1. Hamlet William Shakespeare

2. Publication Probably written in 1600 or 1601 First performed in July 1602

3. Setting Denmark Medieval Period

4. Hamlet Cont. Critics claim the most powerful and influential tragedies in the English Language.

5. The Story Hamlet’s uncle murders father and then marries his mother Hamlet’s uncle becomes king Hamlet feigns insanity to exact revenge

6. Hamlet Prince of Denmark About 30 years old Son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet Nephew of the present king, Claudius.

7. Hamlet continued Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical. Full of hatred for his uncle's scheming and disgust for his mother's sexuality. Studied at the University of Wittenberg Sometimes indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash and impulsive acts.

8. Claudius The King of Denmark Hamlet's uncle Kills Hamlet’s father to become King The play's antagonist and villain Calculating, ambitious politician Driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power

9. Gertrude The Queen of Denmark Hamlet's mother Married to King Claudius Prefers her social status over moral obligations

10. The Ghost (King Hamlet) The specter of Hamlet's recently deceased father Killed by King Claudius Asks Hamlet to avenge his death

11. Polonius The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court Pompous, conniving old man Father of Laertes and Ophelia.

12. Ophelia Polonius' daughter Hamlet is in love with her Obeys her father and her brother, Laertes.

13. Laertes Polonius's son Ophelia's brother Spends a lot of time in France Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil for the reflective Hamlet.

14. Famous Actors who have played Hamlet: Laurence Oliver Mel Gibson Kenneth Branagh

15. Famous Hamlets Ethan Hawke Jude Law David Tennent

16. Entertainment inspired by Hamlet: The Lion King Gladiator Strange Brew Renaissance Man Episodes of Star Trek, The Simpsons, South Park

17. Hamlet Themes: –Indecision –Inability to Act –Uncertainty –Impuslivity –Death/Suicide Motif: Decay

18. Hamlet Vocabulary Week #1 (Act I) quiz THURSDAY 3/5 1. entreated- to beg; to ask 2. assail- to attack 3. fortified - shielded; secured; protected 4. illume- to brighten; to lighten 5. usurp- to seize; to confiscate 6. avouch- to certify; to confirm; to guarantee 7. esteemed- to honor; to respect; to prize; to treasure 8. ratified- approved; confirmed; legalized 9. mettle.- endurance; bravery 10. resolutes- brave; fearless; relentless people

19. Hamlet Vocabulary Week #2 (Act II) 11. portentous- foreboding; threatening; sinister 12. privy - made participant in a secret 13. discretion - permission to make decisions with own judgement 14. auspicious- delightful; joyous; happy; lucky; favorable 15. dirge- funeral song; death march 16. dole - sadness 17. visage- the face or facial expression of a person 18. denote- to indicate; to mark; to signal; to mean 19. countenance - appearance; facial expression / v.- to condone 20. requite - to avenge

20. Hamlet Vocabulary Week #3 (Act III-IV) 1.Beseech-to beg eagerly 2.Pious- showing an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligation 3.Insolence-contemptuously rude behavior or speech 4.Robust- strong and healthy 5.Distemper- deranged condition of mind or body 6.Mortised- to join securely 7.Bulwark- a wall built for defense 8.Apoplexy- a stroke 9.Cozened- to cheat or deceive 10. superflous- excessive