Tuesday—Class discussion of Hamlet

Wednesday—multiple choice, quote identification and explanation, paraphrase—You are allowed to use your notes, but you probably will not need to use them. If you do use them, make sure you do not get so caught up in checking notes that you cannot finish the rest of the test.

Thursday—Essay portion of test—On this day, you may use one page of notes or outline that you have written. You may also use your book. You will turn in the page of notes with your essay. You need to think through your ideas before coming in to take the exam. You have one class period in which to finish the essay.

Your essay should include:

1)an introduction (this can be brief)

2)a thesis/topic sentence

3)quotes/specific examples

4)explanation of how those quotes fit the thesis

5)conclusion

Grades—I will keep in mind that you only have about 50 minutes to write this essay. You need to make sure you prepare enough in advance that you can succeed in 50 minutes. This is good preparation for college-level classes.

You will select ONE essay to write in class. No matter what you select, it should take you at least two pages to answer it fully. You can pick from these choices:

1)Shakespeare creates very different death scenes for his characters. What does he convey about each character through the character’s type of death, death scene and final words?

2) Compare and contrast the situations of Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras. Look at how each one’s father dies and how each one handles it. Use quotes/references. How are Laertes and Fortinbras foils for Hamlet? Ultimately, what do you think was Shakespeare’s purpose in creating these similar stories/foil characters?

3) Multiple times in Acts 4 and 5 Ophelia has flowers, mentions flowers or is associated with flowers. Describe at least 3 of these instances. Be specific. Why would Shakespeare associate her with flowers?

4) Is Hamlet a static character or a dynamic character? Explain this incorporating at least 5 quotes and explaining how the quotes support the thesis. Analyze Shakespeare’s purpose for making Hamlet this type of character.

5) Act 5, scene 1 contains the gravediggers and the skull of Yorick. It also includes Ophelia’s funeral.

a.Describe how death is discussed in this scene. There are several possibililities. Give examples.

b.This scene is also on the cover of some copies of Hamlet. Why do you think many book editors feel this scene is important to the play as a whole?

6)Find 6-8 places where Shakespeare has characters make jokes in the play. Explain the author’s purpose is in using each joke. How does each impact the scene where it appears? What does each quote show about the character(s) involved?

7) Analyze how the soliloquies show Hamlet'sarc of development through the play.

8) Both Hamlet and Claudius have aconscience and both become murderers. Is one

a hero and one a villain, or are we in a moreambiguous realm? Why?

9) In ASF's 2010 production, for time reasons,4.4 is cut. What are the implications of losingthis scene and Hamlet's last soliloquy?

10) Of what is the Queen guilty? Of what is she innocent? Prove your idea with quotes. You also need to address counterpoints. Include other arguments and refute them.

11) Conscience comes up at several points in the play. Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude and Laertes all specifically speak on the topic of their consciences. What do you think is the play’s theme relating to conscience? Prove this theme by including and explaining what at least 3 characters say about conscience.

12) Frederick Beuchner said, “Of the seven deadly sins, [wrath] is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds,to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue theprospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the lasttoothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are givingback--in many ways it is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is thatwhat you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.”

  1. Define wrath.
  2. Explain how this quote applies to at least 3 characters in Hamlet. Make sure that you are specifically connecting the quote to quotes, to characters and to scenes within the play.
  3. Explain how this quote and the play apply to life today.

1st hour

Wednesday—Class discussion of Hamlet

Thursday—multiple choice, quote identification and explanation, paraphrase—You are allowed to use your notes, but you probably will not need to use them. If you do use them, make sure you do not get so caught up in checking notes that you cannot finish the rest of the test.

Friday—Essay portion of test—On this day, you may use one page of notes or outline that you have written. You may also use your book. You will turn in the page of notes with your essay. You need to think through your ideas before coming in to take the exam. You have one class period in which to finish the essay.

Your essay should include:

1)an introduction (this can be brief)

2)a thesis/topic sentence

3)quotes/specific examples

4)explanation of how those quotes fit the thesis

5)conclusion

Grades—I will keep in mind that you only have about 50 minutes to write this essay. You may stay through collaboration time if necessary. You need to make sure you prepare enough in advance that you can succeed in 50 minutes. This is good preparation for college-level classes.

You will select ONE essay to write in class. No matter what you select, it should take you at least two pages to answer it fully. You can pick from these choices:

1)Shakespeare creates very different death scenes for his characters. What does he convey about each character through the character’s type of death, death scene and final words?

2) Compare and contrast the situations of Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras. Look at how each one’s father dies and how each one handles it. Use quotes/references. How are Laertes and Fortinbras foils for Hamlet? Ultimately, what do you think was Shakespeare’s purpose in creating these similar stories/foil characters?

3) Multiple times in Acts 4 and 5 Ophelia has flowers, mentions flowers or is associated with flowers. Describe at least 3 of these instances. Be specific. Why would Shakespeare associate her with flowers?

4) Is Hamlet a static character or a dynamic character? Explain this incorporating at least 5 quotes and explaining how the quotes support the thesis. Analyze Shakespeare’s purpose for making Hamlet this type of character.

5) Act 5, scene 1 contains the gravediggers and the skull of Yorick. It also includes Ophelia’s funeral.

a.Describe how death is discussed in this scene. There are several possibililities. Give examples.

b.This scene is also on the cover of some copies of Hamlet. Why do you think many book editors feel this scene is important to the play as a whole?

6)Find 6-8 places where Shakespeare has characters make jokes in the play. Explain the author’s purpose is in using each joke. How does each impact the scene where it appears? What does each quote show about the character(s) involved?

7) Analyze how the soliloquies show Hamlet'sarc of development through the play.

8) Both Hamlet and Claudius have aconscience and both become murderers. Is one

a hero and one a villain, or are we in a moreambiguous realm? Why?

9) In ASF's 2010 production, for time reasons,4.4 is cut. What are the implications of losingthis scene and Hamlet's last soliloquy?

10) Of what is the Queen guilty? Of what is she innocent? Prove your idea with quotes. You also need to address counterpoints. Include other arguments and refute them.

11) Conscience comes up at several points in the play. Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude and Laertes all specifically speak on the topic of their consciences. What do you think is the play’s theme relating to conscience? Prove this theme by including and explaining what at least 3 characters say about conscience.

12) Frederick Beuchner said, “Of the seven deadly sins, [wrath] is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds,to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue theprospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the lasttoothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are givingback--in many ways it is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is thatwhat you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.”

  1. Define wrath.
  2. Explain how this quote applies to at least 3 characters in Hamlet. Make sure that you are specifically connecting the quote to quotes, to characters and to scenes within the play.
  3. Explain how this quote and the play apply to life today.