William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet

Intro to Shakespeare’s Intro to Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet

Intro to HamletIntro to Hamlet William Shakespeare’s LifeWilliam Shakespeare’s Life

Most popular and well-known British writerMost popular and well-known British writer Lived from April 23, 1564-1616Lived from April 23, 1564-1616 Born in Stratford-on-AvonBorn in Stratford-on-Avon Married Anne Hathaway. She was 26 and he was Married Anne Hathaway. She was 26 and he was

18.18. His older daughter was christened 6 months later.His older daughter was christened 6 months later.

King Chamberlain’s MenKing Chamberlain’s Men The first performer’s who acted out The first performer’s who acted out

Shakespeare’s playsShakespeare’s plays Queen ElizabethQueen Elizabeth

The ruler of the time. She had to approve of all The ruler of the time. She had to approve of all plays performed. plays performed.

Intro to HamletIntro to Hamlet Bubonic PlagueBubonic Plague

Spread by fleas on ratsSpread by fleas on rats Also known as the black death Also known as the black death Close down theaters to stop spread of disease Close down theaters to stop spread of disease

Globe TheaterGlobe Theater Built in 1599Built in 1599 Shakespeare’s plays performed hereShakespeare’s plays performed here Peasants who sat on the ground were called Peasants who sat on the ground were called

groundlingsgroundlings Folio: Folio:

• a four folded paper that was the format in a four folded paper that was the format in which his plays were written which his plays were written

Intro to HamletIntro to Hamlet Shakespearean TragedyShakespearean Tragedy Tragic HeroTragic Hero: a person of great : a person of great

position who brings his own downfall position who brings his own downfall by his tragic flaw.by his tragic flaw.

Tragic FlawTragic Flaw: the character trait : the character trait that causes the tragic hero’s downfall.that causes the tragic hero’s downfall.

SoliloquySoliloquy: a speech by one person : a speech by one person who is alone which reveals his or her who is alone which reveals his or her inner thoughts so the audience knows inner thoughts so the audience knows the feelings.the feelings.

Intro to HamletIntro to Hamlet

Dramatic Irony: when the Dramatic Irony: when the audience knows something audience knows something that the characters do not.that the characters do not.

Setting of Setting of Hamlet:Hamlet: Denmark Denmark

Characters 2Characters 2ndnd period period Hamlet: meHamlet: me Voltemand: Brandon JuhlVoltemand: Brandon Juhl King: Matt GKing: Matt G 11stst Sailor: John Paul Sailor: John Paul

Queen: ChatelQueen: Chatel Servant: ChrisServant: Chris Ophelia: LaurenOphelia: Lauren Guildenstern: AdamGuildenstern: Adam Polonius: Matt NocitoPolonius: Matt Nocito Horatio: PeterHoratio: Peter Laertes: MorganLaertes: Morgan Horatio: GregHoratio: Greg Rosencrantz: DanRosencrantz: Dan Ghost: GregGhost: Greg Narrator: Brandon B.Narrator: Brandon B.

Characters 4-5Characters 4-5thth period period Hamlet: MeHamlet: Me Voltemand:Voltemand: King: MeKing: Me Messenger: KeanaMessenger: Keana Queen: AmandaQueen: Amanda Sailor: EdisonSailor: Edison Ophelia: AlexisOphelia: Alexis Laertes: BobbyLaertes: Bobby Polonius:Polonius: Barnardo: XavierBarnardo: Xavier Rosencrantz: Justin TRosencrantz: Justin T Horatio: Steve BHoratio: Steve B Guildenstern: EdisonGuildenstern: Edison Ghost:Ghost: Narrator: NarratorNarrator: Narrator

HamletHamlet Acts 3 & 4 Acts 3 & 4

Act 3, Scenes 3-4Act 3, Scenes 3-4

1. Hamlet doesn’t seem to 1. Hamlet doesn’t seem to react to the fact that he has react to the fact that he has just killed someone. This just killed someone. This shows that his mental state shows that his mental state is deteriorating. is deteriorating.

Act 3, Scenes 3-4Act 3, Scenes 3-4

2. Claudius starts to feel guilty 2. Claudius starts to feel guilty after watching the play and he after watching the play and he prays for what he did. prays for what he did. Gertrude is unaware of what Gertrude is unaware of what Claudius did, but she feels Claudius did, but she feels guilty for marrying so quickly.guilty for marrying so quickly.

Act 3, Scenes 3-4Act 3, Scenes 3-4

3. Hamlet explains to 3. Hamlet explains to Gertrude how wrong it was Gertrude how wrong it was for her to marry her brother for her to marry her brother in law. in law.

Act 3, Scenes 3-4Act 3, Scenes 3-44. In following the theme, 4. In following the theme,

Gertrude is portrayed as Gertrude is portrayed as irrational and moody. Her irrational and moody. Her changing mood emphasizes changing mood emphasizes that women are unable to that women are unable to deal with hardships and deal with hardships and need men to support them. need men to support them.

Act 3 SummaryAct 3 Summary Claudius and Gertrude discuss Hamlet’s behavior with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who say they have been unable to learn the cause of his Claudius and Gertrude discuss Hamlet’s behavior with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who say they have been unable to learn the cause of his

melancholy. Claudius and Polonius intend to spy on Hamlet’s confrontation with Ophelia. Polonius hears Hamlet coming, and he and the king hide.melancholy. Claudius and Polonius intend to spy on Hamlet’s confrontation with Ophelia. Polonius hears Hamlet coming, and he and the king hide. Hamlet enters and contemplates suicide to end his pain. Having received her orders from Polonius, Ophelia tells him that she wishes to return the Hamlet enters and contemplates suicide to end his pain. Having received her orders from Polonius, Ophelia tells him that she wishes to return the

tokens of love he has given her. Angrily, Hamlet denies having given her anything. He criticizes women for making men behave like monsters and for tokens of love he has given her. Angrily, Hamlet denies having given her anything. He criticizes women for making men behave like monsters and for contributing to the world’s dishonesty by painting their faces to appear more beautiful than they are. Working himself into a rage, Hamlet denounces contributing to the world’s dishonesty by painting their faces to appear more beautiful than they are. Working himself into a rage, Hamlet denounces Ophelia (advises her to go to a convent), women, and humankind in general, saying that he wishes to end all marriages. Ophelia (advises her to go to a convent), women, and humankind in general, saying that he wishes to end all marriages.

That evening, in the castle hall now doubling as a theater, Hamlet anxiously lectures the players on how to act the parts he has written for them. Hamlet That evening, in the castle hall now doubling as a theater, Hamlet anxiously lectures the players on how to act the parts he has written for them. Hamlet now asks Horatio to watch Claudius carefully during the play so that they might compare their impressions of his behavior afterward. Horatio agrees, now asks Horatio to watch Claudius carefully during the play so that they might compare their impressions of his behavior afterward. Horatio agrees, saying that if Claudius shows any signs of guilt, he will detect them.saying that if Claudius shows any signs of guilt, he will detect them.

Hamlet warns Horatio that he will begin to act strangely, and he torments Ophelia with a string of erotic puns. The players enter and act out a play. The Hamlet warns Horatio that he will begin to act strangely, and he torments Ophelia with a string of erotic puns. The players enter and act out a play. The players begin to enact the play, and we learn that the man who kills the king is the king’s nephew. Throughout, Hamlet keeps up a running commentary players begin to enact the play, and we learn that the man who kills the king is the king’s nephew. Throughout, Hamlet keeps up a running commentary on the characters and their actions, and continues to tease Ophelia with sexual references. When the murderer pours the poison into the sleeping on the characters and their actions, and continues to tease Ophelia with sexual references. When the murderer pours the poison into the sleeping king’s ear, Claudius rises and cries out for light. Hamlet and Horatio agree that the king’s behavior was telling. Polonius enters to escort Hamlet to the king’s ear, Claudius rises and cries out for light. Hamlet and Horatio agree that the king’s behavior was telling. Polonius enters to escort Hamlet to the queen. Hamlet says he will go to her in a moment and asks for a moment alone. queen. Hamlet says he will go to her in a moment and asks for a moment alone.

Claudius is badly shaken by the play and now considering Hamlet’s madness to be dangerous and asks R & G to escort Hamlet England immediately. Claudius is badly shaken by the play and now considering Hamlet’s madness to be dangerous and asks R & G to escort Hamlet England immediately. Polonius enters and reminds the king of his plan to hide in Gertrude’s room and observe Hamlet’s confrontation with her. He promises to tell Claudius Polonius enters and reminds the king of his plan to hide in Gertrude’s room and observe Hamlet’s confrontation with her. He promises to tell Claudius all that he learns. When Polonius leaves, the king is alone, and he immediately expresses his guilt and grief over his sin. A brother’s murder, he says, all that he learns. When Polonius leaves, the king is alone, and he immediately expresses his guilt and grief over his sin. A brother’s murder, he says, is the oldest sin and has the worst curse upon it. He falls to his knees and begins to pray.is the oldest sin and has the worst curse upon it. He falls to his knees and begins to pray.

Hamlet slips quietly into the room and prepares himself to kill the unseeing Claudius. But suddenly it occurs to him that if he kills Claudius while he is Hamlet slips quietly into the room and prepares himself to kill the unseeing Claudius. But suddenly it occurs to him that if he kills Claudius while he is praying, he will end the king’s life at the moment when he was seeking forgiveness for his sins, sending Claudius’s soul to heaven. This is hardly an praying, he will end the king’s life at the moment when he was seeking forgiveness for his sins, sending Claudius’s soul to heaven. This is hardly an adequate revenge, since Claudius killed Hamlet’s father before he had time to make his last confession and did not go to heaven. Hamlet decides to adequate revenge, since Claudius killed Hamlet’s father before he had time to make his last confession and did not go to heaven. Hamlet decides to wait, resolving to kill Claudius when the king is sinning—when he is either drunk, angry, or lustful, so he leaves. wait, resolving to kill Claudius when the king is sinning—when he is either drunk, angry, or lustful, so he leaves.

In Gertrude’s chamber, the queen and Polonius wait for Hamlet’s arrival. Polonius plans to hide in order to eavesdrop on Gertrude’s confrontation with In Gertrude’s chamber, the queen and Polonius wait for Hamlet’s arrival. Polonius plans to hide in order to eavesdrop on Gertrude’s confrontation with her son. Polonius hides behind the drapery. Hamlet storms into the room and asks his mother why she has sent for him. She says that he has offended her son. Polonius hides behind the drapery. Hamlet storms into the room and asks his mother why she has sent for him. She says that he has offended his father, meaning his stepfather, Claudius. He interrupts her and says that she has offended his father, meaning the dead King Hamlet, by marrying his father, meaning his stepfather, Claudius. He interrupts her and says that she has offended his father, meaning the dead King Hamlet, by marrying Claudius and accosts her. Fearing for her life, Gertrude cries out. From behind the drapes, Polonius calls out for help. Hamlet, realizing that someone is Claudius and accosts her. Fearing for her life, Gertrude cries out. From behind the drapes, Polonius calls out for help. Hamlet, realizing that someone is behind the drapes and suspecting that it might be Claudius, draws his sword and stabs it through the drapes, killing the unseen Polonius. The queen behind the drapes and suspecting that it might be Claudius, draws his sword and stabs it through the drapes, killing the unseen Polonius. The queen says his action was a “rash and bloody” deed, and Hamlet replies that it was almost as rash and bloody as murdering a king and marrying his brother.says his action was a “rash and bloody” deed, and Hamlet replies that it was almost as rash and bloody as murdering a king and marrying his brother.

Hamlet lifts the drapes and discovers Polonius’s body. He shows her a picture of the dead king and a picture of the current king, bitterly comments on Hamlet lifts the drapes and discovers Polonius’s body. He shows her a picture of the dead king and a picture of the current king, bitterly comments on the superiority of his father to his uncle, and asks her furiously what has driven her to marry a rotten man such as Claudius. The ghost of his father the superiority of his father to his uncle, and asks her furiously what has driven her to marry a rotten man such as Claudius. The ghost of his father again appears before him.again appears before him.

Hamlet speaks to the ghost, but Gertrude is unable to see it and believes him to be mad. The ghost says that it has come to remind Hamlet of his Hamlet speaks to the ghost, but Gertrude is unable to see it and believes him to be mad. The ghost says that it has come to remind Hamlet of his purpose, that Hamlet has not yet killed Claudius and must achieve his revenge. Hamlet describes the ghost, but Gertrude sees nothing, and in a purpose, that Hamlet has not yet killed Claudius and must achieve his revenge. Hamlet describes the ghost, but Gertrude sees nothing, and in a moment the ghost disappears. Hamlet tries desperately to convince Gertrude that he is not mad but has merely pretended madness all along, and he moment the ghost disappears. Hamlet tries desperately to convince Gertrude that he is not mad but has merely pretended madness all along, and he urges her to forsake Claudius and regain her good conscience. He urges her as well not to reveal to Claudius that his madness has been an act. urges her to forsake Claudius and regain her good conscience. He urges her as well not to reveal to Claudius that his madness has been an act. Gertrude agrees to keep his secret. He bids her goodnight. Hamlet reminds his mother that he must sail to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Gertrude agrees to keep his secret. He bids her goodnight. Hamlet reminds his mother that he must sail to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Act 4Act 4

1. Gertrude thinks 1. Gertrude thinks Hamlet is crazy. Hamlet is crazy. However, if forced, she However, if forced, she should support her son. should support her son.

Act 4Act 4

2. When the King 2. When the King (Claudius) learns that (Claudius) learns that Polonius is dead, he fears Polonius is dead, he fears Hamlet even more and Hamlet even more and starts to plan his murder. starts to plan his murder. He is self-serving and not He is self-serving and not at all compassionate. at all compassionate.

Act 4Act 4

3. Once Hamlet kills 3. Once Hamlet kills Polonius, people start to Polonius, people start to regard him with fear regard him with fear because it seems his because it seems his insanity has reached a insanity has reached a new level of violence. new level of violence.

Act 4Act 4

4. Claudius fears that 4. Claudius fears that Hamlet will kill him, so Hamlet will kill him, so he arranges to have he arranges to have Hamlet killed in England. Hamlet killed in England. Claudius chose England Claudius chose England so he won’t be suspected.so he won’t be suspected.

Act 4Act 4

5. Hamlet feels it is 5. Hamlet feels it is admirable because the new admirable because the new King of Normandy is King of Normandy is standing up for his own standing up for his own father’s death and wants to father’s death and wants to avenge his murder. Hamlet avenge his murder. Hamlet admires this. admires this.

Act 4Act 4

6.Ophelia appears to be 6.Ophelia appears to be completely insane now. completely insane now. Because she reacted so Because she reacted so badly when she lost badly when she lost Hamlet, this behavior is Hamlet, this behavior is consistent with her earlier consistent with her earlier behavior.behavior.

Act 4Act 4

7. Denmark has lost 7. Denmark has lost some of its power and some of its power and its soldiers are no its soldiers are no longer as strong as they longer as strong as they used to be. Claudius is used to be. Claudius is not a good ruler. not a good ruler.

Act 4Act 4

8. Claudius tells him that 8. Claudius tells him that Hamlet killed his father, Hamlet killed his father, and he is unable to and he is unable to punish him because the punish him because the people of Denmark like people of Denmark like Hamlet. This is the truth. Hamlet. This is the truth.

Act 4Act 4

9. Ophelia drowns in a 9. Ophelia drowns in a stream. Evidence seems to stream. Evidence seems to point to her committing point to her committing suicide because she is so suicide because she is so upset over Hamlet ignoring upset over Hamlet ignoring her and her father’s death. her and her father’s death.

Act 4Act 410. Claudius wants 10. Claudius wants Laertes to fence Hamlet Laertes to fence Hamlet with his rapier uncovered with his rapier uncovered and dipped in poison. If and dipped in poison. If this doesn’t work Claudius this doesn’t work Claudius will also put poison in will also put poison in Hamlet’s drink. Laertes Hamlet’s drink. Laertes agrees to avenge his agrees to avenge his father’s death. father’s death.

Act 5Act 5

1. What famous images from the 1. What famous images from the play are found in these scenes? play are found in these scenes? What are the significances?What are the significances?

Ophelia drowning shows the Ophelia drowning shows the weakness of women. weakness of women.

Hamlet holding the skull while Hamlet holding the skull while discussing death shows how short discussing death shows how short life is.life is.

Act 5Act 5 What is the significance of the What is the significance of the

gravediggers? What do they tell gravediggers? What do they tell Hamlet?Hamlet? They are important for the They are important for the

theme of death and the idea theme of death and the idea that life is fleeting. They tell that life is fleeting. They tell Hamlet that Ophelia died. They Hamlet that Ophelia died. They also bring up the subject of also bring up the subject of whether or not she deserves a whether or not she deserves a Christian burial.Christian burial.

Act 5Act 5 Discuss the professions of love and Discuss the professions of love and

grief expressed at Ophelia’s funeral grief expressed at Ophelia’s funeral by Laertes and Hamlet, as compared by Laertes and Hamlet, as compared to similar scenes featuring Claudius, to similar scenes featuring Claudius, in terms of their implications for the in terms of their implications for the play’s outcome: who is honest, play’s outcome: who is honest, deserving, and just, among the play’s deserving, and just, among the play’s key players?key players? Claudius disregards the deceased Claudius disregards the deceased

earlier. Laertes and Hamlet are truly earlier. Laertes and Hamlet are truly loving and grieving when they lose their loving and grieving when they lose their fathers and Ophelia.fathers and Ophelia.

Act 5Act 5 4. What happened to 4. What happened to

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and what was Hamlet’s role in and what was Hamlet’s role in this?this? Claudius sent them orders to Claudius sent them orders to

kill Hamlet. Hamlet forged the kill Hamlet. Hamlet forged the orders to say they should be orders to say they should be killed and they were. killed and they were.

Act 5Act 5

5. Explain Osric’s role in the 5. Explain Osric’s role in the play in scene 2 when he is play in scene 2 when he is speaking with Hamlet?speaking with Hamlet? Osric’s role is to set up the Osric’s role is to set up the

duel between Hamlet and duel between Hamlet and Laertes by appealing to Laertes by appealing to Hamlet’s ego by saying people Hamlet’s ego by saying people are placing bets against him. are placing bets against him.

Act 5Act 5

6. How is King Claudius and 6. How is King Claudius and Laertes’ plan ruined before the Laertes’ plan ruined before the duel even begins?duel even begins? Hamlet picks up the poisoned Hamlet picks up the poisoned

rapier.rapier.

Act 5Act 5

7. How does Claudius hide the 7. How does Claudius hide the fact that he puts poison in fact that he puts poison in Hamlet’s cup?Hamlet’s cup? Claudius says that he will put a Claudius says that he will put a

pearl in the cup of wine to pearl in the cup of wine to salute Hamlet’s victory, but it salute Hamlet’s victory, but it is really poison.is really poison.

Act 5Act 5

8. What happens to Gertrude? 8. What happens to Gertrude? (use details)(use details) Gertrude says she is thirsty Gertrude says she is thirsty

and reaches for the poisoned and reaches for the poisoned wine and drinks before wine and drinks before Claudius can stop her. Claudius can stop her.

Act 5Act 5

9. What happens to Claudius? 9. What happens to Claudius? (use details)(use details) Laertes confesses that not only Laertes confesses that not only

has the wine been poisoned has the wine been poisoned but also the tip of the rapier. but also the tip of the rapier. Hamlet stabs Claudius with the Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned rapier.poisoned rapier.

Act 5Act 5

10. What happens to Laertes and 10. What happens to Laertes and Hamlet? (use details)Hamlet? (use details) They both die from wounds They both die from wounds

caused by the poisoned rapier. caused by the poisoned rapier.

Act 5Act 5 11. In order to have plays performed 11. In order to have plays performed

during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, order had to be restored by the end order had to be restored by the end of the play. How is this of the play. How is this accomplished by the end of accomplished by the end of HamletHamlet?? Fortinbras enters after everyone is Fortinbras enters after everyone is

dead. Horatio says Hamlet dead. Horatio says Hamlet bestowed the kingdom to him so bestowed the kingdom to him so the transition of royalty is the transition of royalty is continued and order is restored.continued and order is restored.

End of Hamlet questionsEnd of Hamlet questions

1. Hamlet’s true motives are to 1. Hamlet’s true motives are to avenge his father’s murder. He avenge his father’s murder. He wants to murder Claudius. wants to murder Claudius. However, he wants to be sure the However, he wants to be sure the ghost is truly that of his father and ghost is truly that of his father and that the info is accurate. Also, he that the info is accurate. Also, he doesn’t want to murder Claudius doesn’t want to murder Claudius while he is in a state of grace (while while he is in a state of grace (while praying, so he will go to heaven).praying, so he will go to heaven).

End of Hamlet questionsEnd of Hamlet questions

2. Hamlet doesn’t want to kill 2. Hamlet doesn’t want to kill Claudius until he has real Claudius until he has real evidence that Claudius is guilty. evidence that Claudius is guilty. Also, his father died without last Also, his father died without last rites, so he doesn’t want rites, so he doesn’t want Claudius to have that benefit.Claudius to have that benefit.

End of Hamlet questionsEnd of Hamlet questions

3. Hamlet is a misogynist (has a low 3. Hamlet is a misogynist (has a low opinion of women). He thinks women opinion of women). He thinks women are weak. He argues that even are weak. He argues that even though Gertrude loved his father, she though Gertrude loved his father, she quickly changed her affections and quickly changed her affections and married Claudius. Then he told married Claudius. Then he told Ophelia to go to a nunnery or convent Ophelia to go to a nunnery or convent to protect herself from men, implying to protect herself from men, implying that she cannot protect herself. that she cannot protect herself.

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4. Feigned madness allows Hamlet 4. Feigned madness allows Hamlet to gain information about the to gain information about the murder of his father. Hamlet’s murder of his father. Hamlet’s feigned madness allows the plot to feigned madness allows the plot to continue as he pursues Claudius. continue as he pursues Claudius. Real madness is the cause of Real madness is the cause of Ophelia’s suicide. This is partly Ophelia’s suicide. This is partly caused by Hamlet’s feigned caused by Hamlet’s feigned madness so they are closely related. madness so they are closely related.

End of Hamlet questionsEnd of Hamlet questions

5. Hamlet is honorable by trying to 5. Hamlet is honorable by trying to determine if Claudius is truly his determine if Claudius is truly his father’s killer before exacting father’s killer before exacting revenge. Laertes is honorable by revenge. Laertes is honorable by wanting to avenge his father’s wanting to avenge his father’s death and challenging Hamlet to a death and challenging Hamlet to a duel. Fortinbras is at war to duel. Fortinbras is at war to avenge his father’s death, an avenge his father’s death, an honorable act. honorable act.