“Something is

rotten in the state

of Denmark.”

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

Act I, scene I

Discussion

With your seat partner, answer the discussion questions below.

**Use textual evidence to support your answers.**

Finally….

1. Find evidence that Horatio connects unnatural happenings to the ghost’s appearance. Use

textual evidence to support answers.

2. Why do you think King Hamlet’s ghost

appears at the beginning of the play? What

might the allusion to Julius Caesar suggest?

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

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

Act I, Scene ii:

Discussion

– One’s: examine the King’s opening lines and

write down in your notes key words describing

his character—what outward appearance or

façade is revealed in this speech?

– Two’s: analyze the King’s advice to Hamlet

about dealing with his father’s death—what is

his advice? Do you agree?

– Three’s: examine Hamlet’s first soliloquy.

How would you describe Hamlet? Why is his

speech so pessimistic?

“Mommy Dearest”

Finally….

– What kind of relationship does Hamlet

have with his uncle and his mother?

Explain.

Act I, Scene iii:

What’s the

Point????

Subplot: Laertes, Ophelia, Polonius

1. Laertes and Ophelia

2. Polonius and Laertes

3. Polonius and Ophelia

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:

1. Do you agree with his advice? Explain.

2. What is Polonius’ concern for his daughter?

How is his advice similar to Laertes’ advice?

3. Do you agree with their concerns? Explain.

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?

Hamlet and the Ghost

1. The meeting

2. The instructions: Punish Claudie, Leave

Gertie alone

3. Feigned or real: insanity? An “antic

disposition”? Why? (Revisit the text)

4. Hamlet’s reaction…

1. Polonius sends someone to spy on his son,

Laertes

2. Ophelia reports Hamlet’s strange appearance

REVENGE

What are the side effects of revenge? What happens to someone as a result of revenge? What about the people around them? Is it self destructive? Why? Who

gets hurt?

Claudius

Gertrude

Hamlet

Polonius

Laertes

Ophelia

Look at how the members of the family react and respond to the respective heads of the family, Claudius and Polonius. Can

you sense any genuine love or concern in either family?

Unlike some of Shakespeare’s other female characters (Juliet), Ophelia is not a developed character. She gives into the demands from the men in her life.

What do we learn from Ophelia about

Hamlet’s appearance? (83-90)

Hamlet knows Ophelia will tell her father what

she has seen .

Feminist critics comment that Ophelia

seems to have no scope for following her own

wishes. Others, contrasting her with

Juliet, accuse her of a complete lack of spirit.

Key Info

Deception is widespread

Humor in Hamlet’s Madness

Players have an important role

Hamlet curses his lack of

action

Real Madness Vs Fake Madness

Hamlet’s most unique soliloquy

The dramatic purpose of this episode is to establish Hamlet as a characteristically detached, reflective, analytic, thinking and moral. Abstract reflection.

Read through the scene and work through the following steps:

1. What are the key messages of this

soliloquy? 2. Why is there no mention of the

ghost/Claudius/Gertrude? 3. What do you notice about the tone and

tempo? 4. What does this show you about

Hamlet’s state of mind?

‘Get thee to a nunnery’

EXPLORE

Hamlet’s reaction to Ophelia before she speaks. - How he refers to her - Language used Hamlet’s rage once Ophelia

starts talking. - How does he refer to her

now? - Language he uses

What are the key moments of the scene?

Horatio…….the voice of reason?

Horatio Gertrude

Ophelia Rosencrantz

And

Guildenstern

‘Ophelia should be viewed as a completely innocent

victim’

Argue for AND against this statement

for against

What does this scene reveal about

Claudius’ character?

Act 3 Scene 3

How do we know this?

Plot

Device

Tragic

Flaw Conscience

Fairness

What is the purpose

behind Hamlet’s confrontation?

Confirms Claudius’

Guilt

Make Gertrude

repent

Repair their relationship

Hamlet’s control