2.  Written in 1600-1601  Based on stories of Prince Amleth, son of the King of the Jutes, who was murdered by his brother  Amlothi – “Crazy Person”  Kills his uncle and becomes “Amleth, King of Denmark”  Sources:  13 th Century Danish historian, Saxo  16 th Century French writer, Belleforest   Translated to English

3.  Disease, Rot, Dust  “Seems,” “Like,” “Appears”  Sun  Fish/Fishing  Death/Dead  Heaven/Hell  Prayer/Faith  Friendship  Acting/Plays  Ear/Hearing  Lies/Deceit  Philosophy, School, Age  Night/Day  Questions  Madness  Intention  Revenge!

4. Characters:  How are Laertes and young Fortibras foils to Hamlet?  What are similarities and differences in their situations and actions?  What does Hamlet feel for Ophelia?  If Hamlet is our tragic hero, what is his tragic flaw?  How is Hamlet different from Macbeth?

5. Family  How does Shakespeare present the relationships between fathers and sons?  Father-figures and sons?  Uncles and nephews?  Mothers and sons?  Brothers and sisters?  What is owed to family?  At what cost?

6. Reality, Morality, and Death  Examine the nature of reality in Hamlet. What is real? How do we know?  How does appearance play into this?  What, in Hamlet, is not as it appears to be? When is this deliberate?  How does theatre relate to reality? What theatrical plays occur in Hamlet ?  What is the place of revenge in a world of Christian morals?  What is owed to the dead? The living?  Is Hamlet Christian?  What is the nature of death according to Hamlet ?  How does Hamlet view death? Suicide?  How is death final? How is it not?  How is death like sleep?