Questions and Review for William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

1. To be, or not to be: Questions and Review for William Shakespeare’s Hamlet Continue

2. Objectives • Upon completion of this review, you will be able to: • Identify 1 key characteristic of each of the 5 main characters with 100% accuracy • Recall 2 major themes and motifs with 100% accuracy • Identify the meaning behind the major quotes discussed with 100% accuracy • And identify the symbol discussed with 100% accuracy Continue

3. State Standard • 9.3- “Students read and respond to grade-level- appropriate historically or culturally significant works of literature, such as the selections in the www.doe.in.gov/standards/readinglist.html, which will illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students. At Grade 9, students read a wide variety of literature, such as classic and contemporary literature, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, folklore, mythology, poetry, short stories, dramas, and other genres.” – IN.GOV (IDOE) Continue

4. “Hi! I’m Will, and I am here to help guide you through this review of Hamlet! Shakespeare can be a bit intimidating, but don’t worry! I will be here to help you along the way with directions, information, and even some fun facts! So let’s get started!” Let’s Get Started!

5. But first, let’s review the story of Hamlet! • Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, is devastated by the death of his father, the King. He returns home from University to find his mother, Gertrude, has married his uncle, Claudius. After seeing the ghost of his father, Hamlet discovers that his uncle murdered his father to gain the crown. In the end, a bloody duel of swords and poison kill Gertrude and Hamlet, but not before Hamlet finally fulfills his goal and kills Claudius. Would you like me to give you even more information? Take me to the Main Menu Yes, tell me more!

6. More Information • For a more complete summary of the story just click below! Visit Sparknotes Now! Take me back to Main Menu Take me back to the review

7. This is the Main Menu! “Where would you like to go? Just click a button below!” Characters Review the story of Hamlet! Themes and Motifs Application and Quiz! Important Quotes

8. Character Home “Welcome to the characters page! Just click a character below to find out more about them!” Hamlet Claudius Ophelia Back to Main Menu Gertrude

9. Hamlet Hamlet, the protagonist of the play, is the prince of Denmark and a university student. His studies are put on hold, however, when his father dies. Hamlet is a very enigmatic character. Possibly Hamlet’s most defining characteristic is his that he is a thinker- always contemplative and thoughtful. Hamlet is constantly thinking philosophically about the world around him. He is also very passionate. These two qualities cause Hamlet to experience internal conflict in his quest to avenge his father’s death. Meet a new character

10. What is a protagonist? • A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, musical or cinematic narrative. (The person the plot revolves around) FUN FACT! Did you know the word protagonist comes from the Greek word protagonistes, meaning “One who plays the first part- the chief actor”. Back

11. What does enigmatic mean? • If someone or something is enigmatic it means that they are mysterious, puzzling, or ambiguous. Back

12. Claudius Hamlet’s major antagonist. Portrayed as lustful, conniving, and shrewd, Claudius became the king of Denmark by marrying his brother’s wife, Gertrude, after his brother’s death (Claudius killed his brother, the king, by pouring poison in his ear). Claudius only truly cares about maintaining and increasing his own power. Meet a new character

13. What does antagonist mean? An antagonist is a character, or group of characters, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend (Usually, but not always, the “bad guy”). FUN FACT! Did you know that the word antagonist comes from the Greek word antagonistes, meaning “opponent, competitor, or rival.” Back

14. Gertrude The queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother. Once married to the late king (Hamlet’s father), Gertrude recently married Claudius, the late King’s brother. Gertrude loves her son, but she is needy and is constantly craving affection. This causes her to value status more than truth or morality. FUN FACT! Glen Close played Gertrude in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1990 rendition of Hamlet! Meet a new character

15. Ophelia Hamlet’s love interest in the play. Ophelia is a sweet and innocent young girl. She is not the strongest female character, however, as she seems to depend on the men in her life to tell her what to do. Even after her fall into madness (Ophelia drowns), Ophelia remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers. The quintessential maiden. FUN FACT! Boys and men played all the roles in Shakespeare’s plays, as it was customary in Elizabethan times. So much for a fair maiden. Meet a new character

16. Themes, Motifs, and Symbols “One of the most exciting parts of reading Shakespeare is discovering the themes, motifs, and symbols used. So let’s get started!” “What would you like to learn about? Just click an option below!” Motifs Themes Symbols Back to Main Menu

17. Themes “Great! Let’s take a look at the Themes in Hamlet. What would you like to learn?” What is a theme? The Mystery of Death and Morality Revenge & Complexity of Action The Nation as a Diseased Body Back

18. What are themes? Themes are the fundamental, and often universal, ideas explored in a literary work. Back

19. Theme: The Nation as a Diseased Body Eventually, the issues of the royal family transfer onto the people of Denmark. The play’s early scenes express the uneasiness and dread that surrounds the transition from one king to the next. Because of this confusion and unease, Denmark is frequently described as a physical body made ill. FUN FACT! Did you know that Denmark is the oldest monarchy of the west? Until the 19th century Denmark controlled all of northern Europe! Those Vikings sure were handy! Back to Themes No, not those Vikings!

20. Theme: Revenge and the Complexity of Action The play begins with all the makings of your typical revenge story. But it soon becomes clear that this story will not be so simple. The majority of Hamlet revolves around Hamlet’s indecision. Hamlet’s question of how to act is affected not only by rational consideration (like his need for certainty) but also by emotional, ethical, and psychological factors. Likely due to his emotional turmoil and indecision, when Hamlet does act, he seems to do it hastily. Back to Themes

21. Theme: The Mystery of Death and Mortality After his father’s death, Hamlet is obsessed with the idea of death and mortality. Death weaves its way through Hamlet from the very beginning. From the opening scene with Hamlet’s father’s ghost, to Ophelia’s death, to Hamlet’s own suicidal thoughts, to the tale’s bloody finale. The ideas of death and suicide even lead to Hamlet’s famous “To be, or not to be” speech! Back to Themes

22. Motifs “Fantastic! Let’s get started on Motifs! Click a motif below to begin.” What is a motif? Incest Misogyny Back

23. What Is a Motif? Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the texts major themes. Back

24. Motif: Incest The idea of incest runs through the play, being alluded to by Hamlet and the ghost, most obviously in the relationship of Gertrude and Claudius as they were brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Back to Motifs

25. Motif: Misogyny Shattered by his mother’s choice to marry Claudius so soon after the death of his father, Hamlet becomes cynical about women in general. He comes to have an obsession with the belief that there is a connection between female sexuality and moral corruption. Back to Motifs

26. The Symbol “Welcome to the symbol section! Click a choice below to continue.” What is a symbol? Yorick’s Skull Back

27. What Is a Symbol? Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Back

28. Symbol: Yorick’s Skull In Hamlet, physical objects are rarely used to represent thematic ideas. One important exception is Yorick’s skull. Hamlet finds the skull of Yorick (the court jester) in the graveyard in Scene 1 Act V. As Hamlet speaks to the skull, he thinks about the inevitability of death and the disintegration of the human body. Back

29. Quotes “Shakespeare can be rather tricky to understand. But don’t fret! I am here to help. Just click on a quote below to read an explanation!” “O that this too too solid flesh would melt” “To be, or not to be: that is the question” Back to Main Menu

30. Quote: “O that this too too solid flesh would melt…” Hamlet speaks these lines after seeing Claudius and Gertrude in court, then being asked by them not to return to school even though he longs to. Hamlet thinks for the first time about suicide, desiring his flesh to melt and wishing that God had not made “self-slaughter” a sin. Back

31. Quote: “To be, or not to be…” Hamlet speaks these immortal words in Act III. His logical and powerful examination of the moral legitimacy of suicide touches on several important themes of the play. Hamlet poses the question of whether or not to commit suicide as, “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” FUN FACT! This soliloquy is one of the most famous in the history of the English language. Back

32. Application Section “Congratulations! You have made it all the way to the application section of the review! You are doing a great job! Here we will take a look at how Hamlet translates into modern day culture to help you gain a better understanding of how the play is used today.” If you have completed this section, click below to skip to the quiz If you have yet to complete this section, please click Continue Continue Skip to Quiz

33. “Now, you may be wondering what the story of Hamlet has to do with modern culture. Yes, Hamlet was written a long time ago. But Shakespeare’s works have inspired modern works of literature, art, and film for years. Hamlet is no exception, acting as the inspiration for one of Disney’s most famous and beloved classics.” So what Disney classic was inspired by Hamlet? Continue

34. The Lion King! “That’s right! Disney based the story of The Lion King on Shakespeare’s very own Hamlet. In this application of Hamlet, we will take a look at the similarities between The Lion King and Hamlet, both in the stories and the characters.” Back to Main Menu Let’s Begin!

35. Hamlet and The Lion King: Shared Themes • The stories of Hamlet and The Lion King share many of the same themes, including: • Responsibility • Death and Loss • Revenge Continue

36. The most striking similarities can be seen through the comparison of the characters. In the following slides, you will be given a picture of a character from The Lion King. Choose the character from Hamlet that The Lion King character was most likely based on. Keep in mind the character descriptions we reviewed earlier! Quit to Main Menu Quit to Character Page Continue

37. Simba Who was the character of Simba based on? Hamlet Claudius Gertrude Ophelia

38. Great Job! Hamlet is correct! The role of the young Prince whose father is murdered was inspired by Hamlet, whose naïve ways give him more than his fair share of troubles. Continue

39. Oops! Actually, the role of the young Prince whose father is murdered was inspired by Hamlet, whose naïve ways give him more than his fair share of troubles. Continue

40. Mufasa Who was the character of Mufasa based on? Ophelia Claudius Gertrude King Hamlet Sr

41. Amazing! That is correct! King Hamlet ruled his kingdom with peace and fairness and was well-loved by his kingdom and son, just like Mufasa! Continue

42. Oops! Actually, the answer was King Hamlet, Sr. King Hamlet ruled his kingdom with peace and fairness and was well-loved by his kingdom and son, just like Mufasa! Continue

43. Scar Who was the character of Scar based on? Gertrude Ophelia Claudius Laertes

44. Wonderful! The answer was Claudius! Both Claudius and Scar murdered their brothers in a selfish effort to inherit the thrown. Continue

45. Oops! Actually, the answer was Claudius. Both Claudius and Scar murdered their brothers in a selfish effort to inherit the thrown. Continue

46. Sarabi Who was the character of Sarabi based on? Laertes Gertrude Ophelia Yorick

47. Wow! That’s Right! Both Gertrude and Sarabi lost their husbands to their brother-in-law’s evil acts. Continue

48. Oops! Actually, the answer was Gertrude Both Gertrude and Sarabi lost their husbands to their brother-in-law’s evil acts. Continue

49. Nala Who was the character of Nala based on? Leartes Yorick Ophelia

50. Amazing! Nala and Ophelia both act as the love-interest of the main character. Continue