3/14/2014

READ
"Reading Shakespeare's Language" in the Folger edition of Hamlet (xiv - xxiii)

HMALET - Classical Allusions - 2 Versions

(1.13)

Lesson 8 - "Words, Words, Words" - A Closer Look at Language"

11 MARCH 2014

Hamlet 'Attacks' Polonius
2.2.187-237

-Q. If you were to make a movie version of this scene - what would the set look like? Where in Elsinore would you place it? What furniture, props, costumes, music and special effects might you use?

Hamlet 'Attacks' Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
2.2.240-338
- Q. (Same questions as above)

Explore Language in these Scenes

"Double Entendre"
- This is a trick whereby authors set up words and phrases so that they have two (2) meanings -- a clean one and a bawdy one.

Find possible Double Entendres in 2.2.187-237:


Next, look at 2.2.240-254. There is a series of double entendres in the exchange between Hamlet and R AND G, who claim to live about the waist of Lady Fortune:

- Q. Why might Hamlet be using these words? Does he mean to be bawdy?

More Language

Look at 2.2.298-338 ("Were you not sent for? to "man delights me not." Notice all the language tricks Shakespeare is using. (Metaphors, Similes, Alliteration, parallel construction, etc.)

Is there any place in these scenes when Hamlet stops playing with the other characters and talks straight from the heart? If so, what happens to the language tricks?

"What's Hecuba"

Focus on 2.2.445-574

Shakespeare, like other authors, often refers to people and situations in classical Greek and Roman literature (Classical ALLUSIONS).

- Q. What classical allusions may be found in this passage?

- Q. What may the reasons be for Hamlet's interest in the relationships between Pyrrhus, Priam, and Heccuba?

HW
Read 2.2.576-634

Lesson 7 - "Gaming, My Lord"

10 MARCH 2014

In Class

TASK 1

WHOLE CLASS   

 Read Aloud 2.1.1-83

Major Punctuation to Major Punctuation.

 INDENTIFY words and phrases that reveal Polonius’s values

       -- What can we conclude about Polonius’ character?

      --  What are some character traits that you can infer from Polonius’s words and behavior in the scene? (Evidence)

TASK 2

Investigate 2.1.84-134 / Small Groups

Based upon your reading of Ophelia reporting to her father that Hamlet, in a disturbed state, visited her.

-  Write a letter one of the other small groups in the room  that address the questions below.

Discussion:

What is Hamlet up to in this scene?  Why is he treating Ophelia this way? Why Ophelia of all people? Does Hamlet love Ophelia? (If not, how does he show this? If yes, what possible reasons could he have for putting on this show for her?

What about Ophelia—does she love Hamlet? What is her reaction to his behavior?

HW

Read 2.2.187-338

Lesson 6 - "I Could a Tale Unfold"

7 March 2014

In Class:
Imagine you had to perform the GHOST SCENE
-- Discussion with actors and audience about the acting choices made for the interpretation. Text used for verification. (Props, Costumes, etc.)

Small Groups:
What information does the Ghost reveal?
What is the significance of this information?

Investigate:
1.5.99-212
- Examine Hamlet's language after he sees the Ghost AND during his conversation with Horatio and Marcellus.
--- What assumptions can we make about Hamlet's state of mind from the words he uses and the way he speaks to his companions at this point?
--- Speculate on why Hamlet decides to put on an "antic disposition."

HW
Read 2.1 AND 2.2.1-186

Hamlet - HW - 3/5/2013

In the scene between P-L-O - you are to look for Polonius's Language Clues
"Give thy thoughts no tongue"
- Look at the "but" constructions -- what is their effect?
- What can we infer about Polonius from his choice of words? What do his words reveal about his beliefs, philosophy, and values?

HAMLET - HW

28 February 2014 (Friday)

Please finish reading ACT I (Scenes 4 & 5)