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Hamlet Act I

Hamlet Act I. “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”. Act I, scene I Discussion. Exposition: establishment of character, situation, conflict… The watch on the battlements Horatio and the Ghost Horatio is introduced: he is educated, rational, dutiful

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Hamlet Act I

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  1. Hamlet Act I “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

  2. Act I, scene I Discussion • Exposition: establishment of character, situation, conflict… • The watch on the battlements Horatio and the Ghost • Horatio is introduced: he is educated, rational, dutiful • Scene establishes that something is wrong in Denmark: • Nervousness of the watch • Tension in the opening lines “Who's there?” • Appearance of the ghost of Old Hamlet • Preparations for war • Problems with young Fortinbras These factors introduce us to a troubled Denmark

  3. Act I, scene I Discussion • With your seat partner, answer questions 1-6 in your study guide packet. Use textual evidence to support your answers. • Finally…. • Find evidence that Horatio connects unnatural happenings to the ghost’s appearance. Use textual evidence to support answers. • Why do you think King Hamlet’s ghost appears at the beginning of the play?What might the allusion to Julius Caesar suggest?

  4. Act I, Scene ii • The Court, Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, Laertes, Polonius • Contrasts with scene one in that this scene gives illusion of normality • Claudius: a competent administrator • Hamlet: still mourning the loss of his father; sets him apart from others: “ a cloud still hangs over him” – depressed, unsettled

  5. Act I, Scene ii Central Theme introduced: “Seems, Madame” Speech (Appearance vs. Reality) • Claudius and Gertrude deal with Hamlet’s grief – irony in their concern over “natural” death by “unnatural causes” • Hamlet’s First Soliloquy – our real first glimpse of Hamlet • Horatio’s Friendship

  6. Act I, Scene ii: Discussion • Group one: examine the King’s opening lines and underline key words describing his character—what outward appearance or façade is revealed in this speech? • Group two: analyze the King’s advice to Hamlet about dealing with his father’s death—what is his advice? Do you agree? • Group three: examine Hamlet’s first soliloquy. How would you describe Hamlet? Why is his speech so pessimistic?

  7. “Mommy Dearest” • Finally…. • What kind of relationship does Hamlet have with his uncle and his mother? Explain.

  8. Act I, Scene iiI: Pre-reading • Relationships, characterization… • In this upcoming scene, we meet Ophelia, Laertes’ sister and Polonius’ daughter. Both give her some important advice about love. • What advice would you give your daughter or sister about love?

  9. Act I, Scene iii: What’s the Point???? • Subplot: Laertes, Ophelia, Polonius • Laertes and Ophelia • Polonius and Laertes • Polonius and Ophelia

  10. Act I, Scene iii: Discussion • Reread Polonius’s advice to Laertes. With your seat partner, translate his advice into Modern English. Then answer the following questions: • Do you agree with his advice? Explain. • What is Polonius’ concern for his daughter? How is his advice similar to Laertes’ advice? • Do you agree with their concerns? Explain.

  11. Act I, Scene iv Hamlet, Horatio and the Watch meet the Ghost • The question of the Ghost: “Spirit of Health or Goblin Damned”? What do you think so far? Why?

  12. Act I, Scene V • Hamlet and the Ghost • The meeting • The instructions: Punish Claudie, Leave Gertie alone • Feigned or real: insanity? An “antic disposition”? Why? (Revisit the text) • Hamlet’s reaction…

  13. Quiz • Prepare for 50 point quiz on Act I: • Quote Identification • Fill-in-the blank: Setting, characters, and plot • Short answers • Quote analysis: review the passages that we translated and studied in detail!

  14. Reading Parts • Pg.23 • Hamlet • Polonius • Laertes • Ophelia • Horatio • Ghost • Marcellus

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