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Ophelia Crush on Hamlet Noble family Daughter of Polonius, the king’s advisor Sister of Laertes Considered potential match for Prince Hamlet by society
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HamletAn Introduction
Hamlet• Prince of Denmark• Was away at college, came home• Dad (King Hamlet) is dead• Depressed about dad’s death• Uncle Claudius is now king• Mom, Gertrude, remarried to
Claudius• Mad at mom and uncle• Eye on Ophelia
Ophelia• Crush on Hamlet• Noble family• Daughter of Polonius, the king’s
advisor• Sister of Laertes• Considered potential match for
Prince Hamlet by society
Polonius• King’s advisor• Dad of Ophelia and Laertes• Always giving “advice” … usually
wrong• An old, meddling gossiper• Wants Ophelia and Hamlet to get
married
Gertrude• Hamlet’s mom• Widow of dead King Hamlet• Remarried to Claudius, her
brother-in-law and current king• Worried about Hamlet’s
depression• Doesn’t seem very sad about
husband’s death
Claudius• Brother to former king (who is now
dead)• Has taken over the thrown• Married Gertrude, his widowed
sister-in-law• Now Hamlet’s step-dad• Doesn’t seem very sad about his
brother’s death
Horatio• Hamlet’s best friend• Goes to college with Hamlet
Laertes• Brother to Ophelia• Son of Polonius• Not sure he wants his sister dating
Hamlet
Dead king Hamlet• Haunts castle grounds• Was a really good husband and
father while alive• Trying to send a message to son
Tragedy• Tragic hero (Hamlet) has an inner flaw (hamartia)• This inner flaw leads to his downfall (and the downfall of others)• Events of story cause audience to have a vicarious emotional
cleansing (catharsis)• Catharsis occurs after the audience witnesses a spectacle (a
monstrous event)
Setting• Royal palace in Elsinore, Denmark• 14th or 15th Century
Themes to look for• Revenge is a dangerous task.• Indecisiveness is as destructive as making the wrong decision.• Lies beget more lies.
Justice• Who is responsible for ensuring justice?• Is finding justice always worth it?• To what degree are we responsible for our impact on others?• Who is the ultimate measurer of injustice?