or go too fast Two fingered reading Be patient Look up words you don’t know Write questions in the margins Interact with the text…be an ACTIVE READER Write small plot summaries in the margins next to the text.