Hamlet - Introduction

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Hamlet

Let's refresh your memories

What is William Shakespeare
famous for?

Which literary period did Shakespeare belong to?

1. Old English period
2. Middle English period
3. Renaissance
4. I didn't pay attention during Literary history ;)

What is Shakespeare famous for?

1. Tragedies
2. Comedies
3. Sonnets
4. All of the above

What's the difference between a monologue and a soliloquy?

Name as many plays by Shakespeare
as you can remember.

Hamlet - an introduction

Full Title: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Written: Likely between 1599 and 1602

Literary Period: Renaissance

Genre: Tragic play; revenge play

Setting: Elsinore Castle, Denmark, during the late Middle Ages

Protagonist: Hamlet

Antagonist: Claudius

Hamlet - structure

Plays are divided into Acts and Scenes

Hamlet is structured as follows:

Act 1 - 5 scenes

Act 2 - 2 scenes

Act 3 - 4 scenes

Act 4 - 7 scenes

Act 5 - 2 scenes

Hamlet - important characters 1

Hamlet - protagonist

Claudius - (main) antagonist, Hamlet's uncle

Gertrude - Hamlet's mother

Polonius - loyal advisor to Claudius 

Ophelia - Hamlet's love interest and Polonius' daughter

The Ghost - appears to be Hamlet's father

Hamlet - important characters 2

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - Hamlet's old school friends, but working for Claudius to spy on Hamlet

Laertes - Ophelia's brother, obsessed with his family's honour

Horatio - Hamlet's closest friend and confidante

www.ted.com

What have you learnt about
Hamlet so far?