Shakespeare's Hamlet
Studying Shakespeare is one of the most challenging and rewarding facets of high-school English. This unit will examine in depth one of Shakespeare’s most engaging plays. Hamlet provides us with one of world literature’s most perplexing and endearing protagonists. When we delve into the mind of this character of astonishing complexity, we learn both about the world of literature and ourselves. Each week, we will read through scenes out loud and analyse key speeches, soliloquies, characters and themes. Everyone is expected to practise reading and decoding Shakespeare’s poetry, and should be prepared to offer their own opinions on the value of learning Shakespeare in the 21st century. Lively discussion will help us generate the best ideas for original, coherent critical writing.
Students must have a copy of the play ready for the course. The Cambridge or Arden editions are preferred.
Students are advised to read the text before the course begins.