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The Tragedy of Hamlet:

The Tragedy of Hamlet:. Prince of Denmark. All the World’s a Stage. Introduction The play begins in Denmark with two military guards greeting each other nervously The mood of the opening scene is dark, anxious, and mysterious – the same can be said for most of the play

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The Tragedy of Hamlet:

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  1. The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark

  2. All the World’s a Stage Introduction • The play begins in Denmark with two military guards greeting each other nervously • The mood of the opening scene is dark, anxious, and mysterious – the same can be said for most of the play • Denmark is not at war, but in the midst of active military preparations

  3. All the World’s a Stage • The royal family is in a state of confusion: the king is dead, his brother is in charge • The play is set in Elsinore, Denmark

  4. Denmark

  5. Denmark

  6. What’s in a Name? Characters • Hamlet – Prince of Denmark • Claudius – King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle • Gertrude – Queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother • The ghost – Hamlet’s father, the late King • Polonius – counselor to the King • Laertes – son of Polonius • Ophelia – Polonius’s daughter • Horatio, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Cornelius and Voltemand, Reynaldo, Osric – Nobles • Marcellus, Bernardo, Francisco – Soldiers/military guards

  7. What’s in a Name? • Prince Hamlet is main character • Queen Gertrude is remarried to King Claudius (the late King’s brother) • The late King appears in the play as the ghost • Hamlet himself is many things – angry, brave, clever. He often shares his thoughts with us in the form of both asides and soliloquies • The royal family attempts to keep up appearances despite inner turmoil

  8. Come What May Things to Think About • Signs of order and disorder appear in the kingdom (Elsinore). Watch for characters’ comments about order and disorder (truth and lies) • What holds the kingdom together? Are things falling apart? • Who puts on a great face and displays good manners? Who is behaving poorly or confused? • Keep a critical eye on the entire court! (Royal family and nobles/soldiers)

  9. All Our Yesterdays Historical and Social Context • During Shakespeare’s time, many people believed in ghosts in real life • People believed that ghosts, goblins, and other restless spirits came from hell to disrupt and tempt the living • They were often considered untrustworthy

  10. All Our Yesterdays • Shakespeare’s outdoor theater was called The Globe • Actors traditionally entered and exited through doors in the back • A trap door provided room for a dramatic entrance or exit; this allowed the ghost in Hamlet to move around mysteriously

  11. My Worlds Fly Up Language • Shakespeare’s language raises questions about words we think we know – for example, “natural” • What is natural behavior between a father-uncle and a son-nephew? • What is unnatural or phony behavior in regard to how characters treat the new king? • Look for double meanings in the characters’ dialogue

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