1. AP Literature and Composition January 14, 2010 Ms. Cares

2. Agenda: 1.Read, read, read. 2.Key quotes – make those interpretations! 3. Discuss the following: - Claudius’ tone – 1594, 1596-1597 - Relationship between Ophelia, Laertes, and Polonius – 1602-1603

3. “A little more than kin, and less than kind!” (p. 1596, line 65). -Notice that this is Hamlet’s first aside. -We learn something of his character – he is unafraid of undermining his uncle, and he is skeptical of his uncle before he learns anything of Claudius’ actions towards King Hamlet. -Shakespeare is making a joke regarding the word “kin” and “kind.” “Kind” was used in the 17 th century as slang for “kindred,” or family. Therefore, he is playing upon the double meaning that although Claudius’ is now more “family” than he was before he married Gertrude, he is no more respected by Hamlet.

4. Hamlet’s first soliloquy - page 1598: Read as a class: –What do we learn about Hamlet’s state of mind? –The state of Denmark? –Hamlet’s feelings towards women?

5. Page 1598 – Hamlet’s state of mind: “O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew! His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! O God! God!” He wishes that his body would disappear, but he then laments the fact that God gave a direct law against committing suicide. We are to marvel at the depths of Hamlet’s despair. Cathartic?

6. Page 1598 – State of Denmark: “’tis an unweeded garden, That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely.” Hamlet recognizes that the relationship between his uncle and mother goes against nature. “[U]nweeded garden” connotes the Garden of Eden and the sin that is ongoing in Denmark. The word “possess” suggests that Hamlet feels defenseless against his family members’ actions.

7. Page 1598 – Hamlet’s attitude towards his mother/women: “Frailty, thy name is woman! – A little month, or ere those shoes were old With which she folllowed my poor father’s body, Like Niobe, all tears… She married. O, most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!”

8. Page 1598 – Hamlet’s attitude towards his mother/women: Hamlet does not merely condemn his mother; he condemns all women. Notice the use of active verbs. Hamlet suggests that his mother pursued Claudius/sought to marry him. He alludes to Niobe – what does this allusion suggest? “Incestuous sheets” – Hamlet, and Shakespeare, recognize that the marriage is “unnatural.”