Our Hero Hamlet
The Other Guys
Crazy About Characterization
What Makes a Human?
Duh, It's A Figure of Speech
100
What is the primary conflict/challenge that Hamlet finds himself faced with in these first 2 acts of the play?
Intense grief over the death of his father. An almost maddening desire to find the culprit responsible for murdering his father and taking swift revenge.
100
Who are Hamlet's most trusted confidants in the play thus far?
Horatio and Marcellus
100
What does STEAL stand for and what is its purpose?
STEAL= Speech, Thoughts, Effect on Others, Actions, Looks Purpose= To analyze an author's use of indirect characterization in developing their characters.
100
What is Shakespeare referring to when he mentions "The Fall"?
The story of Adam and Eve, in which Eve is tempted by the snake to eat the apple, which ultimately causes Adam and herself to be ejected from Eden.
100
"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get!"
Simile
200
What news does Horatio bring Hamlet?
News that he has seen the ghost of Hamlet's deceased father wandering the gates of the palace.
200
Hamlet swears Horatio to two things-- what are they?
That he will never mention seeing the ghost of King Hamlet and that he will never let on that Hamlet may simply be "acting" crazy rather than actually being crazy.
200
What is the difference between direct and indirect characterization?
Direct= Author overtly and directly tells you about some aspect of the character's personality and/or identity Indirect= Author reveals/shows audience what a character in like through their speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions and/or looks
200
Shakespeare compares 2 characters from his play to characters from the fall-- what comparisons does he make and why?
--Compares Claudius to the snake because he is sneaky, evil, and an enemy to Hamlet. --Compares Gertrude to the fallen Eve-- who sacrificed paradise and eternal happiness to taste forbidden fruit.
200
"Life is a long road with many uncertain twists and turns. Sometimes the road is smooth, other times it's bumpy."
Metaphor
300
Why does Polonius think Hamlet is "mad"?
Because he believes that Hamlet is madly, obsessively in love with Ophelia.
300
What is Laertes' advice to Ophelia?
"Do not surrender your treasure chest to his [Hamlet's] greedy hands."
300
What is a character foil?
In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. A foil usually either differs drastically or is extremely similar but with a key difference setting them apart.
300
Define the Human Condition
It can be described as the unalterable part of humanity that is inherent and innate to human beings and not dependent on factors such as gender, race, culture, or class. It includes concerns such as the meaning of life, the search for gratification, the sense of curiosity, the inevitability of isolation, or the perception of inescapable death.
300
"This class is so boring, I'm going to blow my brains out!"
Hyperbole
400
What "arrangement" does Hamlet make with Player 1?
He arranges to have the group act out a dramatic rendition of how Claudius murdered King Hamlet, in an attempt to have him confess to committing the murder.
400
Describe Polonius' character, citing a minimum of 3 reasons/examples for why you described him as you did.
--Nosy (Intrudes in Ophelia's love life, sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes in Paris). --Sneaky (Plans a scheme to uncover Hamlet & Ophelia's relationship). --Self-Involved (Conversations always come back to him in some way..)
400
Throughout Act 1, Hamlet is directly characterized as being depressed by the other characters in the play-- in what way do his actions support this assessment of his character (provide a minimum of 3 examples).
--Wears all black --Overtly states that he no longer values his life --Sullen behavior, down/depressed, no desire to be merry or cheerful --Speaks ill of those around him, particularly Claudius and Gertrude
400
Define Moral Relativism
Moral: Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character. Relativism: The idea or belief that knowledge, truth exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.
400
"She got straight up Lindsay Lohan-ed-- her mom is sending her to rehab."
Antonomasia
500
Select another character from within the play and briefly discuss the ways in which they are a foil to Hamlet.
Answers Vary
500
What biblical story is Claudius' relationship with King Hamlet and illusion to and why?
Cain and Able because they are brothers-- one of whom murdered the other because he was jealous of him and his abilities.
500
Name 2 characters (excluding Hamlet) that are foils of one another in Hamlet and explain how/why they are foils.
Answers May Vary
500
Name 3 themes that deal with the concept of moral relativism in Hamlet.
What should parent/child relationships consist of? What roles should each of these parties play in the relationship? Is revenge appropriate, and if so under what circumstances? Is murder appropriate, and if so under what circumstances? Is suicide an acceptable act, and if so under what circumstances? Is lying an acceptable act? Is adultery an acceptable act?
500
"I won't do it, I won't do it, I WON'T DO IT!!"
Anaphora
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