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Shakespeare’s

Shakespeare’s. Hamlet. William Shakespeare. 1564-1616 Lived in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (Elizabethan Age) the most fertile period of the Renaissance

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Shakespeare’s

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  1. Shakespeare’s Hamlet

  2. William Shakespeare • 1564-1616 • Lived in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (Elizabethan Age) • the most fertile period of the Renaissance • Influenced by other famous authors who also lived during this time period--all of these playwrights were concerned with issues such as the supernatural and classic themes.

  3. More on William, my love… • Construction of England’s first public theatre was when he was 12. • He attended the local grammar school and studied the classics. • Shakespeare devoted most of his life to writing plays, however he did elect to act in a few • (Known to have played the ghost in Hamlet) • Globe Theatre in 1598 held 2000-3000 spectators

  4. Why was Shakespeare Popular? • Monarchs liked him • Varying types of loves are emphasized • Raised moral questions about suicide, love, hatred, etc. • Interacted with audience

  5. Why wasn’t Shakespeare Popular? • New words, phrases and use of language • Plays too loosely put together • Most criticism comes from people who don’t understand them.

  6. “The play’s the thing…” A little background info on the play Hamlet…

  7. Hamlet • Written c. 1600 AD • Hamlet is a tragedy • Tragedy: the main character undergoes a struggle and suffers a downfall… • Hamlet a tragic hero? • Tragic Hero: a character of great importance or noble heritage, whose fatal flaw (and sometimes fate) brings about a tragic downfall.

  8. More on Hamlet • Hamlet is thought to be based on a Danish tale Ur-Hamlet • Hamletis the most well-known Shakespearean work • Hamlet is often alluded to in pop culture • Some of Hamlet’s innermost thoughts are often quoted (look in the 7 Hamlet Soliloquies!)

  9. The Historical Hamlet • There was a Danish king named “Amleth” who is supposed to be the basis of Shakespeare’s main character. • He lived during the Dark Ages, c. 700. • Amleth’s father (the king) was assassinated by Amleth’s uncle, who then became king instead of Amleth. • Amleth eventually killed his uncle and took the crown back, ruling Denmark for many years. • He was eventually killed in battle and, interestingly, his wife married the man who killed him (you’ll understand the later).

  10. Hamlet as a Revenge Play • “Revenge” play: the hero of the story seeks bloody justice for the wrongful acts of a villain(s) -Characters in the play are members of a tight-knit family -One family member is summoned to avenge a family member’s death -A ghost or a dream incites the avenger to do his bloody business -By the last act the stage is literally filled with carnage

  11. Hamlet as a Problem Play • Considered one of the most problematic texts in all of literature • Focuses on complications from love, death, & betrayal without offering a solid resolution.

  12. Sub Plot-Conflict w/ Fortinbras • Fortinbras’ father, King of Norway, was killed during battle for control of “a little patch of ground”(4.4, 19). • Lost this land to Hamlet Sr. • Hamlet and Fortinbras both lost their fathers and have sworn to avenge their deaths, • Character Foil: A minor character, whose contrast highlights characteristics of the main character • Fortinbrasis a man of action vs. Hamlet who is a thinking man. • Fortinbrasand Laertes are parallels of Hamlet

  13. Drama Terms… • Comic relief: Where the author adds some comedy to a drama

  14. Dramatic Devices Soliloquy: a dramatic monologue that represents a series of unspoken reflections Aside: a character on stage speaks to the audience. Play within in a play: one story is told during the action of another story

  15. Literary Devices Pun: a word with multiple meanings. Example: “I am too much in the sun.” Foreshadowing: when the author hints at what’s to come. Example: “There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark…”

  16. Literary Devices Poetry vs. Prose: iambic pentameter (blank verse- poetry that has 10 syllables per line with every other syllable emphasized) vs. regular speech. Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something the characters do not.

  17. Fun facts • Hamlet was written in 1600 BC but set in the Middle Ages. • Hamlet a Renaissance or Medieval man? • Hamlet is a play of questions- • 421 question marks • The word “question” appears 15 times

  18. Essential Questions: • What is the nature of the relationships? (Hamlet and Ophelia/ Hamlet and Gertrude) • Who or what is the cause of corruption? • How is Hamlet a tragic hero? • Why does Hamlet hesitate? • Is Hamlet really insane? • What motivates characters? • How does form enhance meaning?

  19. Themes/Motifs • A theme is a broad message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. • A motif is any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story.

  20. Themes/Motifs (cont.) • Appearance vs. Reality • Role of Women • Poison, Corruption, Rot (Plague) • Revenge v. Reason • Action v. Inaction • Time • Religious Imagery • Sanity • Supernatural Elements • Hubris • Oedipal Complex

  21. The End

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