Do Now: In Hamlet’s famous first line, “A little more than kin, a little less than kind,” can you explain how Hamlet plays with language? HW : Read Act 1, Scenes 3 & 4. What do Polonius, Laertes and Ophelia add to the characterization of Hamlet? NOTE: Exam on Act I next Tuesday, November 26.

  Shakespeare is rumored to have played the ghost of Hamlet’s father.  What does the early introduction of the ghost set up for the play?  Political conflict – Young Fortinbras may want to regain lost lands. In addition, it begins to question the stability of the new monarch. Young Hamlet is mentioned, but at the beginning of 1.2, we see that Denmark is now ruled by King Claudius…  Foreshadow – something is rotten in the state of Denmark. The use of the supernatural indicates an omen.  A product of his time – the anxiety over the transition of the throne was something Shakespeare and his contemporaries were experiencing with Queen Elizabeth. The concept of the legitimacy of the throne is an idea we see repeated throughout Shakespeare’s work during this period. (1600, 1601) [Enter Ghost ]

  Opposites are examples of a language device that recurs through the play.  It is the use of ‘and’ to achieve a ‘doubling effect: tremble and looks pale,’ sensible and true avouch,’ ‘gross and scope,’ ‘strict and most observant.’  The technical term for this use of doubling is hendiadys.  What is the purpose of this use of doubling or hendiadys?  Dramatic effect  Length and delay Doubling

  Prince of Denmark  Around 30 years old  Has been away studying  Son of Gertrude and late King Hamlet  Nephew of new king, Claudius  Melancholy Hamlet – Prince of Denmark

  How does Claudius bypass Hamlet to become king? Is his throne legitimate?  How does Claudius use the political conflict with Norway to his advantage?  How does Claudius characterize Hamlet’s display of grief? What does this show about Claudius? King Claudius – honest or devious?

 This is the first of seven soliloquies that Hamlet gives. This first speech sets up important recurring themes in the play – the notion of death and and the existential question of why do we bother? 3 Point Progression:  “O that this too too solid flesh would melt,”  What is Hamlet asking for? What can’t he be granted his request?  “How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!”  Aside of from his father’s death, what else has made Hamlet to question the world?  “Let me not think on’t! Frailty, thy name is woman!” Hamlet’s 1 st Soliloquy

  “Seems madam? Nay it is, I know not seems.”  Hamlet seizes on Gertrude’s ‘seems’ and insists that he is genuinely grief-stricken over the death of his father.  “Thrift, thrift, Horatio. The funeral baked meats Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.”  Hamlet bitterly remarks, more than once, that his mother’s marriage to his uncle came in haste – under 2 months, in fact. Hamlet’s Mommy Issues

  Hamlet – grief-stricken son of the late king  King Claudius – new King and Hamlet’s uncle  Queen Gertrude – Hamlet’s mother and King Claudius’ new wife  Horatio – friend of Hamlet, has seen the ghost of Hamlet’s father Recap: Who have we met? (… we’ll get to Polonius and Laertes in 1.3)

  YouTube – This is Hamlet 1.2