1. Hamlet The Prince of Denmark

2. fascinating facts Hamlet--fascinating facts Willies most popular play The longest of Shakespeares plays (when performed in full) This play gets beat up on stage more than his others (because of its length) There are a variety of written versions of the play (Quartos I, II and III and Folio I) You are reading a combination of Quarto II and Folio Istandard practice among Hamlet geeks.

3. More fascinating Hamlet facts Was probably first performed in 1600 by Shakespeare and his theater company (known at this time as Lord Chamberlains Men). A revenge play based on a story well known to Elizabethan audiences. Loosely based on a 12 th century historical document called Historia Danica by a guy named Saxo Grammaticus. When someone got a call for him Im sure they yelled, Saxophone! Hamlet was first printed in 1602, which was no big deal because it is only six letters.

4. Still more Hamlet The famous actor (and W.S.s partner) Richard Burbage was the first well known Hamlet. Willie himself played the ghost of Hamlets papa. Shakespeare had a son named Hamnet who died very young, but there seems to be no clear connection between the dead kid and the living drama.

5. Hamletthe fun never ends As you will discover, there has been a ton of criticism written about Hamlet. If any piece of literature in English has been examined more closely, Im surprised. http://webpac.library.unlv.edu/search~S1/? searchtype=X&searcharg=hamlet+criticis m&searchscope=1&SORT=D&extended= 1&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&search origarg=dhamlet+criticism http://webpac.library.unlv.edu/search~S1/? searchtype=X&searcharg=hamlet+criticis m&searchscope=1&SORT=D&extended= 1&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&search origarg=dhamlet+criticism

6. Hamlet Ii For tomorrow read Ii. Note how you have a wealth of wonderful info on all of the left-facing pages, so dont whine too much about comprehension problems. All of W.S.s plays begin with pizazz. This one has the tension of impending war, a ghost, and the possible murder of a king (not unlike the 6 0clock news).

7. The final slide is a special treat. Beholdthe lost lines from the ending of Hamlet. The few remaining characters chant this together while dancing something like the modern Hokey-Pokey.

8. Hamlet, Hamlet, two by four You said your momma was a whore. You think your uncle offed your dad. It aint no wonder you always feel so bad. Ooh Hamletits not your birthday Ooh Hamletyou so dead! --William Shakespeare