Hamlet: Family Feud
Created by Kelly Dowd
Introduction
This website is designed to help high school students to explore the Shakespearean
play Hamlet. It will take you into the life of Shakespeare, the Elizabethan era, and
in depth looks at Hamlet. It will enable the viewer to get more background into the
play and author. By viewing this website high school students will be able to answer
these questions while learning about the elements surrounding the play.
Directions
The following are questions to the related links. After viewing each link, answer the
questions that correspond to each site.
Enjoying Hamlet Questions
This site begins with a scene-by-scene summarization of the play in language that is
easy to understand for students. After reading through each scene, pick one and
answer the questions.
What is happening in this scene?
Throughout the site, there are pictures of Hamlet from different plays and movies. How
do the pictures portray Hamlet?
Pick two pictures that correspond to the scene that you read. How do the pictures tell
what is going on in the scene?
This site gives background of the play. Read the background, pick two plays, and
answer the questions.
How are they similar to Hamlet?
How are they different from Hamlet?
What ideas did Shakespeare take from these plays?
What did Shakespeare add to Hamlet that was not in the plays?
Where did Shakespeare get the main plot for Hamlet?
This site asks if Life is Worth Living?
In your opinion, does Hamlet do the right thing by accepting the human condition and by
taking action?
What does the site suggest about revenge?
Explore the Production and Commentary sections.
Write a paragraph on how this confirms your view of Hamlet.
Biography of Shakespeare Questions
When and where was Shakespeare born?
Did Shakespeare attend school?
What did Shakespeare pursue when in London?
How did Shakespeare compare to other playwrights?
What was the First Folio based on?
What does his epitaph say to those who read it?
Life in London Questions
This site gives background into life in the Elizabethan era. The Elizabethan era is
the time that Shakespeare wrote his plays. On the left hand side click on the
following links and answer the questions that correspond.
Virtue and Vice, or vise versa
Which deadly sins are present in the play Hamlet? Who commits them?
Of the main characters in Hamlet, who displays The Virtues?
What passions does Hamlet demonstrate?
Language
Did Shakespeare use the familiar or formal speech of the time?
Did people speak like Hamlet in London at the time?
How is the language different from English now?
Would people who saw Shakespeare’s plays have trouble or ease with the language?
Honor and Dueling
Does the characteristics of nobility describe Hamlet’s character?
Describe Hamlet’s character.
Was dueling common? If so, why or why not?
Does Hamlet’s character support his duel at the end of the play?
Marriage and Family
What is the typical age of marriage?
Why would Shakespeare have Hamlet be single?
Would the whole play have been different if Hamlet or Ophelia were married? If so,
how?
Blenheim’s Palace Questions
This site is a pictorial gallery of the Blenheim castle used in Kenneth Branagh’s
version of Hamlet. On the right hand side, click on the following links to view the
pictures and answer the corresponding questions.
Front View and Francisco’s View
Does this castle look like a typical setting for the beginning of the play at the gate?
Does Francisco’s view look like what you would have pictured as the Palace gate in Act
1, scene one? Why or Why not?
The Maze Garden
What scene is likely to have taken place in this maze garden?
Why would that scene be set in this garden and not the Italian Garden?
What mood does this setting give the viewer?
Closer Look at Lake
What scene took place at the lake?
Describe the lake in this picture.
Does this view of the lake fit the scene? Why or why not?
Compare this picture with The Lake picture. Which one is better for this scene and why?
Hamlet Quiz
Click on this link and take a test on Hamlet to see how well you know the play!
Hamlet Worksheet
Click on this link to match quotes from Hamlet to their speaker.
Culminating Activity
Pick a scene from Hamlet. Write a one-page paper on making that scene into a film or
video. Include what types of settings you would have, if you would change the language
or keep it the same, what actors you would pick and why, what mood, and what genre of
film (i.e., Drama, action, comedy). Make sure that you use the resources from the
information above to make it an accurate portrayal of Hamlet and keep it true to the story
and any changes you make tell how they contrast with the original.