"On First Sitting Down to Read (or See) Hamlet" Packet

By now you should have read "On First Sitting Down to Read (or See) Hamlet." The article touches on several different aspects of the play.  I would like, as a closing activity to Hamlet, to discuss your responses to a variety of topics. Therefore, No more than FIVE students should respond to any one prompt.

1.  The article makes reference to reader/audience sympathy and suggests that Prince Hamlet is not the most sympathetic character in the play.  Address this notion by supporting that claim or refuting it.  If you choose to refute, suggest who you see as the most sympathetic character.  Regardless of your position, be sure to support it with specific references to the article and the play.


2.  The article makes reference to Feminist critic, Elaine Showalter, and Shakespeare's portrayal of Ophelia.  Discuss Ophelia's role in the play.  Consider the double standards of the time, Ophelia as a "double-agent" and her apparent or real madness.  Support your position with specific references to the article and the play.

3.  The article begins by stating, "Over and over again, we're told that Hamlet is the greatest play by the greatest playwright."  The writers then (famously, at least in my mind,) draw the connection between Hamlet and Holden Caulfield. Hamletologists study the many record-breaking statistics about the play.  Discuss one of the many records broken by Hamlet, as discussed in the article.  Provide outside information (research) to expand on this understanding.  Be sure to support your discussion with specific references to the article, the play and your outside source of information.

4.  Under the section, "Hamlet Controversies," the writers contend that Shakespeare's brilliance lies in his ability to create ambiguity in what is, ultimately, a psychological drama.  Romantics, Victorians, Freudians and Existentialists have all theorized about Hamlet's actions and inaction(s). Consider an ambiguity in the play and speculate as to Shakespeare's intent, using evidence from the text, the article and/or an outside source.  (You may consider Hamlet, Gertrude, Ophelia or other minor characters in your analysis.


Assignment parameters:
1. No more than 5 students can respond to any one prompt.
2. Responses should be a minimum of 300-400 words.
3. You must have a minimum of 3 references to the play, the article and/or supplemental information.

4. You do not need to make reference to a classmate's post.

5. Follow the conventions of standard written English.

6.  Blog responses must be posted by 7:00 am on January 9th.  Late blogs will lose 10 points a day.

Electronic version of The Great Gatsby

http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/gatsby/complete.html

2012...Upcoming Events & Due Dates

January 3: Hamlet class discussion completed- Hamlet reading assigned (blog assignment - due Tuesday, January 9th                                                              

January 4: Hamlet Act V quiz
January 5: Hamlet Act V test analysis (discussion) test analysis due January 9th

January 6: Anthem Ind. reading completed - in class test

January 9: Hamlet Projects Due - Be prepared to present

January 17: Mid-year exam for A Block (7:30 - 10:30)

problem A block? TROLLOLOLOL

Upcoming units: Poetry & The Great Gatsby

Poetry - Meter and Rhyme

Go to this site to view the full power show:

http://www.powershow.com/view/19f08-MTRmN/Poetic_Meter_and_Rhyme_flash_ppt_presentation

 

Literary Symbolism - Dictionary

As promised, I'm researching resources for the cultural literacy (symbols and references) that we've discussed in class. The sites below, are a great place to start.  More to follow...

http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/

http://www.thrall.org/readyref/Symbols.html

Shakespearean Insults

Enjoy:

http://www.e-shakespeare.org/list.html

http://www.insults.net/html/shakespeare/

A.P. Workbook Assignment # 3

For our A.P. workbook assignment #3, we will be analyzing Maxine Kumin's, "The Sound of Night," on page 115.  After reading/annotating the poem, as you would on the day of the exam, read through the 8 questions posed under "Using Skills to Understand the Poem" on page 116.  You are to respond to any 2 of the 8 questions.  Unless you are the first to respond, refer to (quote) an observation or insight made by one of your classmates that strikes you as interesting or controversial. Your response is to be a minimum of 250 words in total.  As always, this is a formal written assignment; apply the conventions of standard written English. 

Blog is to be posted before class on Friday, 12/9/11.