Themes
Hamlet, William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, has the following theme(s):
==============================================================
Task 13: Pretest time to complete task - ½ hour
Please complete the pretest BEFORE attempting ANY assignments. Please relax this will only test what you know at this point in time. You are
graded for doing it regardless of your score.
Task 14 & 15: Background information 1 & 2 time to complete task - 2 hours
Queen Elizabeth I, was the reigning monarch during Shakespeare’s life. Many consider her one of England’s greatest queens. The 1500s
were a time of rapid change throughout Europe, and England was no exception. Go to this Elizabethan England website and choose
four (4) topics about life during this time period. Write a paragraph about each topic you researched.
Task 16: Hamlet time to complete task - 7 hours
Read Shakespeare Made Easy: Hamlet.
Or try the online version of No Fear Shakespeare is available here.
Complete the study guide.
Task 17: Themes in modern non-fiction time to complete task - 2 hours
Read “Why Revenge is Bad and Good” and “Vigilante Justice…”
Revenge is a common theme in life. We've all considered revenge against someone we feel has wronged us. Read these two articles, then
write an ABC essay on whether you think revenge is good or bad. Be sure to give specific examples from the article to back up your thesis.
Task 18: Essay time to complete task - 3 hours
Essay must be typed and submitted using Google Docs, unless you receive other instructions. You MUST DOUBLE-SPACE AND LEFT-JUSTIFY
YOUR PAPER. You must complete the rubric handout and turn it in to have your essay graded. Essay must be at least 400 words and include
examples from the play. Please note that the grading of your essay may take 24 hours or more. Write a reflective essay on one of the
following:
Choose 1 reflective essay topic:
Many contemporary songs are inspired by literature and share common ideas and themes. Pick a song or songs from the list below, which
share common ideas or themes from Hamlet. Write 1 ABC paragraph explaining how Hamlet and your selected song share a theme or idea.
See Music and Literature Assignment.
List of songs for Hamlet:
Task 20: Art and Literature time to complete task - 2 hours
Go to this webpage: http://shakespeare.emory.edu/illustrated_playdisplay.cfm?playid=7
Choose 1 of the two activities:
1. Compare and contrast two paintings on the same subject. Analyze how they show the same scene from different perspectives.
2. Take a painting and explain how it relates to the same scene in Hamlet.
Task 21: Exam time to complete task - 1 hour
Must achieve a 70% or greater to pass.
Task 22: FIT/Grammar
Activities assigned on a daily basis.
Task 23: Contemporary Fiction time to complete task - 10 hours
Read The Life of Pi. In both The Life of Pi and Hamlet the main character experiences growth as a result of the death of family members and
the circumstances surrounding those deaths. Write a 200 word essay or multimedia project with presentation.
Task 24: Projects time to complete task - 6 hours
First Presentation: Prepare a presentation in which you discuss the themes from Hamlet across literature, film, art, and music.
Second Presentation: Prepare a presentation, using a different tool than the one used in the first presentation, in which you discuss a
different theme (than the first presentation) across the pieces you have studied.
Hamlet, William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, has the following theme(s):
- Action and inaction
- Appearance vs. Reality
- Women
- Religion, Honor and Revenge
- Poison, Corruption, Death
==============================================================
Task 13: Pretest time to complete task - ½ hour
Please complete the pretest BEFORE attempting ANY assignments. Please relax this will only test what you know at this point in time. You are
graded for doing it regardless of your score.
Task 14 & 15: Background information 1 & 2 time to complete task - 2 hours
Queen Elizabeth I, was the reigning monarch during Shakespeare’s life. Many consider her one of England’s greatest queens. The 1500s
were a time of rapid change throughout Europe, and England was no exception. Go to this Elizabethan England website and choose
four (4) topics about life during this time period. Write a paragraph about each topic you researched.
Task 16: Hamlet time to complete task - 7 hours
Read Shakespeare Made Easy: Hamlet.
Or try the online version of No Fear Shakespeare is available here.
Complete the study guide.
Task 17: Themes in modern non-fiction time to complete task - 2 hours
Read “Why Revenge is Bad and Good” and “Vigilante Justice…”
Revenge is a common theme in life. We've all considered revenge against someone we feel has wronged us. Read these two articles, then
write an ABC essay on whether you think revenge is good or bad. Be sure to give specific examples from the article to back up your thesis.
Task 18: Essay time to complete task - 3 hours
Essay must be typed and submitted using Google Docs, unless you receive other instructions. You MUST DOUBLE-SPACE AND LEFT-JUSTIFY
YOUR PAPER. You must complete the rubric handout and turn it in to have your essay graded. Essay must be at least 400 words and include
examples from the play. Please note that the grading of your essay may take 24 hours or more. Write a reflective essay on one of the
following:
Choose 1 reflective essay topic:
- Write an essay on the decision-making process you used in making an important decision. As you write, reflect on Hamlet’s choices and his decision-making process.
- Write an essay on the following statement: Being inactive is more expensive than being proactive. Use examples from Hamlet to support your reflection.
- Write an essay on the following statements: Doing the right thing doesn’t always guarantee a positive outcome. Use examples from Hamlet to support your reflection.
Many contemporary songs are inspired by literature and share common ideas and themes. Pick a song or songs from the list below, which
share common ideas or themes from Hamlet. Write 1 ABC paragraph explaining how Hamlet and your selected song share a theme or idea.
See Music and Literature Assignment.
List of songs for Hamlet:
- “The War on Drugs” by the Barenaked Ladies
- “Nutshell” by Alice in Chains
- “Sleep to Dream” by Fiona Apple
Task 20: Art and Literature time to complete task - 2 hours
Go to this webpage: http://shakespeare.emory.edu/illustrated_playdisplay.cfm?playid=7
Choose 1 of the two activities:
1. Compare and contrast two paintings on the same subject. Analyze how they show the same scene from different perspectives.
2. Take a painting and explain how it relates to the same scene in Hamlet.
Task 21: Exam time to complete task - 1 hour
Must achieve a 70% or greater to pass.
Task 22: FIT/Grammar
Activities assigned on a daily basis.
Task 23: Contemporary Fiction time to complete task - 10 hours
Read The Life of Pi. In both The Life of Pi and Hamlet the main character experiences growth as a result of the death of family members and
the circumstances surrounding those deaths. Write a 200 word essay or multimedia project with presentation.
- Identify and discuss the one of the themes as portrayed in the book.
- Compare Pi's journey to Hamlet's journey
- You must increase your TABE score to receive credit for this section.
Task 24: Projects time to complete task - 6 hours
First Presentation: Prepare a presentation in which you discuss the themes from Hamlet across literature, film, art, and music.
Second Presentation: Prepare a presentation, using a different tool than the one used in the first presentation, in which you discuss a
different theme (than the first presentation) across the pieces you have studied.