Hamlet - Study Guide

Through William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of death, revenge, and madness, students will learn:

Author Biography: Learn more about William Shakespeare.

Background Information: Learn about the Anglo-Saxons, the Christian roots of the Viking chieftain Canute, and Denmark’s control of Northern Europe in the early 1000’s. Find out about Kronborg Castle and the inspiration behind the story.

Before-You-Read Activities: Learn about European geography, informative report and research on depression, ghosts, travel videos, Shakespeare biography.

Vocabulary words used throughout the novel, utilizing a variety of activities to stimulate retention and growth.

Literary Techniques: In context, character study, couplet, aside, soliloquy, foreshadowing, summarizing, synonyms, paradox, dialogue analysis, dumb show, end-rhymes, chorus, compare & contrast, comic relief, main & minor characters, conflict, complications, protagonist/antagonist, tragic flaw, hamartia, theme, tragic play structure, revenge tragedies.

Moral Lessons and Character Values: Weakness and sin, revenge vs. justice, man’s place in the world, fear & indecision, death, prayer, guilt, insanity, reason & honor, spiritual fate, suicide, friendship.

Activities and Writing Assignments: Biblical ghosts & witches, Purgatory research, harbingers & moral decay, symbolic meanings of plants/flowers research, well-known lines & phrases, drama performance, time line, multiple essay ideas, multiple creative writing ideas.

Suggestions for Further Reading: We include an in-depth reading list of more plays by the same author(s) and other books that tie in with, or are similar to, Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Movie suggestions included.

All of the unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview!

Features and Benefits of the study guide

Printed Workbook Format

• Large 8.5x11 format is convenient to read and easy on the eyes
• Every question has plenty of whitespace for student’s answers
• Encourages neat and clean handwriting practice
• Easily transports without the need for a laptop or other expensive equipment
• Provides a permanent record of the student’s work
• Convenient, removable answer key included for the teacher!