Hamlet Prince of Denmark 1599 1602 William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark 1599 -1602 William Shakespeare Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 1

Vocabulary n n Act – A main division in a drama Scene – A small unit in a play in which there is no shift in locale or time Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 2

Vocabulary n n Comedy – Any play that ends well. Shakespeare’s comedies end with as many weddings as possible Tragic Flaw – A fatal weakness in character that results in the downfall of the protagonist. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 3

Vocabulary n Tragedy – A play featuring characters of noble birth who fall from fortune. Shakespeare’s protagonists struggle with a tragic flaw, but endowed with free will, go down in defeat. Shakespearean tragedies end with as many deaths as possible Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 4

Vocabulary n Tragicomedy – A play that contains elements of both tragedy and comedy. Despite the possibilities for catastrophe, the play has a happy ending. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 5

Vocabulary n n Soliloquy -- Monologue. A dramatic device that allows a character to reveal to the audience what he is thinking and feeling. Usually the character is alone on the stage, so the other characters remain unaware that he or she is speaking. Aside – Like a mini-soliloquy. A brief remark made by a character, intended to be heard by the audience but not by the other characters. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 6

Vocabulary n Comic Relief – A humorous scene or a bit of clowning inserted in an otherwise serious play. Relaxes the tension so tragic empathy can be renewed. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 7

Character Groupings: n n Royal Family Loyal Friend Support Family Minor Characters Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 8

Royal Family n n Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Claudius, King of Denmark, former King Hamlet’s brother, Prince Hamlet’s uncle Gertrude, Queen of Denmark, Prince Hamlet’s mother The Ghost, Prince Hamlet’s father, former King of Denmark Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 9

Loyal Friend n Horatio, a fellow student of Prince Hamlet at the University of Wittenberg. He comes to Denmark to attend the funeral of King Hamlet and remains to support his friend, Prince Hamlet, through the troubled days to come. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 10

Support Family n n n Polonius, advisor to Claudius, father of Laertes and Ophelia Laertes, son of Polonius, friend of Hamlet, student at University of Paris Ophelia, loyal daughter of Polonius, Hamlet’s love interest Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 11

Minor Characters n n n n n Fortinbras, Prince of Norway Voltimand & Cornelius Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Marcellus & Bernardo, officers Francisco, a solider Reyanldo, servant to Polonius Oscric, a fop The Players Two Gravediggers (Clowns) Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 12

To be Discussed after Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 13

Genre: Drama Tragedy n n n Ghost Story Murder Mystery -- Regicide -- Fratricide Revenge Plot Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 14

Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle Fortinbras, Sr. n n n Hamlet Sr. Polonius Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 15

Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle Fortinbras, Sr. murdered by Hamlet Sr. avenged by Fortinbras Jr. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 16

Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle Hamlet, Sr. murdered by Claudius avenged by Hamlet, Jr. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 17

Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle n n n Polonius murdered by Hamlet Jr. avenged by Laertes Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 18

n n n n n Elements of Tragedy: Revenge MURDERED Cycle FATHERS Fortinbras Sr. Hamlet Sr. Polonius AVENGING SONS Fortinbras Jr. Hamlet Jr. Laerters Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 19

Elements of Tragedy: Chain of Revenge Claudius kills his brother, King Hamlet, thinking Claudius is behind the arras, kills Polonius Her father’s death and Hamlet’s rejection of her drive Ophelia to madness and suicide Claudius plans to have the King of England kill Hamlet, since the latter knows too much Hamlet switches Claudius’ orders, and sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to death in England. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 20

Elements of Tragedy: The Character of Hamlet The plot of Hamlet includes tragedy in politics, murder, and domestic strife. Hamlet is a nobleman, revered by his countrymen, who tries to alter the world around him. Ultimately, Hamlet must forfeit his own life to see justice done. Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 21

Elements of Tragedy: Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw Indecision? Greed? Control? Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 22

Major Themes: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Revenge Appearance vs. Reality Sanity vs. Insanity Decay and Corruption Nature of Man Search for Self-Identity Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 23

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 24

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension noble Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 25

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension noble infinite Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 26

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension noble infinite express, admirable Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 27

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension noble infinite express, admirable like angel Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 28

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension noble infinite express, admirable like angel like a god Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 29

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension noble infinite express, admirable like angel like a god Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 30

What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension noble infinite express, admirable like angel like a god What is this quintessence of dust? Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 31

Man delights not me Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 32

Man delights not me Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 33

No, nor woman neither Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 34

No, nor woman neither Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 35

rotten in the state of Denmark? Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 36

rotten in the state of Denmark? SWOT analysis Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 37

rotten in the state of Denmark? SWOT analysis Strengths • Quick smooth royal succession • Bright young prince Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 38

rotten in the state of Denmark? SWOT analysis Weaknesses • Bright young prince is mentally unstable • Foolish royal advisers • Ambitious Fortinbras on border with army • Clumsiness with poisoned objects • Polonius has neglected swimming lessons Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 39

rotten in the state of Denmark? SWOT analysis Opportunities • Plenty of opportunities to kill king Claudius • Lots of business for undertakers • Ditto for poison makers Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 40

rotten in the state of Denmark? SWOT analysis Threats • Fortinbras • Tendency of Danish aristocracy to suicide • Sins will bring nemesis and slaughter upon royal household Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 41

clever Ophelia Horatio Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 42

clever Ophelia Hamlet? Horatio Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 43

clever Ophelia Horatio Hamlet? Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 44

clever Ophelia Horatio Hamlet? Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 45

clever Ophelia Horatio Hamlet? Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 46

Hamlet Plot/subplot structure n Main Plot – court n Hamlet’s grief u Revenge of Old Hamlet’s death u Dealing with Fortinbras u Plots and machinations Subplots – Polonius family u Ophelia and Hamlet’s love u Laertes in France u Revenge of Polonius’ death u Ophelia’s madness u Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 47

Hamlet Plot/subplot structure n Main Plot – revenge u u u n Revenge of Old Hamlet’s death Revenge for Polonius’ death Fortinbras’ revenge Subplots u u Hamlet’s grief, thoughts of death Hamlet’s antic disposition Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia’s madness Study Guide for EN 231 --English Literature 48

Hamlet Foiling n Character foiling u u u n Fortinbras, Hamlet, Laertes: lost father, revenge Hamlet, Ophelia: madness Old Hamlet, Polonius, Claudius: give advice to child(ren) Parallel scenes u u Act 1, scenes 2, 3, 5: Parents give advice to children Act 2 and Act 4: Hamlet and Ophelia’s madness

Hamlet themes n n n revenge madness grief ideal king, politics eavesdropping, spying power of art, plays

Hamlet issues to resolve n Ghost u u n n n Is it real or not? If it is real, is it a good ghost or an evil ghost? Is Hamlet really mad or feigning madness? Does Hamlet procrastinate? If so, why? Is Hamlet a scourge and/or minister? How much should characters obey parents? Whose view of revenge is right: Hamlet’s or Laertes’?