North Senior Academy

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet

Popularity of Hamlet and young Hamlet

•Over twenty film versions of Hamlet have been produced just since World War II

•More has been written about Hamlet than about any other literary character

•Most intelligent character in literature?

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet

A“Problem” Play

•Sense of mystery, introspection, questions•Why does it take Hamlet so long to try and avenge King Hamlet’s murder?•Why does Hamlet stage a play within his own play?•Why does Hamlet decide to act insane?•Does Hamlet really go insane?

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet

Motifs and Themes

•Deception / Appearance and Reality•Passion and Reason•Decay and Corruption •Melancholy•Madness and Sanity•Revenge •Misogyny

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet• Literary term: foil• A foil is “any person that enhances or

underscores the distinctive characteristics of another”

• The primary foils to Hamlet in the play are Laertres and Fortinbras, the Norwegian crown prince.

• Both Hamlet and Fortinbras have lost a father. The Danish prince deliberates, ponders and plans - the Norwegian prince is impulsive and determined to avenge his father’s death

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet

Passages to Examine

•Act 1. Scene I - BERNARDO: Who's there?•Act 1. Scene II - CLAUDIUS: Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death•Act 1. Scene II - HAMLET: O, that this too too solid flesh would melt•Act 1. Scene III - POLONIUS: And these few precepts•Act 1. Scene V - GHOST: I am thy father's spirit

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet