Introduction to Hamlet The Melancholy Prince

Simpson’s Version of Hamlet =VCW_ng1GEG4 =VCW_ng1GEG4

Enjoying Hamlet: historical background

The Tragedy of Hamlet What matters most at the end of an important tragedy is not success or failure, but what a man is. What matters most at the end of an important tragedy is not success or failure, but what a man is. Tragedy moves into the realm of the human spirit and at the end we contemplate the nature of man. Tragedy moves into the realm of the human spirit and at the end we contemplate the nature of man.

Tragedy of Hamlet Horror and grief are used as entertainment. Horror and grief are used as entertainment. Tragedy uses them as truth. Tragedy uses them as truth. We must face them and as we face them, they lose their terror and the tragedy passes beyond them. We must face them and as we face them, they lose their terror and the tragedy passes beyond them.

Tragedy of Hamlet “It is not surprising, then, that the greatest tragedies are those involving the greatest horrors, for facing a great horror demands greatness of spirit.” “It is not surprising, then, that the greatest tragedies are those involving the greatest horrors, for facing a great horror demands greatness of spirit.”

Tragedy of Hamlet At the close of the tragedy we are not so much concerned with Hamlet or Othello as individuals as with the spirit of man triumphant in defeat. At the close of the tragedy we are not so much concerned with Hamlet or Othello as individuals as with the spirit of man triumphant in defeat. (Introduction, Hamlet, p. xxiv) (Introduction, Hamlet, p. xxiv)

Hamlet Is Shakespeare’s best known and most popular play. Is Shakespeare’s best known and most popular play.

English Renaissance -occurred during the reign of Elizabeth I ( ) -occurred during the reign of Elizabeth I ( ) And the early part of James I ( ) And the early part of James I ( ) Renaissance means “rebirth” Renaissance means “rebirth” A renewed interest in “classical” values A renewed interest in “classical” values People moved away from ‘God” centred society to a more ‘human’ centred (humanistic) society, where earthly pursuits were considered important for their own sake. People moved away from ‘God” centred society to a more ‘human’ centred (humanistic) society, where earthly pursuits were considered important for their own sake.

Denmark In the play, pictured as both In the play, pictured as both A martial and imperial nation A martial and imperial nation Today, Denmark is a peaceful, civilized little state that minds its own business Today, Denmark is a peaceful, civilized little state that minds its own business It doesn’t annoy its neighbours It doesn’t annoy its neighbours It is largely stable, healthy, and pacific It is largely stable, healthy, and pacific

In Shakespeare’s time Hamlet was written in 1600 or 1601 Hamlet was written in 1600 or 1601 King Christian IV was king ( ). King Christian IV was king ( ). It was still an imperial nation It was still an imperial nation

Comparisons can be made While Hamlet the play contains not one real historical character or event, comparisons can still be made with actual events in the 11 th century While Hamlet the play contains not one real historical character or event, comparisons can still be made with actual events in the 11 th century

Setting We might set the time of the play Hamlet as We might set the time of the play Hamlet as Kronborg Castle in Elsinore Kronborg Castle in Elsinore The castle still stands and Shakespeare’s play has made it world-famous The castle still stands and Shakespeare’s play has made it world-famous In fact, Hamlet is played in its courtyard occasionally. In fact, Hamlet is played in its courtyard occasionally.

Kronborg Castle

Topics in Hamlet Death/dead bodies Death/dead bodies murder murder Suicide Suicide Disease Disease Graves Graves adultery adultery Incest Incest Sex Sex Madness Madness Spying/mystery/intrigue Spying/mystery/intrigue Deception/betrayal Deception/betrayal

Enjoying Hamlet Examines “the stupidity, falsity and sham of everyday life” without laughing and without easy answers. Examines “the stupidity, falsity and sham of everyday life” without laughing and without easy answers. Appearance vs reality Appearance vs reality Hamlet’s genuineness, thoughtfulness, and sincerity make him special Hamlet’s genuineness, thoughtfulness, and sincerity make him special

Hamlet is no saint But unlike most of the other characters in the play (and most people today), Hamlet chooses not to compromise with evil. But unlike most of the other characters in the play (and most people today), Hamlet chooses not to compromise with evil.

Dying, Hamlet reaffirms the tragic dignity of a basically decent person in a bad world. Hamlet reaffirms the tragic dignity of a basically decent person in a bad world.

Life “Hamlet” is the first work of literature to show “Hamlet” is the first work of literature to show an ordinary person looking at the futility and wrongs in life, an ordinary person looking at the futility and wrongs in life, asking the toughest questions and asking the toughest questions and coming up with honest semi- answers like most people in an imperfect world. coming up with honest semi- answers like most people in an imperfect world.

While reading Hamlet Watch how Hamlet—who starts by wishing he was dead— Watch how Hamlet—who starts by wishing he was dead— comes to terms with life, keeps his integrity, and strikes back successfully at what’s wrong around him. comes to terms with life, keeps his integrity, and strikes back successfully at what’s wrong around him.

Exit Ticket What three things did you learn from the introductory PowerPoint about Hamlet? What three things did you learn from the introductory PowerPoint about Hamlet? What two things were interesting that you found out about Hamlet? What two things were interesting that you found out about Hamlet? What one question do you have about Hamlet? What one question do you have about Hamlet?