Hamlet

To be, or not to be: that is the question. Hamlet
Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry Polonius
This above all: to thine own self be true Polonius
Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t Polonius
What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals! Hamlet
The lady doth protest too much, methinks Gertrude
A little more than kin, and less than kind Hamlet
The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king Hamlet
And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man Polonius
Brevity is the soul of wit Polonius
Doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt I love Polonius-reading Hamlets love letter to Ophelia
Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe Hamlet to Guildenstern
I will speak daggers to her, but use none Hamlet
When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions Claudius
Internal Conflict of Hamlet 1. Whether to live or commit suicide2. feelings about Ophelia and his mother Gertrude3. death of his father4. Future of Denmark (possible war w/ Norway)
External Conflict 1. Laertes, Polonius, Claudius vs. Hamlet2. Gertrude Vs. Hamlet “Frailty thy name is woman!”
Claudius internal conflict Will I be found out as the king’s killer?
Hamlet Internal Conflict: 1. Should I kill Claudius as revenge?2. Should I live? should I die?
Hamlet’s emotions jealousy, anger, sadness, betrayal, frustration, depression and confusion
What is a Tragedy? A medieval narrative poem or tale typically describing the downfall of a great person
Who developed the idea of a tragedy and tragic hero? Aristotle
List the things needed to qualify as a tragic hero: 1. superior birth2. flaw3. supernatural element4. tragic realization
List the things needed to qualify as a tragedy: 1. tragic hero2. tragic flaw3. Reversal of fortune4. Restoration of Social Order5. Supernatural Element
Reversal of Fortune: Hero comes down from elevated status
Another term for Restoration of Social Order Denouement-it’s French
Catharsis (meaning): means to purge
Catharsis in Literature: the audience is purging of emotion through pity and fear.
Examples of a tragic flaw: anger, greed, obsession, mistrust and hesitation
Monologue Long speech by one person
Sololiquy Alone on stage speaking to crowd-speech
Existential dilemma of Hamlet: “to be or not to be”
Appearance vs. Reality: 1. Is Hamlet really crazy?2. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern just hanging out w/ Hamlet for fun?3. Who’s behind the Tapestry?
Oedipus Complex in Hamlet: Hamlet and his mom.Laertes and Ophelia
Who’s Yorick King Hamlet’s Jester: (king hamlet is hamlet’s dad)
Symbol: Yorick’s Skull: example of a happier time in Hamlet’s life—emphasizes the darkness now. Also shows how death is a great equalizer. Compares Yorick w/ Alexander the Great
Foil Characters Horatio, Fortinbras and Laertes
Foil character: Horatio Skeptic, scholar. Hamlet’s trusted friend. His job is to tell Hamlet’s story. (Hamlet asks him right before he dies at the end of the play)
Foil Character: Fortinbras Father dies too, acts right away and doesn’t think or hesitate beforehand.
Foil Character: Laertes: lost father and sister. He and Hamlet both care about Ophelia. * Hamlet cares about killing and abstains in the beginning but Laertes doesn’t care, even if it’s in a church. Acts immediately. -He is also passionate and quick to action, Laertes is a foil for the reflective and agonized Hamlet.
Foil Character : define: character who contrasts w/ another character in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character
Film Versions of Hamlet: 1.) 19902.) Jude Law3.) Mel Gibson4.) David Tenant (BBC)
Film Version of Hamlet: BBC David Tenant: Setting: 1. Dungeon, camera couldn’t see the ghost but the guards could. 2. Modern Day3.Anachronism: when something is taken out of it’s context time wise.
Film Version of Hamlet: BBC: Mood: Thriller, fear and foreboding.
Character:Fortinbras: define: *Also Foil character. King of Norway after father is killed. Get’s throne of Denmark after Claudius dies.
Character: Voltimand and Cornelius: Ambassadors to Norway, gives advice on how to deal with Fortinbras
Character: Osric: tell’s Hamlet that Laertes would like to fight/dual him
Reynaldo: Polonius’ assistant
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: childhood friend’s of hamlet. Betray Hamlet and spy on him for Gertrude and Claudius.
Laertes: brother to Ophelia and son to Polonius.
Ophelia: fragile girl, in love with Hamlet. Very obedient to father. Goes crazy. Maybe pregnant.
Horatio: Character: define: Student and friend of Hamlet in Wittenberg.