Homework Due Thur., Jan. 21 (Churchill) / Fri., Jan. 22 (Sheldon)

Re-read/study/review Hamlet, focusing especially on passages in the packet.

Homework Due Tues., Jan. 19 (Churchill) / Wed., Jan. 20 (Sheldon)

Read/study Act V of Hamlet

and study ALL passages in packet.

Homework Due Tues., Jan. 12 (CHS) / Wed., Jan. 13 (Sheldon)

Finish closet scene close reading worksheet.

Read as much of Act 4 as you can!

Homework Due Fri., Jan. 8 (Alpha-Churchill) / Mon., Jan. 11 (Omega-Sheldon)

Hamlet Homework: Closet Scene from Gertrude’s POV

1. Re-read the “closet scene” (Act 3, Scene 4).

After you read it, or as you read it, consider (you don’t need to write this down; just think!): What is going through Gertrude’s mind in this scene? How does she feel about what Hamlet says and does? (Guilty? Frightened? Confused? Worried?) Why does she respond as she does? What does she know, if anything, about Claudius’s murder of King Hamlet? Why does she say she sees “black and grained spots” in her soul? What does she think when Hamlet starts talking to the ghost? What does she think about Hamlet’s sanity? What does she think about Polonius’s death? etc.

2. Now do this creative writing assignment:

Rewrite this scene (using modern prose) from Gertrude’s perspective. Write Gertrude’s inner monologue--what she is thinking as this scene is happening--or have her retell the story in her own words. Make sure that your piece carefully follows the progression of the scene and shows the thought processes behind Gertrude’s words and behavior, as well as her reactions to and thoughts about Hamlet’s behavior. (One useful way to think about this might be to imagine that you are an actor preparing to play the role of Gertrude, and you have to work through the scene to figure out what’s going on in her head before you can play her convincingly.) Pay attention to the details of the scene, but use your imagination and play around with the character, too!

Assessment will be based on thoroughness, thoughtfulness, accuracy (detailed reflection of the scene), creativity, and quality of writing. 20 points possible. Please type this assignment or write it legibly in black or dark blue ink.

Homework Due Thur., Jan. 7 (Sheldon)

Re-read/review/study Act 3.

Homework Due Tues., Jan. 5 (Sheldon) / Wed., Jan. 6 (Churchill)

Finish reading Act 3 of Hamlet.