Comprehention

1. Focus on lines 1-5. Consider the two metaphors:

'...to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'

'to take arms against a sea of troubles'

Whichmetaphor represents passive submission to the injustice and suffering of life and which one suggests active rebellion?

2. What does Hamlet compare death to in lines 5-10?

3. Which expression in line 10 interrupts Hamlet's flow of thoughts and introduces a different line of reasoning?

4. In line 12 Hamlet says that when we die we are freed from 'this mortal coil'. Consider the meaning of 'coil' given in the glossary and explain what Hamlet
means in your own words.

5. In lines 15-21 Hamlet describes the suffering and injustices of life. Find expressions which refer to the following:

- unrequited love......................................................................................................

- inefficiency in legal procedures...........................................................................

- political oppression..............................................................................................

- ageing...................................................................................................................

- mistreatment by authority ……………………………………………………………...

- contempt................................................................................................................

- unjust criticism.....................................................................................................

6. What escape from life's misery does Hamlet suggest in lines 20-21?

7. In line 22 Hamlet uses the expression 'to grunt and sweat'. Which negative aspect of life is he drawing our attention to?

• Social discrimination

• Political injustices

• Emotional turmoil

• Physical hardship

Which expressions suggest that man is nothing more than a beast of burden?

8. What is the 'undiscovered country' from which no traveller returns, which Hamlet refers to in lines 24-25?

9. What, according to Hamlet, stops man from taking action? (Lines 28-33)

ANALYSIS

1. Which semantic field do the expressions 'slings and arrows' (line 3) and 'to take arms' (line 4) belong to? What image of life do they suggest?

2. By comparing death to sleep (lines 5-10) does Hamlet depict it positively or negatively?

3. In the opening ten lines of Hamlet's speech each infinitive is balanced by another of similar or opposite meaning. Link each of the infinitives in column A of the table below with an infinitive in column B.

A	to be	to suffer	to die	to sleep
B	to take arms	to dream	not to be	to sleep

4. Focus on lines 9-10: 'To die - to sleep -/To sleep! perchance to dream'. What effect does the repeated use of infinitives create?

• A soft, lulling effect

• A harsh, rhythmic effect

5. In his list of the injustices man suffers (lines 15-21) Hamlet usespersonification. In line 15 time is personified and described as having 'whips' and 'scorns'. Can you find other examples of personification in lines 15-21?

6. Which expression in line 30 parallels and contrasts with the expression 'natural hue of resolution' in line 29? Which words in line 30 link thought and
disease?

7. Which of the following adjectives would you choose to describe the tone of Hamlet's speech? Justify your choice by referring to the text.

• Angry • Optimistic

• Proud • Philosophical

• Ironic • Melancholic

• Passionate • Dejected

8. In this speech Hamlet does not use the pronouns “I” or “me”. Which personal pronouns does he use and who do they refer to? Would you consider the speech to be:

• Hamlet's personal reflections on his immediate situation?

• a general analysis of the human condition?

On the basis of the answers you have given can you |explain the universal appeal of the speech?

9. What aspects of Hamlet's character emerge from the speech?

· His confusion

· His lack of courage

· His melancholy nature

· His strong religious convictions

· His weariness

· His desire for revenge

· His hatred of his uncle

· His indecision

· Other:...........................................................................................................

WRITER’S WORKSHOP

Soliloquy ◊ Soliloquy is a theatrical convention in which a character speaks aloud to himself. The character may not necessarily be alone on the stage; other characters may be present but if they are, it is assumed they do not hear the words of the soliloquy. The playwright uses soliloquy to convey directly to the audience the character's motives, intentions and his innermost feelings and thoughts, or simply to fill in parts of the story.

Task

Which of the following purposes does the soliloquy you have just read serve?

• To fill in parts of the story

• To explain Hamlet's motives

• To outline Hamlet's intentions

• To convey Hamlet's feelings about his immediate situation

• To express Hamlet's thoughts on fundamental human problems

Over to you ◊ Soliloquy is used to develop the story or to help the audience to understand the inner feelings of a character. Can you think of a similar convention that is often used in cinema for the same purposes?

OUT

In the speech you have read. Hamlet is asking the question, 'What makes life worth living?' He wonders if it would not be easier to commit suicide than have to deal with all the problems and difficulties that life throws up. Human beings in general, however, seem to have an indomitable will to live and, unlike Hamlet, feel that life is worth living. What small and big things make life worth living for you? Example: The smell of freshly baked bread Friends A spring morning

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14