Subject to Authority: Hamlet, The Prince, Resistance to Civil Government
Unit Introduction
Greetings Friends,
Today we begin a unit on “authority,” in which we will study three texts. The main focus of the unit will be William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, an exhaustive, probing study of the modern humankind in the form of a revenge tragedy set in the prison known as Denmark. Many of the questions which Hamlet presents to us will serve as a guide for our study of two political essays/treatises: Machiavelli’s The Prince and Henry David Thoreau’s Resistance to Civil Government, or Civil Disobedience.
The purpose of reading these three texts together is to encourage creative answers to complex questions. What is the relationship between human nature and authority? What is the relationship between divine authority and human authority? What is the role of the individual in relation to these two types of authority? These are just some of the questions we will trace through our examination of these three texts.
Required Texts: Hamlet, The Prince, and Civil Disobedience
Unit outline (subject to change)
1. The Prince
2. Civil Disobedience
3. Hamlet, Acts 1-2
4. Hamlet, Acts 3-4
5. Hamlet, Act 5
6. Essay Workshop
Grade requirements for this unit will be as follows: reading quizzes, 1 public speaking engagement, 1 group presentation, 1 discussion paper, 1 passage analysis, and participation (totaling 200 pts), choice of 4 short essays (1 page max each, choice, 200 pts)
Essay Topics (complete 4 total)
The Prince Essays (choose 1):
1. Discuss Machiavelli on the relationship between the political leader and the citizen. What is the nature of each? What is the responsibility of each in relation to the other? Support with quotes from the texts, interpret them in support of your argument, and cite them properly. You also may wish to demonstrate the similarities and differences by proposing a hypothetical political scenario or issue and discuss how each side would act.
2. Discuss Machiavelli’s views regarding free will. To what extent can historical events be shaped by individuals, and to what extent are such events the consequence of fortune and circumstance? Give examples to illustrate your reading.
Civil Disobedience Essays (choose 1):
1. Thoreau believes that people should not participate in injustice but that they do not have to actively promote a more just world. What is the difference between these two concepts, and why does Thoreau make this moral distinction? Evaluate his position, providing examples.
2. Thoreau asks rhetorically, "Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator?" How would you answer this question? Is compromise on moral issues a necessary part of living with other people?
Hamlet Essays (choose 1):
1. Argue for Hamlet's sanity or insanity, supporting with key pieces of evidence and interpreting them in order to prove your case. You must also acknowledge how the opposing view would interpret that piece of evidence, and then explain why your interpretation is superior. You must use quotes from the play as your pieces of evidence, and site them properly in your essay.
2. Does Hamlet “delay” his revenge? If so, why? If not, why? Support with quotes from the text, interpret them in support of your argument, and cite them properly.
3. How does Hamlet change over the course of the play? Support with quotes from the text, interpret them in support of your argument, and cite them properly. Is Hamlet an admirable hero, why or why not?
4. Compare and contrast two characters in the play. For example: Hamlet and Laertes, Ophelia and Gertrude, Polonius and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern”, or any two main characters you wish. Tell how they are similar, how they are different, and why these similarities and differences are important to the play. Support with quotes from the text, interpret them in support of your argument, and cite them properly.
Texts in Conversation Essays (choose 1):
1. Discuss Machiavelli’s qualities for a successful Prince. How do both Hamlet and Claudius meet or fall short of these qualities? Which one would make the better Prince? Be sure to consider the theme of “appearances and reality” in both texts, citing specific examples.
2. Discuss Machiavelli on the relationship between Fortune/Providence and human action/free will. Compare and contrast this with Hamlet’s attitude concerning the complexity of action and Divine Providence in the play. Cite at least three concrete examples from the play to support your argument.
3. Compare and contrast Hamlet and Thoreau on the issue of conscience. What role does conscience play in forming human action?
4. You may create your own essay question. The only requirements are that 1) you do not simply re-hash a previous; and 2) you discuss at least 2 of our three texts on your chosen topic.
Hamlet Passage Recitation Dainty
Options and Dates
You are to choose one passage to memorize and recite before the class. You may choose to work with a partner(s) and recite a passage that specifies two or more people. If choosing the partner option, the lines must be divided evenly among the partners, and each must deliver no fewer than 10 lines (see me concerning prose passages). Assignment is worth 30 quiz points and you will be graded not only on how precisely you render the text, but also on interpretation and delivery (in other words, you have to perform the passage). You must sign up for a passage and date by TBA.
1st recitation: TBD
Page 9: “Seems Madam…”
Page 10-11: “O that this too too sullied flesh…” (3 people)
Page 17: “Yet here Laertes…” (2 people)
Page 23: “I am thy father’s spirit…”
Page 25: “ O, all you host of heaven…” (2 people)
Page 28: “And therefore…”
Page 32: “He took me by the wrist…”
Page 41: “I will tell you why…” (2 people)
Page 49: “O what a rogue and peasant slave…” (4 people)
2nd recitation: TBD
Page 53: “To be or not to be…” (3 people)
Page 55: “O what a noble mind…”
Page 62: “So many journeys…”
Page 68: “’Tis now the very witching hour…”
Page 69-70: “My offense is rank…” (3 people)
Page 70-71: “Now might I do it pat…” (2 people)
Page 77: “Not this, by no means…”
3rd recitation: TBD
Page 83: “And England…”
Page 85: “How all occasions…” (3 people)
Page 95: “O, for two special reasons…”
Page 98: “Not that I think…”
Page 99: “Let’s think further…”
Page 106: “Alas, poor Yorick…”
Page 109 and page 116: “Sir, in my heart…” and “Not a whit…”
Hamlet Study Guide
1.1
1. At the very beginning of the play, Bernardo comes to relieve Francisco from his guard shift. What is the significance of this scene? In other words, why begin with this scene? What does it reveal about Denmark?
2. What do Horatio and Marcellus plan to do at the end of Scene 1?
1.2
1. What 4 topics does Claudius discuss in his first speech at the beginning of Scene 2?
2. What does Laertes ask Claudius?
3. Describe the argument between Hamlet and Gertrude: What does she tell Hamlet to do? What does she then ask him? How does he respond? Why does he respond this way?
4. What does Hamlet mean when he tells Horatio that he thinks he sees his father “in [his] mind’s eye”?
5. What does Hamlet plan to do after Horatio tells him about the sighting of his father’s ghost?
1.3
1. What advice does Laertes give to Ophelia before leaving for France?
2. How does Ophelia respond to Laertes’ advice? How does she challenge him in return?
3. What advice does Polonius then give to Ophelia? What does he tell her to do?
1.4
1. What is Horatio afraid the ghost might do to Hamlet?
1.5
1. What does the ghost tell Hamlet?
2. What “one poor request” does Hamlet make Horatio and Marcellus swear by his sword?
3. What does Hamlet ask of Horatio in 1.5:174-189?
2.1
1. Who is Polonius sending Reynaldo to visit?
2. What frightening experience does Ophelia describe to Polonius?
3. How does Polonius react to this information?
2.2
1. At the very beginning of 2.2, what does the King ask of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
2. In 2.2:60-80, what does Voltimand say has been done in response to King Claudius' letter to the King of Norway?
3. How does Claudius respond to what has been asked of him by Norway?
4. What does Polonius think is the cause of Hamlet's insanity?
5. What plan does Polonius come up with to test his theory?
6. Why do you think Hamlet behaves the way he does towards Polonius?
7. How does Hamlet act towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
8. What does Hamlet ask the players (or actors) to do for him?
3.1
1. Who listens while Ophelia is sent to talk to Hamlet?
2. Describe Ophelia and Hamlet’s conversation, giving at least two quotes spoken by each person and an explanation of what those quotes mean and what they reveal about the entire conversation.
3. How do the “spies” react to the conversation they overhear? Do they think Hamlet’s madness was indeed caused by neglected love? What do they say?
3.2
1. What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do during the play?
2. How does Hamlet act towards Ophelia just before the play begins?
3. What do the players enact? How does Claudius react to this? What does Hamlet conclude?
3.3
1. What is the King concerned about at the beginning of 3.3? What does he plan to do to solve his “problem”?
2. Who plans to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude when Hamlet goes to speak to his mother?
3. In 3.3:36-72, what does Claudius do and say? What does it reveal to the audience?
3.4
1. Who does Hamlet kill while in his mother’s room? How does this murder occur?
2. What is Hamlet’s goal in talking to his mother? In other words, what does he want to accomplish?
3. Who unexpectedly interrupts Hamlet’s conversation with his mother after the murder has already occurred? How does the Queen react to this interruption?
4. How do you explain the different reactions from Hamlet and the Queen to the unexpected interrupter?
5. What instructions does Hamlet leave Gertrude with?
6. What does Hamlet reveal to Gertrude about Claudius’ plans for Hamlet and Hamlet’s plans to thwart them?
4.1
1. What does Gertrude tell Claudius about Hamlet
4.2
1. What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet? How does he respond? What does his answer mean?
4.3
1. What does Claudius say about Hamlet at the beginning of 4.3?
2. When Hamlet appears on the scene, what does he tell Claudius about the body?
3. Where does Claudius tell Hamlet he must go? Why does Claudius claim he is sending Hamlet there? What is Claudius’ real reason for sending Hamlet?
4.4
1. Who does Hamlet encounter at the beginning of 4.4? What does the captain reveal to Hamlet?
4.5
1. Describe what Ophelia does and how she acts from the beginning of 4.5 to 4.5:74. Does there seem to be any method in her madness? What does she do or say that may have an explanation? Explain.
2. What does the King think is wrong with Ophelia (4.5:75-97)?
3. Describe what Laertes does when he arrives on the scene (4.5:115-157)?
4.6
1. What does Hamlet say in his letter to Horatio?
4.7
1. After Claudius receives a letter telling of Hamlet’s return to Denmark, what plan do Claudius and Laertes agree to enact so that Laertes can revenge his father’s death? (4.7:128-164)
5.1
1. Describe how Hamlet reacts to Ophelia’s funeral. How does he act toward Laertes? What does this reveal about Hamlet’s feelings for Ophelia (do you think he truly loved her, or not?)
5.2
1. What is Hamlet’s explanation to Horatio about how he got back to Denmark? (5.2:12-55)
2. What does Hamlet say in his apology to Laertes? How does he explain his actions? Why should Laertes forgive Hamlet according to Hamlet? Give two quotes and explain them. (5.2:224-241)
3. What is Laertes response to Hamlet’s offer of apology and request for forgiveness? (5.2:242-250)
4. Describe how everyone dies. (You need to know the details of all the deaths in this scene)
5. What is the significance of Fortinbras finally showing up at the end of the play? Answer this question as specifically as possible, with as much detail as you can.
Resistance to Civil Government by Henry David Thoreau
Study Questions
Part 1: The nature of government and of the individual
1. What distinction does Thoreau make between the US Government and the American people? (1-2)
2. With what does Thoreau say the individual should serve the state? (2-3)
3. What does Thoreau mean by the rule of expediency? What does this indicate about his views on the majority rules government versus the individual’s conscience? (1, 4-5)
4. What is Thoreau’s attitude toward voting? What does he advocate instead? (5)
5. What is a “man” (a person) according to Thoreau? What, according to him, is the nature of civil government? (3-6)
Part 2: Combating Injustice
1. What options does Thoreau present the individual when confronted with unjust laws? Which of these options does he say is most preferable?
2. What does Thoreau mean by a “majority of one”?
3. What does Thoreau say would be the abolition of slavery in America? What does he mean by this?