2017 Unit 1Literature

Outcome 1- Approaches to Literature

Hamlet by WilliamShakespeare

Guidelines

Outcome 1

Students will read and analyse Shakespeare’s Hamlet and various critical papers/essays relating to TWO theoretical (Lens) perspectives. They will choose ONE of the distributed topics and prepare a page of notes to assist them to write the SAC – which will be completed under timed test conditions. For the SAC (assessment task), they will create a literary discussion (essay) that shows their understanding of the text and their ability to analyse using TWO theoretical perspectives. They will reference the papers in their discussion.

Timeline for completion

Week 8 – Term 1 / Term Break / Week 1- Term 2
Literary perspectives essay topics will be distributed and students will research or study provided articles/essays.
Students can complete a practice SAC Week 9 to seek feedback. / Prepare notes sheet and annotate the literary articles/papers.
Students can submit a practice SAC for feedback. / Literary analysis essay through TWO theoretical lenses completed under timed/test conditions.

Word Limit

  • 1000 -1200 words.
  • This word limit will be strictly enforced. Responses that significantly exceed the word limit are not considered to demonstrate “sophisticated control” (see marking criteria).

Allowable Materials

  • Pens, pencils, highlighters
  • 1 A4 double-sided handwritten plan. This sheet should contain notes, largely in dot-point form. It should contain information you need and a brief plan for your piece– no full paragraphs or completed drafts are permitted.
  • Published reviews with accompanying annotations (maximum of 2)
  • The SAC criteria sheet

Absences

  • Students who miss any class time during the SAC period due to illness must provide a medical certificate (immediately upon returning to school) in order for time in lieu to be arranged.

Assessment of SAC

  • There are 50 possible marks for this SAC. Use the marking rubric provided to ensure your responses demonstrate the key knowledge and skills of this Outcome.

Year 11 Literature teachers

Hamlet Theoretical perspectives essay topics

1)Hamlet is a portrait of the human condition. Discuss this statement using both ‘liberal-humanist’ and ‘psychoanalytical’ lenses.

2)There is no room for the heroic or strong woman in ‘Hamlet’, this play is antifeminist. Discuss this statement using the ‘feminist’ and ‘psychoanalytical’ lenses.

3)Does Hamlet reflect a tragic patriarchy, one that endorses misogynistic messages? Analyse this question using the ‘feminist’ and ‘liberal-humanist’ or ‘psychoanalytical’ lenses.

4)There are very few characters in ‘Hamlet’ who could be considered revolutionaries (having views that correlate to Marxism) and challenge the monarchy. Develop an analytical essay that uses ‘Marxist’ and ‘liberal-humanist’ lenses.

5)“So, oft it chances in particular men,
That for some vicious mole of nature in them,
As, in their birth--wherein they are not guilty,
Since nature cannot choose his origin”

Is there evidence in ‘Hamlet’ that clearly shows that he is a homosexual? Develop an analytical essay using the ‘LGBTI’ and ‘psychoanalytical’ lenses.