Hamlet


Text and Background Information

Hamlet Vocabulary

Related Readings and Assignments

Hamlet Creative Projects

Quiz and Test Preparation


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!


Vocabulary

All vocabulary lists posted in Google Classroom.

Hamlet Vocabulary 1 Quizlet

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


Hamlet Creative Projects

“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

 


Quiz and Test Preparation

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