Hamlet

Essential Question // How do playwrights use the tragic flaw to reveal theme? // // How does Shakespeare use literary foil and soliloquy to develop the tragic flaw? //



Shakespeare Warm-Up

In order to prepare for our foray into the world of Shakespeare as we read //The Tragedy of Hamlet//, we are going to put some research into action and explore a few of his sonnets. Your tasks are as follows:

__ As individual classes: __
 * 1) Read and explicate Sonnet 140 and Sonnet 149.
 * 2) Identify the motifs and themes of the poems.
 * 3) Analyze how Shakespeare creates those themes (elements, devices, mood, tone, etc.)
 * 4) Create a visual representation of your explication, motifs, and themes. This can be done via posterboard, construction paper, technology, etc.

__ As an entire group (all three classes combined): __ **Objective**: transform room 103 into the world of Shakespeare. Suggested modes of attack: (Each class will be creating a collaborative bibliography via google docs to document your sources. Follow the MLA format.) 4. Discuss and plan how you want to visually represent your research.
 * 1) Research the Elizabethan Era
 * 2) Research the Globe Theater
 * 3) Research Shakespeare’s biography

Possible Visual Representations:
 * 1) Posters (with words and pictures)
 * 2) Rearrange the furniture
 * 3) Appropriate props
 * 4) Chalkboard drawings/writings

I will create a google document and invite everyone so there is a central location to share information, ideas, links, pictures, etc. As the project progresses, you are welcome to create new documents to organize it differently. If you do so, please remember to invite me as a collaborator!

During Reading

What to look for: //Syllabus 2012// For all assigned readings, you must compose an abstract (summary of major plot points), explicate for elements (highlight AND identify!!!), and compose a discussion question that begins with how or why. For the first reading, create a character chart to which you will add as we read. Online Text of Play Due November 27: Act I, scenes i-ii (pp. 1-9) December 29: I, iii-v (pp. 9-16) December 3: II, i-ii (pp. 17-29) December 5: III, i (pp. 29-32) December 7: III, ii (pp. 32-39) December 10: III, iii-iv (pp. 39-44) December 12: IV, i-iv (pp. 44-49) December 13: IV, v-vi (pp. 49-53) Pd 1 pd 3 pd 8
 * Metaphor/Conceit
 * Soliloquy
 * Literary Foil
 * Classical Allusion
 * Symbolism
 * Irony (Situational and Dramatic)
 * Subplot

December 14: IV, vii (pp. 53-56) December 18: V, i (pp. 56-62) December 19: V, ii (pp. 62-69)

YOUR MIDTERM WILL FOCUS ON SHAKESPEARE'S USE OF SOLILOQUY SO PLEASE PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO HAMLET'S SOLILOQUIES AS YOU READ!!!



In order to review and prepare for the midterm, we are going to complete the following document. The more thorough you are in your details, the better organization for your essay.