Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

1. Hamlet,Prince of Denmark 1599-1602 William Shakespeare Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

2. Vocabulary • 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 EN231--English Literature

3. Vocabulary • 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 EN231--English Literature

4. Vocabulary • 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 EN231--English Literature

5. Vocabulary • 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 EN231--English Literature

6. Vocabulary • 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 EN231--English Literature

7. Vocabulary • 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 EN231--English Literature

8. Character Groupings: • Royal Family • Loyal Friend • Support Family • Minor Characters Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

9. Royal Family • 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 EN231--English Literature

10. Loyal Friend • 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 EN231--English Literature

11. Support Family • 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 EN231--English Literature

12. Minor Characters • 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 EN231--English Literature

13. To be Discussed after Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

14. Genre: Drama Tragedy • Ghost Story • Murder Mystery -- Regicide -- Fratricide • Revenge Plot Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

15. Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle • Fortinbras, Sr. • Hamlet Sr. • Polonius Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

16. Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle Fortinbras, Sr. murdered by Hamlet Sr. avenged by Fortinbras Jr. Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

17. Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle Hamlet, Sr. murdered by Claudius avenged by Hamlet, Jr. Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

18. Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle • Polonius • murdered by • Hamlet Jr. • avenged by • Laertes Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

19. Elements of Tragedy: Revenge Cycle • MURDERED • FATHERS • Fortinbras Sr. • Hamlet Sr. • Polonius • AVENGING • SONS • Fortinbras Jr. • Hamlet Jr. • Laerters Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

20. Elements of Tragedy: Chain of Revenge • Claudius kills his brother, King Hamlet • 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 EN231--English Literature

21. 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 EN231--English Literature

22. Elements of Tragedy: Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw • Indecision? • Greed? • Control? Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

23. Major Themes: • Revenge • Appearance vs. Reality • Sanity vs. Insanity • Decay and Corruption • Nature of Man • Search for Self-Identity Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

24. What a piece of work is a man In reason In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

25. What a piece of work is a man In reason noble  In faculty In form and moving In action In apprehension Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

26. What a piece of work is a man In reason noble  In faculty infinite  In form and moving In action In apprehension Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

27. What a piece of work is a man In reason noble  In faculty infinite  In form and moving express, admirable  In action In apprehension Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

28. What a piece of work is a man In reason noble  In faculty infinite  In form and moving express, admirable  In action like angel  In apprehension Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

29. What a piece of work is a man In reason noble  In faculty infinite  In form and moving express, admirable  In action like angel  In apprehension like a god  Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

30. What a piece of work is a man In reason noble  In faculty infinite  In form and moving express, admirable  In action like angel  In apprehension like a god  Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

31. What a piece of work is a man In reason noble  In faculty infinite  In form and moving express, admirable  In action like angel  In apprehension like a god  What is this quintessence of dust? Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

32. Man delights not me Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

33. Man delights not me Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

34. No, nor woman neither Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

35. No, nor woman neither Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

36. Is something rotten in the state of Denmark? Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

37. Is something rotten in the state of Denmark? SWOT analysis Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

38. Is something rotten in the state of Denmark? SWOT analysis • Strengths • Quick smooth royal succession • Bright young prince Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

39. Is something 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 EN231--English Literature

40. Is something 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 EN231--English Literature

41. Is something 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 EN231--English Literature

42. clever Ophelia Horatio Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

43. clever Hamlet? Ophelia Horatio Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

44. clever Ophelia Horatio Hamlet? Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

45. clever Ophelia Horatio Hamlet? Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

46. clever Ophelia Horatio Hamlet? Gertrude mad sane Rosencranz, Guilderstern Polonius stupid Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

47. HamletPlot/subplot structure • Main Plot – court • Hamlet’s grief • Revenge of Old Hamlet’s death • Dealing with Fortinbras • Plots and machinations • Subplots – Polonius family • Ophelia and Hamlet’s love • Laertes in France • Revenge of Polonius’ death • Ophelia’s madness Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

48. HamletPlot/subplot structure • Main Plot – revenge • Revenge of Old Hamlet’s death • Revenge for Polonius’ death • Fortinbras’ revenge • Subplots • Hamlet’s grief, thoughts of death • Hamlet’s antic disposition • Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia • Ophelia’s madness Study Guide for EN231--English Literature

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

50. Hamletthemes • revenge • madness • grief • ideal king, politics • eavesdropping, spying • power of art, plays