Hamlet “Gaming, My

Lord”AP English – Dec. 4, 2013

Hamlet - Act One Free Response Essay

OIn a well-written essay, discuss how the use of language, particularly diction and imagery, helps to align the reader with Hamlet and the Ghost in their contempt for Claudius and the Queen. (40 minutes)

Spies and Informants – Scenes covered in today’s lesson

O 2.1.1-83 Polonius sends Reynaldo to Paris to spy on Laertes.

O 2.1.84-134 Ophelia reports to her father that Hamlet, in a disturbed state, visited her.

Pantomime: Playing the newly mad Hamlet

O 2.1.84-134O Get into groups of three. Two

students will pantomime the action while one reads.

Quick WriteO What is Hamlet up to in this scene?O Why is he treating Ophelia this way?O Why Ophelia, of all people?O Does Hamlet love Ophelia? If not, how

does he show this? If yes, what possible reasons could he have for putting on this show for her?

O What about Ophelia – does she love Hamlet? What is her reaction to his behavior?

Words, Words, WordsO 2.2.187-237 Polonius tries to draw

out Hamlet about Ophelia. O 2.2.240-338 Hamlet meets

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, whom he exposes as spies from Claudius.

O 2.2.445-574 Hamlet entices the players to do a small scene.

Group Performances1. Hamlet Attacks Polonius

2. Hamlet Attacks

Rosencrantz and

GuildensternO Performance

Group #2O Why did you

make those acting choices?

O What would the set look like?

O Performance Group #3

O Why did you make those acting choices?

O What would the set look like?

Double EntendreOA trick authors use when they set up

words or phrases so that they have two meanings – a clean one and a bawdy one.

OLook at 2.2.187-237OLook at 2.2.240-254OWhy might Hamlet be using these

words? Does he mean to be bawdy?

Exploring the use of language

PunsOTwo levels of meaning, but it’s not

required that one of the levels of meaning have a sexual connotation.

OLook at: 2.2.187-237

Exploring the use of language

Language TricksOLook at 2.2.295-338 with a partner.OTry to find all of the tricks that

Shakespeare uses, including: metaphors, similes. Alliteration, anastrophe (reversals), parallel construction, etc.

O Is there any place in these scenes when Hamlet stops playing with Polonius or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and talks straight from the heart? If so, what happens to the language tricks?

Classical AllusionsO 2.2.445-574O Shakespeare often refers to people

and situations in classical Greek and Roman literature.

O Can you identify any?

Homework ReviewO What emotions did you identify in

the “O What a Rogue” speech? How did you paraphrase it?

O Comparing Films….

Piercing QuestionsAnswer the following questions on a separate sheet of

paper.O It is obvious to the audience or reader that Hamlet is alone

onstage. What else, then, could he mean when he begins, “Now I am alone”?

O Why is the Prince calling himself a “rogue” and a “peasant slave”?

O Hamlet compares himself to the player. What does this comparison reveal about Hamlet’s self-perception?

O Throughout Hamlet, much violence is done to ears. How does Hamlet’s “cleave the general ear” relate to other “ear” references? Shakespeare uses the word ear 27 times in this play. Do any of these resonate with you?

O Hamlet uses a lot of theatrical terminology in his speech. Find some examples (“cue,” “stage,” “play”). Why might Hamlet be thinking in theatrical terms?

O Find lines or phrases that explain why Hamlet thinks himself a coward. Do you think he is a coward. Do you think he is a coward, or is he acting cautiously by looking for external evidence to prove Claudius’s guilt?

HomeworkO Re-read and annotate the “To Be or

Not To Be” speech.O Study for another Literary term quiz. O Bring your coat to class.