Hamlet Unit

Individual Assignments

Lit Terms: You must complete a lit term analysis for the following literary techniques: soliloquy, aside, and foil. All of them are in Hamlet.

Reader Responses: You must choose two of the following to answer (150-200 words each):

Act 1: Write a newspaper article for Denmark. You should identify the major events of the act.

Act 2: Write a psychoanalysis of Hamlet to give to the king. If you were Hamlet's therapist, what would you tell King Claudius about how his nephew is acting?

Act 3: Write a break up letter to Ophelia from Hamlet. Perhaps you might want to explain yourself somewhat and why you've been acting the way you have.

Act 4: As Hamlet, write a letter of apology to Laertes, explaining yourself and your role in his loss.

Act 5: Eulogy. As if you are Horatio, write a eulogy about Hamlet. Remember, you are the only one who knows the truth, so now is the time to tell the story.

The Bard

This week we will begin our study of Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet. It would be helpful for you if you were to look up Shakespeare, do a little research, and discover for yourself who the bard is. What is probably more useful, however, is a link to a study guide. This link provides you with a line-by-line translation of the play. I will also provide you with this link, which will help you and your group to decipher the acts and scenes for your presentations.

Reading Shakespeare is no easy task. But his ability to create characters and situations that really explore the hardships of the human experience is unparalleled.

Check back here often to see what new Shakespeare updates we have.