Mandino's AP Literature and Composition: Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Introduction

You are about to read the tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. This webquest is designed to give you proper background information on tragedies, Shakespeare, and the play itself. 

 

Task

You will be working with your current group members. Each group has been given a specific topic to research and answer questions about. Once you have completed the reasearch and answered all questions, you will need to create a presentation to give to the class. Your presentation must include a visual aid and every member or the group needs to speak during the course of the presentation.

 

Process

Group One- William Shakespeare

*Directions - Follow the steps below. As you are following the step, be sure to fully answer the questions.

1. When was Shakespeare born? When did he die? What was his primary occupation?

2. Mysterious Orgins - What documents exist about his life?

3. Early Life - Where did Shakespeare grow up? What was his education like?

4. Married Life - Who was his wife? How many children did he have and what are their names? What are his "lost years"?

5. Theatrical Beginnings - Describe his life as an actor. What theater company did he belong to?

6. Establishing Himself - How many plays did he write and by what year? What was his theater's name? Describe details about his theater.

7. Early Work Histories and Comedies - Describe his early work including titles of plays he penned.

8. Later Work Tragedies and Tragicomedies - Describe his later work including titles of plays he penned.

9. Death - When did Shakespeare die? What's strange about what he left his late wife?

10. Controversy - Explain the controversy surrounding Shakespeare and his writings. Include specific details.

Group Two - Shakespearean Tragedies

*Directions - Follow the steps below. As you are following the steps, be sure to fully answer the questions. 

1. What is a Shakespearean tragedy?

2. What is the essence of Shakespeare's tragedies?

3. Describe the characteristics common to Shakespeare's four great tragedies - specifically Hamlet.

4. What three elements do Shakespearean tragedies contain? Explain them in detail.

5. Why is death of the protagonist important? Explain in detail

6. Is there a solution to the paradox? Why or why not?

Group Three - Historical Context for Hamlet

*Directions - Follow the steps below. As you are follwing the steps, be sure to fully answer the questions. 

1. When was Hamlet first printed?

2. What were some noted difference between the first and second printings?

3. What is curious about the date given by Rosencrantz in Act II?

4. Explain the power and interpretations of Hamlet.

5. Describe some characters and the oddity of Hamlet's age.

Group Four - An Overview of Hamlet

*Directions - Follow the steps below. As you are following the steps, be sure to fully answer the questions.

1. Summarize Act I.

2. Summarize Act II.

3. Summarize Act III.

4. Summarize Act IV.

5. Summarize Act V.

Be sure to paraphrase! 

Group Five- Important Characters of Hamlet

*Direction - Follow the steps below. As you are following the steps, be sure to fully answer the questions.

1. Describe Hamlet. Be sure to include relvent details to how he changes over the course of the play.

2. Describe Claudius. What makes him the antagonist? 

3. Describe Gertrude. What is unique about her situation?

4. Describe Ophelia. Why does she choose not to love Hamlet? What happens to her as a result of her father's death?

Evaluation

Your presentation must include the answers to the questions from the process. However, you are not to perform a question answer session (unless you choose to "interview" Shakepeare or Shakespearean Experts). Please be creative when you are chooseing how to complete your presentation. Lasly, be sure to have visual aids for your audience members to help them remember the important information you are relaying to them. 

Conclusion

Now you are ready to read Hamlet! 

Credits

Work Cited

Chandler, David. The Essence of Shakespearean Tragedy. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. <http://www.lcurve.org/writings/Tragedy.htm&gt;

Dowden, Edward. History of Hamlet. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. <http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/hamlet007.html&gt;

"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Characters". Web. 20 Nov. 2015. <http://absoluteshakespeare.com/guides/hamlet/characters/characters.htm&…;

"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Summary". Web. 20 Nov. 2015. <http://absoluteshakespeare.com/guides/hamlet/summary/hamlet_summary.htm…;

"William Shakespeare Biography". Web. 20 Nov. 2015. <http://www.biography.com/people/william-shakespeare-9480323&gt; 

Teacher Page

This was written and designed by Ms. Mandino and intended for her AP Literature and Composition class.