Hamlet
Warm Ups & In Class Activities
Warm Ups
April 10/ 11: On a piece of paper list – your name, your father’s name, your mother’s name, the
name of an uncle or uncle figure. Leave a line open between each name.
April 12/13: Have you or anyone you have known ever seen or claimed to have witnessed some
kind of supernatural being? Explain the circumstances surrounding the event. Do you believe in
the supernatural? Explain.
April 17/18: How common do you believe the act of revenge is in everyday life? Write about
specific incidents, including any in which you were involved or have witnessed.
April 19/20: How are relationships between stepparents and stepchildren generally depicted in
fiction or film? Do you have any experience with or knowledge of step-relationships? What
conflicts and barriers must be overcome? What are the advantages, the positive aspects of these
relationships?
April 24/25: To what extent do parents have the right to "spy" or check up on their children?
What circumstance might allow or prevent this?
April 26/27: Characterize yourself as a "thinker" or a "doer." In this respect what character in the
play are you most like? How would you like to be different, or would you like to be different?
Modern Interpretation of To Be or Not to Be Speech
Students write a modern version of the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy (response to literature)
using the voice and point of view of a popular literary, television or film character, or a political
figure.
Why: By creating this interpretation students will demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of the
passage, identify key ideas through the version, demonstrate awareness of the use of poetic
devices, and assess their impact.
Venn Diagram
Use a Venn diagram to show the differences and similarities between Hamlet and Horatio,
Laertes and Fortinbras.