Have you ever had to do a task that you knew needed to be done, but that you just didn't want to do and that you didn't know how to do? That's Hamlet's situation at the end of Act 1.
Here is an outline of what we will be doing over the next few days in "Hamlet". You DO NOT need to finish all of this by Monday or Tuesday. It is just here to give you an idea on some things you might focus on as you read.
By Wednesday (A1) or Thursday (A2), you should have read both the last few scenes in Act 1 and then, Act 2. The more times you read it, the clearer it will become.
After you read Act 1, scene 2, your group should do one of the four activities suggested on page 40 in the copy of Hamlet. Ask someone who likes to write to choose either a, b, c or d in Question 1 -- you should all contribute ideas, and your group reporter should give me an idea of who is doing what and who is contributing (you can point out to the daily reporter that you have contributed and tell them in what way). The piece of writing (a,b,c or d) should go into your folder.
In scene 3, we meet Polonius's family. How does it compare to Hamlet's family? Are they a loving family? They give advice to each other. Whose advice do you agree with? Do you listen to the advice of your parents? Do you get advice from your siblings? Do you give them advice? Is it good advice?
In scene 4 and 5, Hamlet meets the ghost. Would you trust it and believe what it said?
Act 2, scene 1: What is Polonius like? Would you like to have a father like this? In your group, make a list of his personal attributes. Accompany each attribute with a quote from the play. You may use things he says himself, or things that people say about him. You can add to your list as you continue to read the play.
Prepare a mime (with Ophelia's voice over) of the scene she describes in lines 76 - 100.
Act 2, scene 2: Different people arrive in Denmark. Make a list of who arrives and describe why they come and what significance they have to the play.
Hamlet is excited to see the players arrive. He asks one of the actors to recite for him. (How much do you know about the Trojan War? It is often referenced in Western literature -- why do you think that is?) What famous person would you be excited to see come to Steveston-London? Survey your group and write down a list of the famous people they would like to see and explain why.
If you were doing a production of Hamlet, you would likely not set it in Elizabethan England (the period in which Shakespeare himself lived). What would be a good place and time in which to set the play? Have someone who likes to draw sketch costumes for two of the characters that show how you would use colour and style to show the period in which you have set your production and also what the characters are like (for example, if you think Gertrude is behaving like a "strumpet", perhaps she would wear provocative, revealing clothing or, if you think Claudius is evil, perhaps he would dress in black or purple, or even red). Include your sketches in your folder.
Your group should work through Acts 2 and 3.
In Act 3, scene 1 -- Answer the questions posed in Question 5 after the scene (on page 146). You do not need to pretend to be a reporter or director. This scene contains the most famous soliloquy of the play.
At the beginning of scene 2, Hamlet gives advice to the actors. Do you think his advice is appropriate? What advice would you give to actors? (You can choose a specific actor, if you like.) Answer question 2 on page 174.
In scene 3, what is Claudius's dilemma? What is the solution to his problem?
After Act 3, scene 4, write an obituary for Polonius that would be featured in the Danish Times (the national newspaper). Be sure to include his age, his achievements, and who is left to mourn for him.
Keep the answers to the questions in your folder. Remember, you should be looking for images from each act to decorate the folder with. You all need to contribute to the group. The person keeping the diary should include things like who volunteers to do the writing or the sketching.
Also remember, you should be doing a reading log every off day. I will collect reading logs on November 6 and November 9.
Your poetry project is due on November 18! This is the last day of classes, so you cannot be late!
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