HW: Read through 1.2. Describe the situation in Denmark

Do Now: Choose a genre of book or movie. Write about what happens in the first five minutes/first 5 pages of the opening scene.

-Lots of different landscapes, war, epic battle, music in the background, Fantasy movie-People start singing and dancing- Musical-Boy meets girl- romantic comedy-tumbleweed- western-parachute on a rooftop- James bond- Action

Aim: How does Shakespeare introduce the setting and mood for the opening of Hamlet?

Background info on Hamlet-Based on a legend of Prince Amleth of Denmark-Another play by Thomas Kidd, similar to Hamlet, Shakespeare wrote a better version of the play-1602-1604

-Play is suppose to take place in Ancient Denmark, but seems like it took place in Shakespeare’s time-Elizabethan dress and costumes-Greatest of Shakespeare’s plays-Scholars try to argue against Hamlet-A proving ground for actors, Mel Gibson, Jude Law-Renaissance world view- Great Chain of Being, Correspondence

-Midnight-danger, they can only hear each other, changing of the guard-They see a ghost-Horatio, scholar, friend of Hamlet, returned from college, believe there is a ghost-Ghosts in Shakespeare- They need to accomplish something, they tell the future, warnings-Starts to believe in the ghost-The king ghost was dressed in battle armor, fought against Norway and Poland-Appearance of ghost strange-Correspondence, disorder in the human world reflects disorder in

the spiritual world, Something wrong in Denmark ghost appears-Denmark- making cannons and making ships, working through the weekend and through the night preparing for war-Fortinbras was King of Norway, and Hamlet killed him, Fortinbras forfeited his lands-Now Young Fortinbras is angry and gathering an army and attempt to recapture Denmark- The night before Julius Cesar was assassinated, there was a massive storm Correspondence, natural order, Storm Gods were angry that Cesar was going to get assassinated, the conspirators viewed Julius Cesar as ruining the natural order-Sign

What is the mood that has been set, and how does Shakespeare set it?-Danger and Suspense, Darkness, Supernatural, War

11/20/09HW: finish 1.2. Annotate the soliloquy for literary elements and devices

Do Now: List all of the elements of a strong opening scene.-Excitement-Grab the reader’s attention and introduce the main charactersGhost-Why is this happening? Leaves some questions in the reader’s mind good ghost or bad ghost?-Description of a setting Denmark-Plot- main conflicts revealed King is dead-We know nothing about Hamlet and the main conflict

Aim: How does Shakespeare introduce the mood, setting, characters and conflict?

-The rooster indicates morning, ghosts go away -They want to tell young Hamlet about the ghost-Scene 2 takes place in the King’s court with his entire counsel, people come before the king to make petitions and requests-Claudius- King of Denmark, Old Hamlet’s brother and young Hamlet’s uncle-Death of Old Hamlet is still fresh, we should be in mourning but can’t be because of other things

-Reason is more important than emotion at this point-The King has married his Sister in Law (Gertrude), way of consolidating the power of the new king-Antithesis- contrast positive with negative in parallel form, “Mirth in Funeral”-The emotions are mixed up-Nobody objected the marriage and accepted his authority as the new king-Young Fortinbras is trying to attack Denmark, because of its weak state, the old king is dead and the country is in mourning-He is demanding a letter to surrender the lands gained by Old Hamlet-The king of Norway is Young Fortinbras’ uncle, similar to the situation in Denmark.-Claudius is going to send a diplomatic envoy to Norway to tell the bed-ridden king of his nephew’s actions

-Claudius- decisive, in control, making strong decisions, cold and calculating (Machiavellian character- renaissance idea), more diplomatic

than Old Hamlet, more of a politician than a warrior-Competent Ruler? Yes made a smooth transition

-Horatio, Hamlet and Laertes have all returned to Denmark for the funeral and coronation-Laertes did not mention the funeral because of something shady-Hamlet is the last one to say his petition -Hamlet does not approve of Claudius-Hamlet is still in mourning for his father-sunpun as King’s son-Gertrude is not mourning for the king-The word “seems” gets Hamlet upset because he doesn’t seem sad, he IS sad-Appearance vs Reality, are you what you seem to be? Or are you pretending to be someone else?-to be or not to be?-The idea of playing a role, the play is a metaphor for life-Rift between Hamlet and his parents

11/23/09

HW: read 1.3 for Wednesday

Do Now: Describe your state of mind at this moment.

- cluttered mind- vacation, testing- blank- tired, slow

Aim: How can we analyze Hamlet’s state of mind?“A little more than kind and less than kind”

- Hamlet upset when she says that she “seems” upset

- Difference between what you seem to be and what you actually are

- Pg 27- King says its not manly to grieve; offensive to the dead to grieve

- Hamlet doesn’t agree until mother asks him to

- Soliloquy- reveals true feelings; dramatic irony

-Hamlet wants to melt and disappear-Can’t kill himself because its against religion-Literary Elements:

Epizeuxis- repetition of the same word to show emotion; example: line 136 Fie- exclamation; upset

- Comparing life to garden- life is useless; garden becomes full of weeds

- Hyperion- Sun god Claudius is mockery of king Allusion- Niobe- grief stricken at loss of her children- “Ere yet the salt of the most unrighteous

tears”o Personification- unrighteous tears= false

tearso Imagery- language that appeals to the 5

senses- Horatio is condescending and sarcastic

toward Hamlet- Foreshadowing Hamlet seeing the ghost (pg

33, line 190)- Hamlet believes in ghost- “Sable silvered”- middle aged - Hamlet suspects foul playHow can we evaluate Hamlet’s state of mind?

- Conflicted, troubled, eager to believe in the ghost because it gives him hope

11/25/09HW: Read 1.4, 1.5. Write one paragraph about how Hamlet reacts to the ghost

Do Now: Speculate about what others say about you when you’re not around.

- Making fun of you- Mean spirited comments

Literary Technique- Indirect Characterization- finding out about

a character by what other characters say; things we can infer about the character from his or her actions

Aim: How does Shakespeare indirectly characterize Hamlet in Act I Scene III?

- Hamlet has been courting Ophelia- Laertes tells Ophelia it is temporary

o Hamlet, being royal, might have to marry someone else

o Hamlet has to keep in mind what is best for Denmark

o If Hamlet were to be with Ophelia and suddenly leave for someone else, he would lose his honor

o Moon- symbol of purity- Ophelia tells Laertes not to be a hypocrite

o Isn’t submissive to Laertes- Polonius gives Laertes advice before he

leaveso Think before you speako Don’t have too much funo Avoid fights but know how to fighto Dress rich but not gaudyo Don’t borrow or lend moneyo Be true to yourself

- Is Hamlet being true to himself?o Needs to clear things up about himself

and how he feels- Hamlet has been courting Ophelia since he

returned- Polonius concerned that Ophelia may lose

her honorable nameo Tells Ophelia that shes not allowed to

speak to Hamlet and receive letters fromh im

o

11/30/09HW: finish act 1. Annotate hamlet’s soliloquy

Do Now: How do authors/playwrights/directors raise dramatic tension?

- music- descriptions/details- environment- false relief of attention- dialogue between characters- silence

Aim: How does Shakespeare raise dramatic tension in Scene 1 Act 5?

- Description; Details about the murder- Setting- Time of day (midnight), location

(roof), weather (cold, wind)- Argument between Hamlet and friends over

whether he should follow ghost- Presence of ghost-

Scene IV

- Pg 49 Flourish of trumpets- signals that ghost of the king is coming

- Ghost may be evil and trying to lead Hamlet down wrong path

- Personification: Act I. Scene IV, lines 52-55- Horatio thinks ghost will lead Hamlet to

cliff to die- Line 93- third reference to Hercules

Scene V- Ghost wants Hamlet to take revenge for his

death- Snake = Claudius

o Serpent = treacheryo Claudius put poison into his ear

- Old Hamlet asks Hamlet to avenge him but not to kill wife

- 2 possibilities:o Kill Claudius- would show that ghost is

real and goodo Ghost is evil

- Ghost is telling the trutho Claudius tells Hamlet to be manly not

grieveo Claudius on throne when Hamlet should

be next in line

o Line 14- suspicious; marriage just to legitimize himself

12/1/09HW: read 2.1.Answer the following focus questions:

1. How much time has passed between the two acts?

2. Why is Ophelia upset when she enters?3. Characterize Polonius based on his

actions in this scene.Do now: If you were at a performance of Hamlet, what would you talk about during the intermission? - revenge plot line- good ghost? Bad ghost?- Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship?Exposition: where characters, setting and major conflicts are introduced. (protasis) (first act)Epitasis: “plot thickens” (second and third acts)Shakespeare plays: 5 actsAim: How does Shakespeare affect the exposition/protasis?

Apostrophe: an address to someone other than the audience, usually towards an inanimate object. “O___” heighten drama and emotion102: 10 syllables103: 11 syllables <- more syllables = heightens emotionsp.63: short, broken lines: shows emotionHamlet starts to act crazy here.Extra Credit: Why is Saint Patrick (p.65) relevant here? Cite one source.Swearing on a sword: shaped like a cross, swearing on your life.At the end of acts there is usually a rhyming couplet. At the end of Act 1 there is another line. This shows confusion

12/2/09HW: Read 2.2 through line 405List the evidence for and against Hamlet’s sanity.Cite quotes to support your analysis

Do Now: Write about a situation that you inadvertently made more complicated. What did you do? What were you trying to accomplish?

How did your action make the situation more complicated?

- Broke something and forced to fix it- Lied about where you were- Postponing

Epitasis- thickening of the plot; complications of the plot

Aim: How does Shakespeare begin to complicate the plot in Act II Scene I?Plots

- Hamlet’s sanity v insanity- Whether Claudius killed old Hamlet or not- Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship- Ghost story- Preparations for war in Denmark- Laertes life in college and Paris

Epitasis allows you to get to higher climax and develop plots

- Few months passed between Act I and Act II- Polonius sends someone to spy on son

doesn’t trust; skeptic1. Identify which plots Shakespeare decides to

complicate.2. How does he complicate the plots?

Ophelia and Hamlet- Develops: Hamlet has feelings for her;

Ophelia rejects his letters- Hamlet is crazy and angryOphelia

interprets it as Hamlet being in love with her- Polonius says he will tell the king that

Hamlet is crazy- Addresses Hamlet’s sanity and characterizes

Polonius

Doesn’t address preparation of war and revenge Builds anticipation and suspense Make audience remember and keep it in the back of their mind Lay groundwork for other plots

Number of plots becomes simplified because they begin to merge

12/4/09HW: Finish the scene. Answer the following focus questions:

1. Why does Hamlet feel bad after talking to the players?

2. TWE does he seem sane when speaking with the players?

Do Now: What would you do if you thought you or one of your friends was going crazy?

- Try and help- Find out why- Tell them what they were doing wrong

Aim: How can we evaluate Hamlet’s insanity?1. How does Hamlet behave towards the

character?2. How does the character react to Hamlet?3. TWE does he same sane or insane?4. TWE does he seem genuine?

Ophelia- Grabbing her; violent- She thinks he’s upset that he lost her- Hamlet uses the phrase “beautified”; letter is cliché - King believes Hamlet is mad because of his father’s death

Polonius- Being rude towards Polonius and insulting

him- Polonius believes there is a method to

Hamlet’s madness- Hamlet uses jokes and puns with Polonius

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- Hamlet realizes that they are spies sent by

Claudius and what their purpose is- Hamlet says he’s upset because his father

died- 3

12/7/09HW: Reread and annotate the soliloquy (p117-118) Read 3.1 for Wed.

Do Now: Write about the different types of language that you use when you’re talking with the following types of people:

Your FriendsYour siblings

Your parentsYour teachers-same,mood,habit

Aim- How does Shakespeare’s use of language reflect the turmoil in Denmark?the story from the aenied Polonius’s opinion of the actors changed. Originally doesn’t like them, hamlet continues to insult. Polonius eventually is impressediambic pentameter is Shakespeare’s styleis writing in poetry/verse.Blank verse- has meter/structure but no rhyme.Noble characters speak in poetryLower characters speak in prose/not poetry.(e.x 119)First player- beginning speaks in pros then into iambic pentameterPolonius – also speaks in prose

Why does Shakespeare choose for the nobles to speak in prose and the lower in verse?Everything is backwards

12/8/09HW: Read 3.1. Annotate the “To be or not

to be” soliloquy,

Do Now: Write about the last time that you were really angry. Why were you angry? How did you behave?-Failing, went out anyway-opposite-scream yell that kind of thing, throw things break thing any of that type of thing, attack.-lift weights that type of thing-channel and changeAim- how is hamlet affected by his anger? How does he change?

When does hamlet change? Mark“and cleave”-590Started talking quickly, yelling“and all for nothing”How does he change?When he mentions clawdius

“Impregnate of my cause’

Hamlets kingdom has been stolenSlap across the face is how to start a fightRhetorical questions/device.Hamlet calls himself a coward.

Hamlet wants hard proof before he acts.We see more doubt at the end of the soliloquy.

Do you think this change is permanent?Needs to be angry

12/9/09HW: How does Shakespeare develop Hamlet’s character in this scene (3.1)?

Go see the play!

Do Now: Write about an aspect of your personality that is not apparent when someone first meets you.-transparent,

Aim- How does Shakespeare develop Claudius’s character in act 3 scene 1?Initial impression – cautious, kingly, decisive

Now- sneaky, doing the action himself, stubborn

Aside-talking to the audienceThe speech changes our view of Claudius turns him into the villain of the play, Makes Claudius more human, it means the plot of the play is likely to work

To what extent do you have a positive or negative view of Claudius based on this scene? Why?Shows he is sneaky, and curious

He is more positive, doesn’t justify,

Hamlet is not necessarily typical hero

“To be or not to be” – literally exists. To be or overcome all that stuff is nobleTo die is no more than to sleep

12/11/09

HW: Read and annotate 3.2 (explain what you don’t understand)

Do Now: Characterize the mugger in the following story:

A man mugged another man on the subway yesterday stealing all of his money.Poor, desperate, justified, older, sloppier, greedy, irresponsibleRobin hood- bad, spoiling,Aim- how did our characterization of hamlet change?The law has been delayed because Claudius has not been brought to justice.Unworthy to rule- Claudius, mother, hamletIf hamlet kills Claudius then he might be worthy.

Why wouldn’t hamlet kill Claudius? Consequences, position as prince, conscience

1) Find evidence to make your statement trueGroup1- hamlet doesn’t know he is being spied onHe asked Ophelia where his father is (141.3.1)Doesn’t/Does notice Ophelia.Group2- hamlet does know he’s being spied on

2) Characterize hamlet based on the statement

12/15/09Read 3.3.

TWE does the king seem sincere?TWE are the king’s actions consistent with his previous actions in the play?

Do Now: Which mousetrap do you think is most effective? Why?

- glue trap is most effective- cats- poisonous piece of cheese- mouse maze most effective because you can

decide what you want to do with it after the mouse is captured

Aim: In what ways does Hamlet create an effective mousetrap? Similarities between mouse traps

- bait

- traps or kills the mouse- surprise- simple- waiting time

- Identify all of the elements of the mousetrap in the scene- Find a quote to support each one

Bait – Hamlet acting mad, Claudius’ curiosity, playTrap – Play

To what extent does it trap him?

12/16/09Read and annotate 3.4

Do Now: Knowledge kills actions; action requires one to be shrouded in a veil of illusion—Friedrich Nietzsche, The Birth of Tragedy

- disregards the fact that you can be thinking about something but still be right

Aim: How can we evaluate Hamlet’s actions?- Claudius perceives Hamlet as a threat- Wants to send Hamlet on a diplomatic

mission to England- Polonius plans to eavesdrop on Hamlet and

Gertrude’s conversation

- Earlier in the play, Claudius doesn’t feel guilty

- As the play goes on, the guilt begins to build up

Hamlet [has] gazed into the true essence of things. [He has] acquired knowledge [yet he] finds action repulsive. –Nietzsche

- against: lack of knowledge

Hamlet overreaches himself at the moment of triumph….one might argue that damnation is God’s business, not Hamlet’s and, that having aspired to play the role of god, Hamlet has gone too far and deserves his punishment.–Isaac Asimov

- Hamlet has the right to play the role of G-d because he was supposed to be king

- Entire play represents Hamlet’s hubris

Hamlet lacks faith in his own self. He must define his existence by others. He would like to become what the Greek tragic hero is (Orestes, Oedipus) a creature of situation. Hence his inabilities to act, he can only…play at possibilities–W.H. Auden

- ghost is similar to the prophecy in Oedipus- Hamlet is never forced to do anything. He

must make the choice to do it

Write your own thesis statement about why Hamlet doesn’t act.

- Hamlet doesn’t want to kill Claudius, because by killing Claudius, he would become like Claudius.

- Hamlet is a drama queen.- Hamlet is not mentally prepared yet, to kill

Claudius.- Hamlet doesn’t act because he is waiting for

the correct time to kill Claudius.- Hamlet is afraid of the consequences.

12/18/09HW: Read 4.1, 4.2, 4.3List the consequences (chart) of Hamlet’s actions in act III.Thursday 02/05/2010 Shakespeare Contest

Do Now: Write about a time when you or someone you know was blinded by rage.

- dad broke the table out of anger- broke opponent’s nose- blinded to: the truth, rational thought, own

actions, own strength, consequences

Aim: In what ways does Hamlet’s anger, blind him to the consequences of his actions?

- Hamlet may transfer or project his anger at himself, onto his mother

- Hamlet kills Polonius- Informs Gertrude about his plan- Insults Gertrude- Hamlet reveals that he has been pretending

to be crazy and his plan to escape Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

What are the possible consequences of the action? In what ways might these consequences help/hinder Hamlet’s revenge?

Revealing his suspicions to Gertrude- she might tell Claudius and hinder Hamlet’s

plan- Gertrude may feel bad for her actions

Revealing his state of mind- Gertrude thinks he’s crazy- Might make Gertrude suspicious

Insulting Gertrude- might tell Claudius

Killing Polonius- may get caught and not have a chance to kill

the king

Which scene do you believe is more harmful to Hamlet?

12/21/09

HW: Read 4.4. Annotate Hamlet’s soliloquy

Do Now: TAKE A HANDOUTRespond to the quote on the handout. TWE do you agree or disagree with the statement.

- agree with it because it speaks of effectiveness

- instead of “to stay in office”, but instead for the well-being of the country

- Machiavelli

Aim: In what ways does Shakespeare portray Claudius as a Machiavellian character? TWE does Shakespeare support or oppose Machiavellian rule?

- murdered to get his position as king- spying

Not a Machiavellian character- shows regret and remorse for his actions

His majesty – power of his throne

Claudius is going to call the counsel and tell them what to do

- gives three different reasons for sending Hamlet to England

- orders the British king to kill Hamlet- able to order him because England must pay

homage to Denmark

In what ways do Claudius’ actions in this scene compare with Hamlet’s actions in the last scene?

- Hamlet takes months to execute his plan- Claudius acts much more quickly

TWE does Shakespeare support or oppose Machiavellian rule in this scene?

12/22/09HW: Due after break – Read and annotate through the end of act 4.Due January 13: Write an essay in which you existentially psychoanalyze Hamlet. Be sure to address the following issues: 1. Trace his decisions back to the beginning of the play—what was his original choice?2. After each decision, TWE is he aware of his free will? TWE does he exhibit bad faith?3. How do his choices limit his possibilities as the play progresses?

Do Now: Write about a friend or rival against whom you measure yourself or against whom others measure you.

- parents compare you to siblings and friends- only do it to anger people- high competition in the music world

Foil- Fortinbras is similar to Hamlet

Aim: In what ways is Fortinbras a foil for Hamlet?Fortinbras

- nephew of the king of Norway- father killed by old Hamlet- wanted to start war with Denmark

Hamlet Fortinbras- father murdered- being exiled-

- father murdered- more willing to take action- has a position of power- sounds more like Claudius (confident and gives orders)- uses the royal “we”

- foreshadowing that Hamlet might actually take action

- three part revenge plot-

12/23/09HW: Read through the end of act IVEssay due January 13Vocabulary for the midyear is up on the Website

Do Now: record your best impression of Mr. Rubin

Aim: How does Shakespeare use language to create personality?

Find the phrases/rhetorical figures that your character uses

How do these phrases indicate your character’s personality?Claudius

- guilty person- uses the royal “we”- tries to sound sweet- refers to the heart- aggressive, assertive

Ophelia- says “my lord” often- formal- uses a lot of sweet words

Hamlet

- curses - “fie”- talks back a lot/sarcastic- very dramatic- wears his emotions on his sleeve- uses apostrophe- “o”- Poses questions and answers them

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- say “my lord”- ask lot of questions- “cannot”- Indistinguishable from one another

The Ghost- uses gruesome language- speaks of the supernatural

Polonius- “marry” and “ay”- Hendiadys – takes something that is usually an

adjective and a noun, and make it two nouns

Write a monologue in the voice of a character

1/4/10HW: Write a paragraph comparing the Peripeteia in Oedipus with the Peripeteia in Hamlet

Vocabulary quiz on words 1-25 one week from tomorrowHamlet essay due Jan 13.

Do Now: Write about something that you or someone you know did that led to unintended consequences.Injury resulted from a hackeysack gamePeripeteia: The exact opposite results from those which were originally intended. reversal of fortune must result.AIM: How does Shakespeare affect Peripeteia in Hamlet?Peripeteia in Oedipus:-Leaving Oedipus led to his fathers’ death-The messenger brings the “good news” which leads to his downfall

Act 4 scene 5:Ophelia is crazy after she finds out her father is dead. -first consequence of Polonius’ deathClaudius fears Laertes who wants revenge of his father’s death.In front of Laertes, Claudius appears to be in control.

Hamlet’s action: killing Polonius instead of Claudius

Hamartia: mistake that leads to the reversal of fortune.Ironic consequences: Laertes wants to kill Claudius.Ophelia is now crazy.

1/5/10HW: Read 5.1 (Friday)Essay due January 13Vocabulary quiz one week from today

Do Now: Describe someone who is the complete opposite of yourself.-different interests

AIM: How does Shakespeare portray characters as the opposite of Hamlet and how does this reveal aspects of Hamlet’s personality?Hamlet’s Personality:-Hesitant- does not kill Claudius-Emotional- mourning-confrontational- argues a lot -mentally unstable-self defeating-introspective

1. In what ways is your character’s situation similar to Hamlet’s?

2. In what ways does your character display the opposite traits/actions to/from Hamlet?

3. Find a passage to support your answers.

GERTRUDEp. 205 line 22 She feels responsible for killing Polonius. Gertrude feels guilty for Polonius’ death unlike Hamlet.

OPHELIAp. 209 (end) Both of their fathers were killed and they both appear to be mad. Hamlet’s madness was aimed at getting revenge while Ophelia was just crazy. Ophelia’s craziness is a result of Polonius’ death and her broken relationship with Hamlet.-contrast between Ophelia and Hamlet can show differences between men and women

1/6/10HW: 5.1 (Friday)Vocab quiz (Tuesday)Hamlet essay (Wednesday)

Do Now: Define the following terms:Day- period of time lasting 24 hours/sun shiningTall- high stature, being of considerable heightLight- weighing a little. Not dark. Reveal. Thing that illuminates.Fast- quick. Not slow. Nothing- not consisting of anythingEmpty- containing nothing. Far- not closeAIM: How does Shakespeare portray characters as the opposite of Hamlet and how does this reveal aspects of Hamlet’s personality?CLAUDIUS: p.215-219Both Hamlet and Claudius are threatened by Polonius’ death.p. 215 line 170: both grieving about death. p. 219 line 226: Claudius is more persuasive, rational and manipulative. Both want to kill each other.P. 233 line 171: detailed plan to murder

LAERTES (215-219)ACTION/SIT. HAMLET LAERTESBoth fathers are murdered

Want revengeDon’t have evidence

Want revengeDon’t have evidence

Found out fathers were killed

Sad/weptNo actionsAfter speaking with

Storms through doorsWants to avenge father’s death right

the ghost, decides to avenge father’s death after 5 to 6 months

away

Plan Long and complicated. Make a play (mousetrap) so that Claudius will reveal his guilt.Hamlet is the observer in his plan.Emotional/moralHad the chance to kill Claudius by luckHamlet’s plan is kept secret and only he knows about itp.219: p. 223

During a fencing match with a poisoned sword they will kill Hamlet. At the end of the fight, they will offer Hamlet poisoned wine.Claudius and Laertes are the actors in the plan.Plan involves killing HamletClaudius and Laertes collaborate

-Gertrude: reveals Hamlet’s lack of guilt-Ophelia: overreaction. -Claudius: Hamlet lacks courage. Hamlet can not deal with people as well as Claudius-Laertes: reveals lack of conviction.

1/8/10

Do Now: TAKE A HANDOUT

Write an argument to convince me not to give homework for the rest of the year.

We’re not going to do it anyway, so you might as well not give it to us.

We would enjoy the texts more without

You contribute to obesity

Killing trees/wasting electricity

Concerned with my health

Good karma

AIM: How can we improve our thesis statements?1. Has specific point: Hamlet shouldn’t have

behaved the way he did. Clear. “one might argue”-not recommended.

2. Has “so what?” Clear. 3. Clear. Not that specific. Can be argued. 4. Clearly mapped out argument. 5. Gathers numerous data at the end.6. Clear & Concise.

1/11/10HW: Vocabulary quiz tomorrowRead and annotate 5.2 for WednesdayEssay due Wednesday

Do Now: In what ways does a person’s social class affect his/her life in America?

- connections- job opportunities- education- money: lawyers, education, etc.- racial and cultural stereotypes

- higher social class has more access to the luxuries in life

Aim: How does Shakespeare comment on social class in Act 5 Scene 1?

LadderClaudiusGertrude, Hamlet

Polonius, Laertes, OpheliaHoratio

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

SoldiersActorsGravediggerReynaldo

- Gravediggers complain about the privileges of being rich

- if any of them had committed suicide, they wouldn’t have been granted a Christian burial

- Ideally, social classes wouldn’t exist

The working class is “tougher” than the upper class

1/12/09HW: Read and annotate 5.2 for ThursdayEssay due tomorrowVocab quiz one week from today

Do Now: Vocabulary Quiz

Summarize the comments Hamlet makes about class in the beginning of 5.1

- rich people get what they want- class inequality- social class is arbitrary-

1/13/10HW: Read and annotate until 5.2.205

Do Now: Think about your favorite comedy, then write about why you find it funny. What specific types of jokes or comic techniques do you find funny?

- different/unexpected- sarcasm- impressions- characters- satire

- irony- obscenity- exaggeration- uncomfortable situations

Aim: How does Shakespeare employ comic relief in 5.1?

1. Explain the jokes2. TWE are these techniques still employed in

comedy today3. In what ways does the humor relate to/comment

on the action in the rest of the play?

Puns – form of irony, require the reader/audience to understand the double meaning of a wordLack of knowledgeMalapropism – use the wrong wordVulgarity

- lessen the tension- appeals to the lower class/groundlings

1/14/10HW: Read 5.2.237

Do Now: Write about how the director raised or lowered the dramatic tension in the most suspenseful movie you’ve ever seen.

- sounds- hiding information- point of view- dialogue- doors- time- dramatic irony

Aim: How does Shakespeare raise and lower the dramatic tension in Acts 4 and 5?

1. Rate the dramatic tension at the beginning of the scene.

2. How does the dramatic tension change over the course of the scene?

3. In what ways does Shakespeare raise or lower the tension?

Act 4 Scene 7- messenger brings information about Hamlet’s

returno time, dramatic irony, anticipation

characterization—metaphor

Point of View

Act 5, scene 1 – scene break, comedy

Dramatic irony-physical confrontation

Act 5 , scene 21/15/10HW: Finish the play. Write a paragraph identifying and explaining Hamlet’s agnorisisVocabulary part 2, Tuesday Do Now: List three adjectives to describe yourself, then explain how each word applies to you.

- short, hybrid, crazy- eclectic, unique, hybrid- stupid, musical, carefree - free-spirited, sensitive, kooky - lenient, pensive, determined- loud, sarcastic, witty- tall, fast, best

Aim: How does Shakespeare characterize Hamlet?1. In what ways does Shakespeare characterize

Hamlet in your scene?

2. In what ways is this characterization similar to or different from Shakespeare’s previous characterization of Hamlet?

Lines 1-90- smart: replaced the letter and Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern will be killed- lucky: had his father’s seal with him- thinks highly of himself- remorseless

- plan actually works this time- more impulsive now

Lines 91-- witty, rude- hesitant- lives more in the moment- acts towards Osric in a similar way to how he

acted towards Polonius- more mature- tragic hero

o flaw, mistake, must have strong morals1/20/10HW: Groupwork questions

Arnold Canell Prize In English

Two pages, double spaced—A book that has influenced you in a significant way.$1000

arnoldcanellpriz@aol.com

Do Now: Write about something that evokes emotions of fear and/or pity.

Afraid of becoming old ladyDeath

Rush

Test

Make fun of other people

Aim: IWW/TWE does Hamlet fit the Aristotelian definition of a tragedy?

Tragic Hero—noble birthFlawsMoral

Hamartia –flaw, mistakeIndecision

Not killing ClaudiusKilling Polonius

PeripeteiaKilling Polonius—Laertes revenge—duel –death

Avenger avenged

Instead of killing Claudius, Claudius kills him

Reversal of fortuneReversal of character

AgnorisisDuring the death speech

Complete destruction by the endDeath

Catharsis—purging of emotionsFortinbras gives Hamlet a military funeral

IWW does Shakespeare affect your element of tragedy?

IWW is it similar to/different from Oedipus

1/21/10HW: Group project due tomorrowTyped, cite examples from the text (quotes)2 paragraphs + the answers to your questions

Arnold Canell Prize In EnglishTwo pages, double spaced—A book that has influenced you in a significant way.$1000

arnoldcanellpriz@aol.com

Do Now: Sit with your groupWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of looking at something through the following lenses:Magnifying glassDetail DistortionLimits scope

TelescopeSee farBlindLimits close visionBig

MicroscopeSee small things/microscopicreverse

Normal things don’tfitPrepare the specimen

SunglassesProtects your eyesLimits color visionLimit depth perception

Glasses/sun glasses

Critical lens

Aim: IWW can literary criticism inform our reading of Hamlet?

Psychoanalysis

Oedipus complex—Hamlet->Gertrude

Hamlet jealous of whoever receives Gertrude’s attention

Repression—guilt—doesn’t want to upset Gertrude

Hamlet is afraid of death—Oppressed by the ghost

Dream imagery—Ghost/supernaturalHamlet-=humanity

Shakespeare’s father didn’t leave him an inheritance –the play reveals Shakespeare’s issues with his own father

Orestes and Oedipus are to rigid, Hamlet is dynamic

Everyone can relate to Hamlet, justify his/their own faults

Marxist

Up until gravedigger scene, lower class is absent

Gravedigger points out class division, inequity of the system

Critiques capitalism/feudalism, gravedigger scene

Support classist agenda, ghost=king

Hamlet critiques organized religion – afterlife, Catholicism

Feminism

Play supports patriarchy in its treatment of Ophelia and Gertrude

Both female characters are weak

Gertrude chooses to marry Claudius

Ophelia’s insanity

Modes of behavior

Status derives from male characters

Ophelia attempts to rebel, but it is immediately followed by her father stopping her rebellion

Cultural Familye