The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare

Target Grade Level: 9-12 (This can be adjusted based on student reading level and familiarity with Shakespeare)

Subject: Literature

Time Allotment: This lesson plan is designed for a unit on Hamlet, so the total time will vary depending on how many class periods you dedicate to the play. However, this detailed plan can be used for several class sessions (approximately 1 week).

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to summarize the plot of Hamlet.
  • Students will be able to identify and analyze key characters and their motivations.
  • Students will be able to understand and interpret significant soliloquies and dramatic scenes.
  • Students will be able to analyze the themes of revenge, betrayal, and mortality in the play.
  • Students will be able to understand and appreciate Shakespearean language and dramatic techniques.

Materials:

  • Copies of Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare translation or another student-friendly version is recommended)
  • Whiteboard or projector
  • Markers or pens
  • Character chart handout (optional)
  • Theme analysis worksheet (optional)

Lesson Procedures:

Day 1: Introduction and Setting the Stage

  1. Bell Ringer (5 minutes): Begin with a brainstorming activity. Ask students what they know about William Shakespeare and his plays. Briefly discuss his historical context and the Elizabethan era.
  2. Introduction (10 minutes): Introduce the play "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" and provide some background information. Briefly discuss the play's genre (tragedy) and historical context.
  3. Setting the Stage (15 minutes): Read Act 1, Scene 1 together as a class. Before reading, highlight the importance of setting the scene and establishing the mood. After reading, discuss the significance of the scene's events and the characters introduced (e.g., Bernardo, Francisco, Horatio, Marcellus).
  4. Character Chart (10 minutes): (Optional) Introduce a character chart handout where students can track the play's major characters, their relationships, and their motivations throughout the play.

Day 2: Encountering the Ghost and Moral Conflict

  1. Review (5 minutes): Briefly review the events of Act 1, Scene 1.
  2. Close Reading and Discussion (20 minutes): Read Act 1, Scene 4 together. Focus on Hamlet's first soliloquy ("To be or not to be...") and his conversation with the ghost. Discuss Hamlet's emotional state, the ghost's revelation, and the burden placed on Hamlet.
  3. Moral Conflict (15 minutes): In groups, have students discuss the moral dilemma Hamlet faces. Is revenge justified? What are the potential consequences of revenge?
  4. Soliloquy Analysis (10 minutes): Have students analyze the famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy in more detail. Ask them to identify key ideas, literary devices (e.g., metaphor, imagery), and Hamlet's state of mind.

Day 3: Deception and the Play Within the Play

  1. Review (5 minutes): Briefly review the previous discussions.
  2. Close Reading and Discussion (25 minutes): Read Act 3, Scene 2 together. Focus on Hamlet's interactions with Polonius and Ophelia, his plan for the "play within the play," and his developing distrust. Discuss how these events contribute to the overall plot.
  3. Dramatic Techniques (15 minutes): Discuss the use of the "play within the play" as a dramatic technique. Why does Hamlet choose this approach? How might it help him achieve his goals?

Day 4: Themes and Consequences

  1. Review (5 minutes): Briefly review the key events and themes that have emerged so far.
  2. Theme Analysis (20 minutes): Distribute a theme analysis worksheet (optional) that focuses on revenge, betrayal, and mortality in the play. Have students identify specific examples from the text that support these themes.
  3. Class Discussion (20 minutes): Facilitate a class discussion about the themes and their significance in the play. How do these themes connect to the characters' actions and motivations? How do they contribute to the overall tragedy?

Day 5 Continued: Choices and the Tragic Downfall

  • After reading, discuss the characters' motivations and actions.
  • Ask students to analyze how these choices propel the plot towards the tragic conclusion.

Extension Activity (20 minutes):

  • Divide the class into groups and assign each group a different act of the play.
  • Each group will create a short tableau vivant (a living picture) that depicts a key scene from their assigned act.
  • As each group presents their tableau, have the class discuss the significance of the scene and how it reflects the play's themes.

Day 6: Unraveling the Tragedy and Reflection

  1. Review (5 minutes): Briefly summarize the main events of the play.
  2. Discussion (20 minutes): Facilitate a class discussion about the play's ending.
  • How does it fulfill the definition of a tragedy?
  • What are the consequences of revenge?
  • Are there any characters who deserve sympathy?
  1. Reflection (15 minutes): Have students write a reflective essay or participate in a Socratic seminar where they explore the following prompts:
  • What is the central message of Hamlet?
  • How does Shakespeare use language and dramatic techniques to convey this message?
  • How do the themes of the play connect to human nature and the complexities of life and death?