Hamlet
Your final exam on Hamlet will be
A: a quote quiz: I will give you 10 quotes from the play and you will identify who speaks, to whom and in.what context. For some of the quotes I will ask for a paraphrase.
B: memorization of to be or not to be soliloquy
C: an essay on the whole play
Read introductory material for Thursday: Pay special attention to “Shakespeare’s Language” and “Shakespeare’s Stage”
FOR FRIDAY: Finish Act II on your own. Read it before class. Write 1/2-1 page on your interpretation of the line: "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so"
Bring your essay
As you read: For each main character, write a brief description. Quote the text. Include first impressions. Include what we learn from the character and from other characters.
Summarize in your own words each act in about a page: How are plot lines and themes developed?
Track at least four themes / motifs as they run through the play:
Appearance vs. reality
Acting (Disguise, theatricality, playing a part)
Impossibility of certainty
Sickness in the body politic
Honor
Religion
Morality and the Mystery of death
etc, etc
We will write three passage analyses. Two outside of class. You are welcome to consult sources for these but you must put sources aside when you write. I will randomly select one of the essays to grade.
Essay 1 is due Wednesday for peer editing: Final draft is due Friday.
ALSO: You must submit a typed proposal for your outside writing on Friday.
Coming Next week: Work on tone and literary elements. Continue Hamlet.
Your final exam on Hamlet will be
A: a quote quiz: I will give you 10 quotes from the play and you will identify who speaks, to whom and in.what context. For some of the quotes I will ask for a paraphrase.
B: memorization of to be or not to be soliloquy
C: an essay on the whole play
Read introductory material for Thursday: Pay special attention to “Shakespeare’s Language” and “Shakespeare’s Stage”
FOR FRIDAY: Finish Act II on your own. Read it before class. Write 1/2-1 page on your interpretation of the line: "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so"
Bring your essay
As you read: For each main character, write a brief description. Quote the text. Include first impressions. Include what we learn from the character and from other characters.
- Hamlet
- Horatio
- The Ghost Hamlet
- Queen Gertrude
- King Claudius
- Ophelia
- Laertes
- Polonius
- Rosencrantz/Guildenstern
- Fortinbras
Summarize in your own words each act in about a page: How are plot lines and themes developed?
Track at least four themes / motifs as they run through the play:
Appearance vs. reality
Acting (Disguise, theatricality, playing a part)
Impossibility of certainty
Sickness in the body politic
Honor
Religion
Morality and the Mystery of death
etc, etc
We will write three passage analyses. Two outside of class. You are welcome to consult sources for these but you must put sources aside when you write. I will randomly select one of the essays to grade.
Essay 1 is due Wednesday for peer editing: Final draft is due Friday.
ALSO: You must submit a typed proposal for your outside writing on Friday.
Coming Next week: Work on tone and literary elements. Continue Hamlet.