HAMLET: AN INSIDER’S GUIDE

Introduction to the tragedy

INSIDER’S GUIDE: FOLGERS’S LIBRARY

Watch the Folger’s Shakespeare Library

introduction to Hamlet. It’s a quick summary that

guides us through the play. Beware that it gives

away the play’s secrets.

What do you think the narrator means when he

says that we “know more of the language” than we

think? Why do you think the play has become so

central to our culture’s idea of revenge?

CHOOSE A QUOTE

http://

www.folger.edu/documents/HamletQuotesPhrases.pd

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Choose a quote from the “Key To Famous Lines and

Phrases” for your group.

The idea is to play with language – don’t worry

about knowing the context of the quote (or even

what it means, exactly!).

Watch the video called

“Is that your sandwich?”

“IS THAT YOUR SANDWICH?”

Write down your line on a sheet of

paper.

Paraphrase the line completely (don’t

leave out any words!). Do this the best

you can!

Read the line in many different ways

(just like in the video).

List some of the possible meanings of

the quote (3).

What adjectives can be used to

describe the line based on the different

kinds of meanings you discovered

above?

OBJECTIVES

In the theatre, an objective refers to that thing a character/actor wishes to

accomplish at a particular point in the play. Sometimes this is called a “beat” of

action. The important thing to note is that an objective is driven by action -- by an

active verb -- and that an objective must be something an actor can accomplish.

Examples: • I wish to gain my mother’s consent• I want to prevent my brother from getting angry

Note that the structure of these sentences are very simple: a subjects wants to do

something and get a specific, measurable response.

Objectives like these aren’t just invented; they are suggested by a close reading of

the text, Shakespeare or otherwise. Often, in rehearsal, actors test objectives against

the text to see what makes the best sense.

TACTICS

Tactics are those devices we use to aid in the attaining of our

objectives. So, for example, if the objective is, “I wish to gain

my mother’s consent,” the actor can choose “to flatter,” “to

threaten,” “to annoy.” These verbs are the helpers to the

success of attaining your objective.

How are you going to get your objective to happen?

OBJECTIVES & TACTICS

Now, come up with several objectives and tactics

for your quote – write each down (at least three!) on

your piece of paper.

PERFORMANCE

Working with your group -- your scene partners -- imagine

a scenario and stage your quote.

It doesn’t matter at this point whether what you stage has

anything to do with the play.

Your goal is to perform your quote using one objective and

tactic from your list in a situation of your own creation.

Take some risks and chance, and have fun with what you

come up with.