Hamlet and the Revenger’s Tragedy

WJEC 2011

Active Reading techniques

Hamlet and The Revenger’s Tragedy

• 8. Analyse Shakespeare’s presentation of female weakness in Hamlet and show how far your appreciation and understanding of this theme have been informed by your reading of The Revenger’s Tragedy.

Or,• 9. Explore Shakespeare’s treatment of moral

responsibility in Hamlet in the light of your reading of The Revenger’s Tragedy.

• AO1: A structured, cross referenced essay that uses appropriate terminology.(10)

• AO2: The ability to use relevant ‘short’ integrated quotes and accurate paraphrase of dramatic action while answering a question on any given theme, character or action.(10)

• AO3i: The ability to make connections with The Revenger’s Tragedy(5)

• AO3ii: The ability to draw on critical opinions while shaping your own argument (5)

• AO4: To bring in social ,religious, historical, literary and political influences at work on Shakespeare and his audience at the time of composition.(10)

AO1: 10 Marks

AO2: 10 Marks AO3: 10 Marks AO4: 10 Marks

Expression and technical accuracy

Written fluency and accurate use of technical terms when analysing imagery and dramatic devices.

Detailed critical analysis

The ability to identify shape relevant

material into a coherent argument.

>The ability to make connections between Hamletand the The Revenger's Tragedy

The ability to bring in other critical readings to enhance your own interpretation

Demonstating understanding of the significance of context.

The ability to bring in illuminating connections to Shakespeare or Middleton's life or the literary, religious, cultural, historical, political or social influences at work on Shakespeare at the time.

• Misogyny appears to be a defining trait of Hamlet from our first encounter with the central character. When Shakespeare highlights his ironic repetition of Gertude’s word ‘seems’ it becomes clear that Hamlet is implying that women are superficial, virtuous in outward form only. The sense of Gertrude’s shallowness is further suggested by her impassioned plea for Hamlet to ‘cast off’ his dramatically imposing mourning weeds as if grief could be as easily discarded as clothing. When memorably claiming in Hamlet’s first soliloquy that women’s name is ‘frailty’Shakespeare’s use of personification stereotypes all women as purveyors of shallow , weak willed characteristics creatures all too likely to succumb to the base pleasures of the material and sensual world. Hamlet’s misogynyseems to be a stock generic characteristic of revenger characters. Vindice’s misogyny is well established from the start by his pun on the word ‘quaint’. Gratiano’s willingness to sell her daughter Castiza into sexual servitude mirrors Gertrude’s lack of personal and sexual integrity. There is a strong anti –f eminist tradition in English Literature that stems from the Christian influence and revenge tragedies seem to draw heavily on that. The garden of Eden imagery that permeates the play casts Claudius as the ‘serpent’ and Gertrude as the weak willed Eve who gives into temptation and damns paradise to the fall.

1) Religion- 2) Misogyny-the presentation of Women 3) Typical conventions of revenge tragedy. 4) Obsession with death 5) Corruption and Power. 6) Grotesque and disturbing imagery. 7). Revenge (Wild Justice)8) Honour9) Conscience.10. Madness.

We need to remember 2 Lists.

• 1.Bun• 2.Shoe• 3.Tree• 4. Door• 5. Hive• 6. Sticks• 7. Heaven• 8.Gate• 9. Wine• 10. Hen

• Religion- • 2) Misogyny-the

presentation of Women• 3) Typical conventions of

revenge tragedy.• 4) Obsession with death • 5) Corruption and Power.• 6) Grotesque and

disturbing imagery. • 7). Revenge (Wild Justice)• 8) Honour• 9) Conscience.• 10. Madness.

1.Bun

• 1. Religion.

• Bun on communion plate.

2. Shoe

• Misogyny-the presentation of women.

• Hamlet throwing shoes at Gertude and Ophelia.

3. Tree

• Typical conventions of revenge tragedy.

• One trunk-Seneca-many types of branch-each leaf is a play.

4. Door

• Obsession with death.

• Can’t help sneaking look round door into the crypt.

5.Hive

• Corruption greed and power.

• The court is like a hive, striving,ambition,stings

6. Sticks

• Grotesque and disturbing imagery.

• Sticks as weapons that hurt and frighten.

7. Heaven

• Revenge

• Hamlet and Vindice turned away because they are avengers.

8.Gate

• 8. Honour

• It protects your family home , but you can always find yourself trapped within it.

9. Wine

• 9. Conscience.

• A hangover you can’t shake off. You can’t do anything until you do.

Hen

• Madness

• Hen on a psychiatrist’s couch.