Hamlet Examlet - with a side of tech
Due by midnight this Friday 03/27/15. Worth approximately 33% of the 4th Quarter grade. Written word will be graded via holistic AP rubrics. Visuals will be graded with provided rubric.
You must use three valid and authoritative sources in addition to the play itself and provide a Bibliography in the medium of choice.
Part One - Using both visuals and written word (your own and correctly cited evidence), create either a Blog (on Blogger - private - except shared with me, of course) or a GDrive Presentation (shared with me) to defend, challenge or qualify Hamlet's sanity.
Part Two - Continuing with visuals and written word in the same medium of Blog or GDrive Presentation, analyze how Shakespeare uses literary and rhetorical devices to support his purpose in any one of Hamlet's monologues or soliloquies. Remember to explain what his intended purpose is.
Part Three - Continuing with visuals and written word in the same medium of Blog or GDrive Presentation, thoroughly address one essay topic from the list below:
1. Discuss Hamlet’s treatment of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. In what way are they part of a pattern that includes Polonius, Osric, and Gertrude? How do they help to point the difference between the followers of fortune and the searchers for wisdom?
2. In what way is Hamlet a typical Renaissance prince? How do his problems and his character serve as a document and introduction to the changes that occurred during the Renaissance?
3. Ophelia falls into the water accidentally and passively drowns. Discuss her death as a symbol of her life, her honor, and her relationship with Hamlet.
4. Discuss Hamlet’s supernatural uncertainties and their ultimate resolution (if any). Does the play contradict or support any of the theories about the ghost?
5. Discuss Claudius as the poisoner of Denmark; does he use the same poison in the goblet at the end of the play as he used on Hamlet’s father before the play began? Does it matter?
6. Discuss Hamlet as the savior of Denmark.
7. It is possible to say that the other characters in the play are mirrors held up to Hamlet’s nature? Discuss the three-part harmony of approval (Laertes, Horatio, Fortinbras) at the end of the play in this context.
8. Why is Hamlet’s tragedy more profound since he does not have a tragic flaw?
9. Discuss the strategy which Hamlet pursues in his play-long duel with his "mighty opposite," Claudius.
10. Compare and contrast the three pairs of fathers and sons in Hamlet.
11. Discuss the concept of honor as it is presented and attacked in the play.
12. Once Hamlet has determined that the King is guilty, he must then decide whether or not he has a right to kill him. Discuss his various responses to this complex question.
“O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!”
