Hamlet
The End
Objectives:
identify and discuss the characteristics of the play that mark it
as a Shakespearean tragedy.
as some of act 5 questions are answered, pick out and fill in the
answers to act 5 questions, as your notes
CE 3.2.3 Identify how elements of dramatic literature
illuimiate the meaning of texts.
Characteristics of a Shakespearean
Tragedy
 Death for many characters
 Death for the tragic hero
 Hero exhibits a tragic flaw
 Order must be restored at the end
Tragic Hero
 Aristotelian Model- a man who rose to a high position and
then fell from that high position usually to utter desolation or
death- depended on a tragic flaw as well as fate
 Renaissance Model- people felt themselves to be less pawns
of fate and more in control of their own destinies
 Shakespearean Model- relies on responsible for downfall-
“waste of human potential”
 Which category(ies) does Hamlet fall into?
Typical Shakespearean Tragic Elements
 Tragedy is concerned primarily with one person – The tragic hero.
 The story is essentially one of exceptional suffering and calamity
leading to the death of the hero- unexpected and contrasted with
previous happiness and glory.
 The hero undergoes a sudden reversal of fortune.
 This reversal excites and conjures emotions of pity and fear within
the audience.
 The tragic fate of the hero is often triggered by a tragic flaw in the
hero’s character. The hero contributes in some way, shape, or form
to the disaster in which he perishes.
Typical Shakespearean Tragic Elements
 Shakespeare often introduces abnormal conditions of the
mind (such as insanity, somnambulism, or hallucinations).
 Supernatural elements are often introduced as well.
 Much of the plot seems to hinge on “chance” or “accident”.
 Besides the outward conflict between individuals or groups
of individuals, there is also an inner conflict(s) and
torment(s) within the soul of the tragic hero.
 The tragic hero need not be an overwhelmingly “good”
person, but, it is necessary that he/she should contain so
much greatness that the audience cares about the character
Contrast to Previous
Happiness/Sudden Reversal of
Fortune
 How does the entrance of Ophelia’s funeral procession continue
the evolution to Hamlet’s understanding of death?
Hamlet admits he loved her
He realizes his previous perceptions of her were to happier
times
Death has become more personal for him
What other event contributed to Hamlet’s misfortune?
What significance do the skulls have?
 Emphasizes the end of physical life
 Physical decay follows death
 Anonymous skulls
 Yorick’s skull
 Leads to the emotional affect of Ophelia’s death on Hamlet
Who died and why?
 Polonious- plot, characterization
 Ophelia- develop Hamlet’s understanding of death
 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- irony
 Gertrude
 Claudius
 Laertes
 Hamlet
Hamlet’s Greatness
 Hamlet is shown to be a nobleman when:
 he expresses sincere regret that he fought Laertes
 he recognizes Laertes has the same cause for vengeance and
anger as him
 he approaches the duel as a sincere challenge
 He apologizes to Laertes- because he is a man with integrity
The plan must end in bloodshed and
death. Why?
 Order must be restored to the Kingdom of Denmark
 Fortinbras delivers the last line because in a Shakespearean
Tragedy, the last one who speaks restores the shaken society.
Review
 Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy???
 Turn to the person next to you and share.
 Share with the class