The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

by William Shakespeare

Before we get into some specifics about how your notebook should be set up, here's a brief preview of what you are in for:

I should say that I am jealous that you get to experience this play for the first time. I've been teaching it for years and it is still enjoyable for me to teach because you will help me see things.

Throughout the play, you are to keep a notebook (see Reader's Notebook Rubric) on two characters and one "strand" which runs through Hamlet. You need to make sure that you do not lose your notebook.

This Notebook will be a substantial part of your quarter grade, worth about 15%.

I will check the notebook on occasion for homework assignments and collect it after certain Acts.
4

Notebook Set-Up:

Your Name's Hamlet Notebook

The main character that I will follow: The minor character that I will follow:

Hamlet or Ophelia

The following will be the first page of your notebook: The next few slides will go into a bit more detail about your choices.

See next slide for info.

The "strand" that I will follow:

Info in two more slides

How to choose which minor character to follow:

Choose one of the following:

Hamlet is in a "relationship" with Ophelia, but ...

Gertrude: Hamlet's Mom, Claudius: Hamlet's uncle, who has married Hamlet's mom (more on this later) and has replaced Hamlet's Dad (King Hamlet) Horatio: Hamlet's BFF Polonius: Ophelia's Dad Laertes: Ophelia's Brother Rosencrantz & Guildenstern: Two of Hamlet's Friends, always together

How to choose which

"strand" to follow:
Fortune & Fate Words words words Water & Liquid Prison strumpetness Ghosts Light Dark Flora Fauna Dreams Masculinity Femininity

A "strand" is an image or an idea which you will trace throughout the play. Every time you see a reference to the image or idea, you will want to note it (Act, Scene, line numbers) in a list at the end of your notebook.

Notebook Set-Up:
Hamlet

Topic: Characters

protagonist

The following will be the next section of pages of your notebook:

Notebook Set-Up:
Ophelia

Topic: Characters

Notebook Set-Up:
King Hamlet

Topic: Characters

King Claudius

Queen Gertrude

Notebook Set-Up:
Polonius

Topic: Characters

Laertes

Topic: Characters

Topic: Characters

Francisco Horatio

Barnardo

Marcellus

Notebook Set-Up:

Topic: Strands

Fortune & Fate Words words words Water & Liquid Prison strumpetness Ghosts Light Dark Flora Fauna Dreams Masculinity Femininity