Text and Background Information
Related Readings and Assignments
Text and Background Information
Hamlet Online – e-text of the entire play
Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) 2008 stage production of Hamlet – a modern-dress, film-for-television adaptation with David Tennant as Hamlet and Patrick Stewart as Claudius and the Ghost
Hamlet on iTunes – free audio download of Hamlet for your listening pleasure
Ethan Hawke does “To Be or Not to Be” – in this contemporary version of the play set in 2000, Hamlet ponders “to be or not to be” at the Blockbuster video store
David Tennant does “To Be or Not to Be” from the 2008 Royal Shakespeare Company stage to film production
Mel Gibson does “To Be or Not to Be” from the 1990 film directed by Franco Zeffirelli
Kenneth Branagh does “To Be or Not to Be” from the 1996 film directed by Kenneth Branagh
Vote for your favorite “To be or not to be” performance on Google Classroom!
All vocabulary lists posted in Google Classroom.
Hamlet Vocabulary 1 Sentence Completion Quizlet Use the multiple choice option in the test for best results.
Hamlet Act 2 Vocabulary Quizlet
Hamlet Act 2 Sentence Completion Quizlet Use the multiple choice option in the test for best results.
Hamlet Act 3-5 Vocabulary Quizlet
Hamlet Act 3-5 Vocabulary Sentence Completion Quizlet Use the multiple choice option in the test for best results.
Related Readings and Assignments
A Short Course on Shakespeare’s Hamlet Excellent study resource with questions and answers, commentary, and message board
Enjoying Hamlet Terrific website that gives in-depth explanation and analysis of each scene of the play, as well as discussion on the themes and background of Hamlet
Hamlet Online Another excellent Hamlet resource with links to all things Hamlet: summaries, study guides, film resources, humor, etc.
Bardfilm Commentary on films, plays and other media related to Shakespeare, including some humorous Hamlet links
Hip-Hop and Shakespeare TED Talk – Akala demonstrates and explores the connections between Shakespeare and Hip-Hop, and the wider cultural debate around language and it’s power
Hamlet Act 1-3 Review Crossword Homework assignment from class
Natalie Merchant – Ophelia Video
Hamlet Themes Themes discussed in class
“Put Him to the Test” an original song based on Hamlet written and performed by TZ students Sonya Harrow and Annika Scilipote for their 10H Hamlet Creative Project!
Breaking Hamlet TZ student parody: Hamlet Meets “Breaking Bad”
“Frick Claudius (Claudius is Not a Nice Guy)” TZ student rap about Claudius
Sample Movie Posters You may create your own cast for a new adaptation of Hamlet, explaining why you have chosen each actor for the role. Some students have had fun creating Hamlet casts from already existing popular TV show or movie casts. They should have a one-page explanation of the cast and how it connects to Hamlet.
Hamlet Meets Dr. Seuss
“Green Eggs and Hamlet”
I ask to be or not to be. That is the question I ask of me.
This sullied life, it makes me shudder. My uncle’s boffing dear sweet mother.
Would I, could I take my life? Could I, should I end this strife?
Should I jump out of a plane? Or throw myself before a train?
Should I from a cliff just leap? Could I put myself to sleep?
Shoot myself or take some poison? Maybe try self “immoloition”?
To shudder off this mortal coil, I could stab myself with a fencing foil.
Slash my wrists while in the bath? Would it end my angst and wrath?
To sleep, to dream, now there’s the rub. I could drop a toaster in my tub.
Would all be glad if I were dead? Could I perhaps kill them instead?
This line of thought takes consideration — For I’m the king of procrastination.
— Author unknown.
Hamlet Pinterest Page Sample Pinterest posts. You will need to print this assignment on a poster board to share in class. Keep in mind, in order to do well on this assignment, you must explain your choices well. Here is a sample picture and description:
This might be along the lines of what Hamlet is thinking in the beginning of the play. He is very upset over his father’s sudden death, and does not seem to be able to get himself out of his emotional slump. King Claudius and Gertrude tell Hamlet to get over his father’s death already. The king even calls his grief “unmanly.” In saying this, the queen shows that she has forgotten that it is her responsibility to make him feel better, as she is the one who raised him. –Tess A., class of 2016
Hamlet Humor:
To Be or Not to Be – Sample Parodies
Hamlet’s Facebook Page– Spoiler alert! Do not read until you’ve finished the play!
Patrick Stewart’s Soliloquy on B A parody of the “To Be or Not to Be” speech courtesy of Sesame Street
Mystery Science Theater 3000 – Hamlet
Hamlet Review of Acts 1-2 — summaries of each scene
Hamlet 1-2 Quotes Quizlet use the quotes and answers to test your knowledge before the test
Hamlet Act 3-5 Quotes Quizlet use the quotes and answers to test your knowledge before the test
Structure of a Tragedy Quizlet
Famous Hamlet Quotes A great study source for Hamlet tests! Can you explain why each is significant?
Hamlet Jeopardy Review For use at the end of the play