Overview
Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most popular, and most puzzling, play. It follows the form of a “revenge tragedy,” in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties.
Among them: What is the Ghost—Hamlet’s father demanding justice, a tempting demon, an angelic messenger? Does Hamlet go mad, or merely pretend to? Once he is sure that Claudius is a murderer, why does he not act? Was his mother, Gertrude, unfaithful to her husband or complicit in his murder?
Most Popular Resources
Cutting and Performing Scenes – Put Students in the Driver’s Seat!
Cutting and Performing Scenes – Put Students in the Driver’s Seat!
March Lesson of the Month: Pairing Clint Smith’s “My Hopes, Dreams, Fears for My Future Son” with Hamlet
March Lesson of the Month: Pairing Clint Smith’s “My Hopes, Dreams, Fears for My Future Son” with Hamlet
Sneak Peek! Lessons from the Forthcoming Folger Guide to Teaching Hamlet.
Sneak Peek! Lessons from the Forthcoming Folger Guide to Teaching Hamlet.
Lesson Plans
Film Expert Groups: The Closet Scene
Film Expert Groups: The Closet Scene
Creating a Promptbook: Hamlet 1.1
Creating a Promptbook: Hamlet 1.1
Cutting a Scene: Hamlet 2.2
Cutting a Scene: Hamlet 2.2
Choral Reading and Cutting a Text: Pairing Clint Smith’s “My Hopes, Dreams, Fears for My Future Son” with Hamlet
Choral Reading and Cutting a Text: Pairing Clint Smith’s “My Hopes, Dreams, Fears for My Future Son” with Hamlet
Free resource
Professional Development
Cutting and Performing Scenes – Put Students in the Driver’s Seat!
Cutting and Performing Scenes – Put Students in the Driver’s Seat!
March Lesson of the Month: Pairing Clint Smith’s “My Hopes, Dreams, Fears for My Future Son” with Hamlet
March Lesson of the Month: Pairing Clint Smith’s “My Hopes, Dreams, Fears for My Future Son” with Hamlet
Sneak Peek! Lessons from the Forthcoming Folger Guide to Teaching Hamlet.
Sneak Peek! Lessons from the Forthcoming Folger Guide to Teaching Hamlet.
Juicy Lesson! Pre-reading: A 20-minute Hamlet
Juicy Lesson! Pre-reading: A 20-minute Hamlet
Free resource