1. Introduction to Hamlet

2. Themes in Hamlet Appearance versus reality Appearance versus reality Corruption, disease, and death Corruption, disease, and death Parents and children Parents and children Justice and revenge Justice and revenge

3. Themes in Hamlet (2) Sanity and madness Sanity and madness Destiny and the purpose of life Destiny and the purpose of life Rights and duties of kingship Rights and duties of kingship

4. Basic Elements of a Revenge Tragedy A hero has been violently wronged and is justified in seeking revenge. A hero has been violently wronged and is justified in seeking revenge.

5. Basic Elements of a Revenge Tragedy (2) His revenge must be aimed at an opponent equal to him in power and cunning. His revenge must be aimed at an opponent equal to him in power and cunning.

6. Basic Elements of a Revenge Tragedy (3) There must be an atmosphere of gloom and terror – usually with supernatural elements. There must be an atmosphere of gloom and terror – usually with supernatural elements.

7. Basic Elements of a Revenge Tragedy (4) A woman the hero loves must be involved in the action. A woman the hero loves must be involved in the action.

8. Basic Elements of a Revenge Tragedy (5) A counterplot (or subplot) needs to be started by the antagonist to defend himself; this will engulf the hero as he accomplishes his own vengeance. A counterplot (or subplot) needs to be started by the antagonist to defend himself; this will engulf the hero as he accomplishes his own vengeance.

9. Basic Elements of a Revenge Tragedy (6) The hero achieves “poetic justice” on Earth and is punished by heaven for committing murder. The hero achieves “poetic justice” on Earth and is punished by heaven for committing murder.

10. Elizabethan Belief in Ghosts Spirits are unable to rest due to unfinished business on Earth. Spirits are unable to rest due to unfinished business on Earth.

11. Elizabethan Belief in Ghosts (2) The devil is disguised as a human (or ghost) in order to trap us and damn us. The devil is disguised as a human (or ghost) in order to trap us and damn us.

12. Elizabethan Belief in Ghosts (3) Hallucinations Hallucinations Signs of evil Signs of evil

13. Hamlet – the character Hamlet is the most complex character any playwright has ever placed on stage. Hamlet is the most complex character any playwright has ever placed on stage.

14. Interpretations of Hamlet’s Character Ineffectual soul unable to take action (indecisive). Ineffectual soul unable to take action (indecisive).

15. Interpretations of Hamlet’s Character (2) (In the late 19 th century) a manic depressive. (In the late 19 th century) a manic depressive.

16. Interpretations of Hamlet’s Character (3) Freudian analysis – he desires to take his father’s place, feels guilt when his father suddenly dies, and resents his new surrogate father.

17. Interpretations of Hamlet’s Character (4) A moral person who cannot bring himself to do what he knows is morally wrong. A moral person who cannot bring himself to do what he knows is morally wrong.

18. The Four Humors (Bodily Fluids) and Hamlet Black bile – melancholy – depressed (indecisive) Black bile – melancholy – depressed (indecisive) Choler - choleric - powerful Choler - choleric - powerful

19. The Four Humors (Bodily Fluids) and Hamlet (2) Yellow bile - sanguine – friendly/popular Yellow bile - sanguine – friendly/popular Phlegm - phlegmatic – laid back Phlegm - phlegmatic – laid back

20. The Four Humors (Bodily Fluids) and Hamlet (3) Hamlet is known as “The Melancholic Prince.” Hamlet is known as “The Melancholic Prince.”

21. Hamlet is: Character is: CleverPoloniusThick-headed HonestClaudiusDishonest Displays decency Gertrude Displays impropriety Emotionally strong Ophelia Emotionally weak Man of thought Fortinbras Man of action Has scruples LaertesUnscrupulous