HAMLET A REVENGE TRAGEDY
HAMLET Hamlet, was roughly written in 1601. It is considered one of Shakespeare s greatest works, and one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. This play is full of action, mystery, supernatural and suspense. The play centers around Hamlet s decision whether or not to avenge the murder of his father, the King of Denmark. The weight of this decision drives all the other actions and relationships in the play.
BASIC OVERVIEW Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark. As the play opens he has recently returned to Denmark from Wittenburg, where he was a student. During his absence from Denmark, his father has died and his uncle, Claudius, has both married Hamlet s mother and become king. Hamlet is disappointed that this has all taken place. He is concerned over the appropriateness of his mother s marriage, his uncle s ascension to the throne, and his own destiny. The Ghost of Hamlet reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius and wants Hamlet to revenge his death.
BASIC OVERVIEW Hamlet plots revenge on Claudius and pretends to be mad. He casts off everyone close to him. Hamlet hires a traveling acting company to set a trap for the king. Claudius suspects Hamlet and sets in motion a plot to kill Hamlet. Hamlet kills Polonius in his mother s bedroom(closet) Hamlet is sent to England. What happens during his travels?
BASIC OVERVIEW Laertes returns from France and demands justice from Claudius. Laertes accuses Claudius of killing his father. Hamlet returns to Denmark. Claudius & Laertes devise a plan to kill Hamlet. Ophelia goes mad and drowns in a river. Laertes and Hamlet have a sword fight. Laertes strikes hamlet with the poisoned sword. Hamlet strikes Laertes with his own poisoned sword. Gertrude drinks from a poisoned glass of wine. Hamlet kills Claudius. Hamlet and Laertes forgive each other as they both die. The royal family dies.
BASIC OVERVIEW Rising Action: The Ghost Appears Hamlet fakes madness Hamlet stages a trap for the king Hamlet does not take the opportunity to kill the king while he is praying. Act III sc. iii. Climax: (2 possibilities) When Claudius know Hamlet is on to him and Hamlet stabs Polonius in his mother s room. When Hamlet commits fully to revenge his father. This happens when he meets with the Norwegian Captain, going into battle. Act IV sc. Iv. Falling Action: Hamlet returns to Denmark and confronts Laertes Ophelia drowns in the river Laertes is killed The royal family is killed.
WHAT DOES HAMLET WANT?
WHAT DOES HAMLET WANT? He wants The crown Revenge for the murder of his father To somehow restore his mother s lost virtue
MAJOR THEMES
MAJOR THEMES Revenge vs. Justice Hamlet promises his father to revenge his death. The ghost visits Hamlet when he is in his mother s room. Mortality What do we expect in the afterlife? Is suicide and effective solution in dealing with Hamlet s problems. Fate vs. Autonomy Do we have control of our own lives Appearance vs. Reality What appears to be true and what really is true. Polonius instructs Ophelia to distance herself from Hamlet because he does not love her. In reality this is not true.
SETTING Denmark Elsinore Castle What rooms need to be indicated? Polonius s House What rooms need to be indicated Exterior of Castle Where? Somewhere in between Denmark and England. Late 1500 s
TERMS Foil: A character in a play that contrasts another character. Hamlet vs. Laertes Purgatory: A place where the sole goes after someone dies to be punished for their sins. Closet: Bedroom Dane: King of Denmark Beaver: Part of the helmet that hinges down over the face. Good-mother: Stepmother Matin: Dawn Hyperion: The god of the sun Harrow: To fill with fear Espials: Spies
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT What would be the differences be between Hamlet Senior and Claudius s costume? Think about the type of men they were and how they are describe. What is the difference between Laertes & Hamlet? What is the difference between their costumes? How will their costumes change from the beginning to the end? What is the location? Is there more than one? How can we achieve this on the stage? Did you figure out the time of day of each scene. Shakespeare includes hints in the text. How should the ghost look? Costume Lighting A Play about indecisiveness. Hamlet does not act. The uncertainty of our lives