William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
North Senior Academy
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Popularity of Hamlet and young Hamlet
• Over twenty film versions of Hamlet have been
produced just since World War II
• More has been written about Hamlet than about any
other literary character
• Most intelligent character in literature?
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
A“Problem” Play
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Sense of mystery, introspection, questions
Why does it take Hamlet so long to try and avenge
King Hamlet’s murder?
Why does Hamlet stage a play within his own play?
Why does Hamlet decide to act insane?
Does Hamlet really go insane?
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Motifs and Themes
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Deception / Appearance and Reality
Passion and Reason
Decay and Corruption
Melancholy
Madness and Sanity
Revenge
Misogyny
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
• Literary term: foil
• A foil is “any person that enhances or underscores
the distinctive characteristics of another”
• The primary foils to Hamlet in the play are Laertres
and Fortinbras, the Norwegian crown prince.
• Both Hamlet and Fortinbras have lost a father. The
Danish prince deliberates, ponders and plans - the
Norwegian prince is impulsive and determined to
avenge his father’s death
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Passages to Examine
• Act 1. Scene I - BERNARDO: Who's there?
• Act 1. Scene II - CLAUDIUS: Though yet of Hamlet
our dear brother's death
• Act 1. Scene II - HAMLET: O, that this too too solid
flesh would melt
• Act 1. Scene III - POLONIUS: And these few precepts
• Act 1. Scene V - GHOST: I am thy father's spirit
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet