English 4UI: “Hamlet” Summative Seminars
Task: Present a 20 minute seminar based one of the topics below. Your seminar will consist of three parts:
1. Introduction - a LIVE dramatic performance that best reflects your topic (5 minutes)
Select ONE of following options:
- performing a scene or speech from the play – original or modern
- writing and performing a modern skit (a talk show or news show)
- create a series of tableaus (with titles)
- perform a visual soliloquy
2. Body – Create a SUITABLE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER to convey information and insight about the topic –
present an argument based on researched evidence (using the text of the play and perhaps, other sources)
(13 minutes)
3. Conclusion –make a final statement about your topic and answer questions. (2 minutes)
Topics – Maximum 3 students per topic
1.
Tragedy and The Tragic Hero Read about Aristotle’s definition of Tragedy and The Tragic Hero. Is Hamlet a hero or not? Is
Hamlet's death a tragic death? Support your points in the universe of the play. Look closely and critically at this topic and go
beyond the obvious.
2. Portrayal of Women: both Gertrude and Ophelia are victims in this play. Agree or disagree.
3. Machiavellian Characters: Read about Niccolo Machiavelli and his writings in The Prince about leadership. Prove that both
Hamlet and Claudius are Machiavellian characters.
4. Duality of Human Nature: Prove that Hamlet’s character is a reflection of the duality of human nature – good and evil
5. Theme of Death: Research Hamlet’s attitude toward death for at least 5 different moments in the play (soliloquy would be a
starting point). Why does he feel the way he feels? Is his death inevitable?
6. Parallel Plots: Look at the issue of fathers and sons. Compare and contrast the three pairs. Why does Shakespeare create
these three parallel sets for Hamlet? Look at the play as a whole. Look closely at individual lines. Develop a thesis, explore it,
and connect it to the rest of the play.
7. Hamlet’s Character: Hamlet is a neurotic weakling, a hopeless procrastinator, a cynical eccentric, or a brooding introvert –or a
combination of some or all of these. Prove.
8. Corrupt Society: Prove that words, images, and actions are used by Shakespeare to emphasize the corrupt society of
Denmark
9. Character Foils: Research the definition of character foil. Prove that Shakespeare uses character foils effectively in this play.
10. Archetype: The image of a Fallen Eden is threaded throughout the play. Make comparisons between this biblical passage and
the play.
TIPS for your seminar:
1. You may research the topic in greater depth (remember to give credit your source during your
presentation), but you should also provide your opinion on the topic.
2. Make sure that your graphic organizer is CLEAR, MEANINGFUL, READABLE FOR A LARGE
AUDIENCE, and CREATIVE.
3. Read important speeches aloud for the class – practice your delivery!
4. All members must participate equally in the performance of the dramatic presentation AND the
explanation of the graphic organizer.
5. Submit Group Planning Notes and a Works Cited (if other sources were used) on the day of
presentation. Group planning notes must clearly indicate responsibilities and roles.
Hamlet Seminars: Evaluation
Name:___________________________________________
(Remember that even though you are working in a group you will
Be evaluated on an INDIVIDUAL basis)
Categories
R
Level 1
Limited
Level 2
Some
Level 3
Considerable
Level 4
High degree
Demonstrates limited
knowledge of the play
Demonstrates some
knowledge of the play
and/or research skills
but only some analysis
Demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of the
play and or/ research
skills; analysis is
meaningful
Demonstrates
insightful knowledge
of the play and/or
research skills.
Answers questions
thoughtfully
Limited engagement;
performance does not
relate to the topic
Some effort to engage
the audience; some
relevance to the topic
Engaging
performance. Serves
as a good
introduction to the
topic
Limited organization;
many parts
unprepared
Presentation is too
long or too short
Little or no evidence of
preparation/ research
Some organization;
some evidence of
preparation
Shows some awareness
of timing
Notes/ works cited
demonstrate some
degree of preparation /
research
Considerable
organization;
considerable
evidence of
preparation
Shows awareness of
timing
Notes/ Works cited
demonstrate
considerable degree
of preparation/
research
Highly creative and
engaging
performance.
Serves as an
excellent introduction
to the topic
Presentation is highly
organized; smooth
transitions; all
members have equal
speaking parts and
are aware of their
role
Fully aware of timing
Notes/ Works cited
show a high degree
of preparation /
research
Limited clarity and
confidence
Limited fluency
Little or no effort to
engage the audience
Participation was
limited
Some clarity and
confidence
Some effort to use voice
to engage the audience
Some participation
Considerable clarity
and confidence
Some effort to use
voice and gestures to
engage the audience
Participated equally
with other group
members
Extremely clear and
confident
Audience is
completely engaged
Participated equally
or much more than
other group
members
Reads exclusively from
notes with little or no
fluency or modulation
Little or no effort to
engage the audience
Limited participation
Reading is fluent but
relies too heavily on
notes; eye contact and
body language shows
some confidence
Voice is heard with some
clarity
Some participation
Fluent reading.
Voice is clear and
modulated
Eye contact is
effective.
Body language is
effective
Participated equally
with other group
members
Extremely fluent and
professional
Modulates voice
Uses eye contact
and body language
to engage the
audience
Clearly teaches the
class about the topic
Participated equally
or more than other
group members
Contributes to the
success of the group
with limited
effectiveness
Contributes to the
success of the group
with some effectiveness
Contributes to the
success of the group
with considerable
effectiveness
Contributes to the
success of the group
with a high degree of
effectiveness
Visuals are difficult to
follow
Limited effort to
engage the audience
Visuals are informative
but contain too much
information
Some effort to engage
the audience
Visuals are engaging
and informative.
Visuals serve to
complement
the topic
Visuals are highly
engaging, creative, and
informative.
Visuals are visible to all
members of the class
Visuals serve to
complement
the topic
Knowledge and Understanding
Content, themes, ideas of the
play (understanding of the topic,
support, conclusions, answers to
questions)
Thinking and Inquiry
Creativity of dramatic
presentation
Preparation and planning
Communication
Oral Communication of ideas
(performance)
Oral Communication of ideas
(presentation)
Application
- application of skills (face to face
interaction, cooperation, use of
time, reliability) (TEACHER
OBSERVATION and PEER
EVALUATION)
Visual Communication of ideas
(use of charts/webs/ diagrams/
props/ pictures)
Hamlet Seminars: Group work and Presentation Evaluation
Name:_____________
Working effectively and successfully within a group work situation involves meeting many criteria, some of which
are listed below:
-
Use of class time
Listening skills
Cooperating
Contributing ideas
Recording ideas
Preparing resources and visuals for presentation
Attending group work sessions (in (and perhaps out of) class)
Group Work
Based on the criteria above, provide details about how you and each of your group members contributed to the
preparation of this assignment.
Yourself: _________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Member #1 : _______________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Member #2: _______________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
All members contributed equally to this assignment: Agree
OR
Disagree
If you disagree, explain: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Presentation
1. Overall which presentation was the strongest? ____________________ Why? ________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What aspects of your presentation were strong? ________________________________________________
3. What areas, if any, could have used some improvement? _________________________________________