The following prompts/guides/questions will help you through the first three acts. I think it is also important to see this play performed and so I strongly suggest that after you have read and thought about the scenes you view them. You can get all of any of the movies on youtube, just type in the act/scene and either "Branagh," "Olivier," "Tennant," or "Gibson"
I like Branagh for Hamlet heavy scenes and Ophelia is good
Tennant for Hamlet of Claudius
Gibson is good for Gertrude
Olivier is just a classic all around and has a nice stage performance feel to it.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Act III scene iv
If you can't tell by now, I am getting a bit tired. I will try to come back to this last scene, but if I do not, the best thing you can do for this scene is to look at it through both a feminist and a psychoanalytic lens. The beauty of this scene is in the comparisons that Hamlet draws and how he draws them.
This scene is home to the complication. If Hamlet was remiss to act prior to this scene, he is now obligated to act. Think of all of the relationships that will be effected by the simple act of Hamlet stabbing a curtain (note what spying gets you).
This scene is home to the complication. If Hamlet was remiss to act prior to this scene, he is now obligated to act. Think of all of the relationships that will be effected by the simple act of Hamlet stabbing a curtain (note what spying gets you).
Act III scene iii
This scene is filled with irony. track it.
The scene is predominated by two soliloquies. The King here actually admits to his misdeed. Look at the words carefully and judge if he is truly repentant.
Hamlet--JUST DO IT ALREADY!!!! Or not?
Is Hamlet obsessed with his mother's sexuality/sex life?
The scene is predominated by two soliloquies. The King here actually admits to his misdeed. Look at the words carefully and judge if he is truly repentant.
Hamlet--JUST DO IT ALREADY!!!! Or not?
Is Hamlet obsessed with his mother's sexuality/sex life?
Act III scene ii
A lot happens here, but most of the interesting points have been set up by this point. The play obviously parallels Hamlet's situation, what is fun abvout thios segment is Hamlet's interaction with Ophelia and his mother. Keep in mind how he treated O the last time he saw her. Is Hamlet letting his mother be, as his dad asked?
Check out the word play with Hamlet and R&G, Hamlet and Polonius.
Check out the word play with Hamlet and R&G, Hamlet and Polonius.
Act III scene i
This scene is one of the most iconic of any of Shakespeare's works. I have also recently heared that the big soliloquy serves to slow the pace of the play. What are your views on this?
Look at how Hamlet treats Ophelia as a slut and/or a virtuous virgin.
What do Halmlet's desires to kill himself do to your view of him? Keep in mind that he does not go through with it. Why does he not go through with it (look at the text of the speech for your response)?
What does the King plan to do w/ Hamlet now that he fears him? How does Polonius alter the plan? This last point is important as it sets up the complication.
What does Claudius mean by "great ones" in the final line of the scene?
Look at how Hamlet treats Ophelia as a slut and/or a virtuous virgin.
What do Halmlet's desires to kill himself do to your view of him? Keep in mind that he does not go through with it. Why does he not go through with it (look at the text of the speech for your response)?
What does the King plan to do w/ Hamlet now that he fears him? How does Polonius alter the plan? This last point is important as it sets up the complication.
What does Claudius mean by "great ones" in the final line of the scene?
Act II scene ii
Given the nature of the history between R & G and Hamlet, could/would/do you consider their involvement w/ the royal family a betrayal? Remember that dramatic irony may play a role in our view of these characters.
*Please find Polonius as funny as I do in the scene. 1/2 of what he says is that he has something to say and that he is going to say it succinctly. I think he likes to talk more than I do!
*Does Polonius' view of his daughter have an effect on your view of him? Conversely, what do you think of his volunteering her as a patsy for spying on Hamlet?
*Is there any evidence in this scene to judge the complicity of Gertrude?
*One of the greatest things about this play is the wordplay of Hamlet. Take note of the duel meanings of all of Hamlet's interactions w/ Polonius, R&G, Claudius, Ophelia, and his mom (I guess that's everyone other than his real friend Horatio).
*Acting/action are major elements in this play.
*Note that much of what Hamlet says here (and throughout the play) is in prose. Shakespeare reserves poetic verse for his nobility. Hamlet is noble is he not? Why would he have Hamlet speak like this? Is there a consistency to when he speaks in prose? How about with whom he is speaking?
*Is there any significance to the topic of the actor's speech (ala the tapestry in Dimsdale's room)?
*Hamlet's soliloquy at the end of the scene is filled with passion. What/who is he so angry at and why? Refer back to major note from Iv.
*The final 1/3 of the speech deals w/ Hamlet's specific plan to catch the king. What is this plan, and is Hamlet just stalling or is he being prudent?
*Please find Polonius as funny as I do in the scene. 1/2 of what he says is that he has something to say and that he is going to say it succinctly. I think he likes to talk more than I do!
*Does Polonius' view of his daughter have an effect on your view of him? Conversely, what do you think of his volunteering her as a patsy for spying on Hamlet?
*Is there any evidence in this scene to judge the complicity of Gertrude?
*One of the greatest things about this play is the wordplay of Hamlet. Take note of the duel meanings of all of Hamlet's interactions w/ Polonius, R&G, Claudius, Ophelia, and his mom (I guess that's everyone other than his real friend Horatio).
*Acting/action are major elements in this play.
*Note that much of what Hamlet says here (and throughout the play) is in prose. Shakespeare reserves poetic verse for his nobility. Hamlet is noble is he not? Why would he have Hamlet speak like this? Is there a consistency to when he speaks in prose? How about with whom he is speaking?
*Is there any significance to the topic of the actor's speech (ala the tapestry in Dimsdale's room)?
*Hamlet's soliloquy at the end of the scene is filled with passion. What/who is he so angry at and why? Refer back to major note from Iv.
*The final 1/3 of the speech deals w/ Hamlet's specific plan to catch the king. What is this plan, and is Hamlet just stalling or is he being prudent?
Act II scene i
And its on!
*This scene is set in two parts. The first 1/2 of the scene sets Polonius up as a parenting foil. Is it odd that the foil for bad parenting is bad parenting? Does Shakespeare mean for us to view Polonius as a good parent?
*A little reader response: Is Polonius a good dad? Look for specific lines to back your view.
*Have you noticed the development of spying as a theme yet?
The Second Half:
*Note the elegant simplicity of Hamlet's first move as a "crazy man." The whisper down the line theory is oddly profound.
*Is Hamlet abusive towards Ophelia?
*Is there any evidence on the degree of involvement between Hamlet and Ophelia? Does it matter if they slept together?
*This scene is set in two parts. The first 1/2 of the scene sets Polonius up as a parenting foil. Is it odd that the foil for bad parenting is bad parenting? Does Shakespeare mean for us to view Polonius as a good parent?
*A little reader response: Is Polonius a good dad? Look for specific lines to back your view.
*Have you noticed the development of spying as a theme yet?
The Second Half:
*Note the elegant simplicity of Hamlet's first move as a "crazy man." The whisper down the line theory is oddly profound.
*Is Hamlet abusive towards Ophelia?
*Is there any evidence on the degree of involvement between Hamlet and Ophelia? Does it matter if they slept together?
Act I scene v
This is where it all starts. Note specifically Hamlet's plan "To put an antic disposition on..." (line 172) Why in the world would a man do this in order to get revenge?
*Looking back on the scene make note of any lines that deal with the degree of seriousness w/ which Hamlet takes this issue. Look far any lines that state that Hamlet has dedicated his life to revenge. Use these lines to guide your reading of the character and his actions through the remainder of the play. Continue to note (and I mean actually write down) any lines that deal with Hamlet's dedication to his plan (ie "O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right")
*Take a few minutes and review Hamlet's first soliloquy and compare the images conjured by his speech with those crafted by the Ghost in this scene. Does this create any doubt in the question of Hamlet's sanity?
*Looking back on the scene make note of any lines that deal with the degree of seriousness w/ which Hamlet takes this issue. Look far any lines that state that Hamlet has dedicated his life to revenge. Use these lines to guide your reading of the character and his actions through the remainder of the play. Continue to note (and I mean actually write down) any lines that deal with Hamlet's dedication to his plan (ie "O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right")
*Take a few minutes and review Hamlet's first soliloquy and compare the images conjured by his speech with those crafted by the Ghost in this scene. Does this create any doubt in the question of Hamlet's sanity?
Act I scene iv
*Note specifically Hamlet's state of mind as he enters into his new life. Review Hamlet's speech around line 65 ("Why, what should be the fear?...")
*Notable line: Marcellus, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
*Is it significant that Hamlet leaves Marcellus and Horatio to converse w/ the ghost? What does this do for our view of Hamlet't sanity. Be thinking of this as you read/reread the following scene.
*Notable line: Marcellus, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
*Is it significant that Hamlet leaves Marcellus and Horatio to converse w/ the ghost? What does this do for our view of Hamlet't sanity. Be thinking of this as you read/reread the following scene.
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