Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy

Consists of a Murder that has to be avenged by a relative of the victim.

Typically, the victim’s ghost appears to demand revenge.

Madness of some sort is worked into the events.

This results in the death of the murderer, the avenger and a number of other characters.

Hamlet as Tragic HeroLook up “Tragedy” in your Literature Text.

Tragic Flaw:

“an error or defect in the tragic hero that leads to his downfall, such as greed, pride or ambition. This flaw may be the result of bad character, bad judgment, an inherited weakness, or any other defect in character.”

The Big Questions:What is Hamlet’s tragic flaw?

Is Hamlet truly mad?

Themes and IdeasAppearance vs. Reality

• Madness

Revenge

Justice: Moral and Ethical

Moral Ambiguity

Human Chain of Being

Play within a Play

Textual Ambiguity

Tips for ReadingDon’t skim or go too fast

Two fingered reading

Be patient

Look up words you don’t know

Write questions in the margins

Interact with the text…be an ACTIVE READER

Write small plot summaries in the margins next to the text.