Journal Entries: Hamlet
Total Value: 80
Part A: Journal Entries by Act
Complete journal entries in a separate notebook (Hilroy or duotang) which can be passed in for assessment. You should be working on this as the play is being read. Choose to respond to 2 journal entries from each Act. You will be marked on having all 10 required entries. Although you must complete the required number of entries, only some will be marked thoroughly.
Write the date, Act and appropriate number at the top of each entry. Make sure each entry completely answers the question. Responses should be at least a 1 page (double-spaced) in length. Include this sheet at the front of your Journal. (Value: 60)
Act One:
Choose 2 of the following:
1. Choose the lines that most vividly reveal the character of Horatio. Why do you think Marcellus confided in Horatio and not someone else? Does Horatio remind you of anyone you know?
2. In the role of Queen Gertrude’s lady-in-waiting, write a letter to a close friend. Include the inside gossip of the palace, your reaction to Gertrude’s hasty remarriage, and your impression of Gertrude’s appearance and behavior during the court scene.
3. Describe the character of Hamlet based on Act One. Use examples to support your claims.
4. Discuss in writing the relationships in the Polonius family. Consider the relative position of men and women in the family, parent-child relationships, and power.
5. Compare Hamlet’s first response to the Ghost’s call for revenge (lines 29-31) with his statement at the end of the scene (lines 190-191). How do you account for the differences between these two responses?
Act Two:
Choose 2 of the following:
1. What news does Ophelia bring Polonius? How does Polonius interpret Hamlet’s behavior as described by Ophelia?
2. As a friend who has heard about Ophelia’s encounter with Hamlet, write her a letter of advice.
3. What is the significance of the meeting between the royal couple and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? How does it connect to the meeting between Reynaldo and Polonius?
4. Do you think Hamlet’s caution about the king’s possible guilt is an example of fairness or procrastination? Discuss thoroughly.
5. Read lines 545-585 in Hamlet’s soliloquy at the end of Scene 2. Why is Hamlet so angry at himself? Do you think his anger is justified?
Act Three:
Choose 2 of the following:
1. In Scene 1, Claudius admits that he is suffering from a guilty conscience (lines 50-55). Does his confession change your opinion of him in some way?
2. In Scene 2 Hamlet states that the purpose of drama is “to hold, as ‘twere, the mirror up to nature” (Lines 21-24). In your experience with this play, do you agree that Shakespeare is “holding the mirror up to nature” in the portrayal of the action and the characters? Do you think drama on television or in the movies today hold up the mirror to nature?
3. What is the purpose of the scene with Horatio? How does Hamlet’s relationship with Horatio compare to his relationship with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
4. The adage “I must be cruel to be kind” comes from Hamlet’s speech at the end of Act 111. Do you think cruelty can be justified? Why or why not? Use examples to help support your point.
5. Choose one of the following characters: Hamlet, Gertrude, Ophelia, Polonius, or Claudius. Suppose you are acting this role and the director has asked you to choose one prop or piece of clothing to use during rehearsals in order to look and feel the part. What would you choose, and why?
Act Four:
Choose 2 of the following:
1. What explanation does Gertrude give for Polonius’ murder? In your opinion, does Gertrude believe Hamlet to be mad? Explain with details.
2. Define the term “black humor”. Explain how Hamlet uses black humor in his comments about Polonius. Is this another aspect of his antic disposition? Does it demonstrate some change in Hamlet’s state of mind?
3. How does Fortinbras compare with Hamlet? Use concrete examples to explain your points.
4. In the role of Queen Gertrude, write a diary entry in which you reflect on the events in Scene 5. Include your true feelings about Ophelia’s madness, and your feelings toward Claudius and Laertes. Do you think you will be able to keep your promise to Hamlet for much longer?
5. Do you think that Ophelia’s death should be considered suicide? What effect did the details of her death create on you? What effect do you think Shakespeare wanted to create? Was Ophelia an innocent victim? Discuss in detail.
Act Five:
Choose 2 of the following:
1. According to Hamlet, what was the difference between Yorick and the two figures of history? What is the difference between them now? What point is Shakespeare making with that comparison?
2. Do you think Rosencrantz and Guildenstern deserved to be put to death? What alternative actions could Hamlet have taken? What does Hamlet’s involvement in the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern say about Hamlet’s character?
3. Hamlet says he loved Ophelia more than “forty thousand brothers” could have loved her. Do you think this is true? Why do you think Hamlet thought it was necessary to say this?
4. Even though Hamlet knows that Claudius has plotted his murder, he consents to participate in a duel that Claudius organized. Discuss why Hamlet is eager to have the duel.
5. Is Denmark better off at the end of Hamlet than at the beginning? Would Hamlet have made a good leader for the country? Will Fortinbras be a good leader? Explain with details.
Part B: Journal Entries: Entire Play: All Compulsory:
You must respond to all the compulsory entries presented below. (Value 20)
Compulsory Entries:
1. Quotation Collection: Keep a list of 5 of your favorite quotes or passages from Hamlet. Include the following information with each quote:
Quote:
Act, Scene, line number:
Speaker:
To whom it was addressed:
Significance/Meaning:
Reason you like it:
2.Memorization: Choose a passage of at least 10 lines from this play. Copy them into your journal. Give Act, Scene and line numbers. Memorize. Be prepared to recite in front of the class.
3. Hamlet Jeopardy: Create 5 questions about Hamlet, the play, which could be used on “Jeopardy.” They could fall under the categories of Characters; Quotations; Literary Devices; Setting; Vocabulary; Plot; etc.
4. Life’s Lessons: What is (are) the most significant thing(s) you learned in your study of this play? How can you put that lesson into practice in your everyday life? Would you say the study of Shakespeare is valuable and applicable in today’s world? (Length: one page minimum)