First Stop: Let's Learn something about the bard

It helps to know something about the people, place, politics, and theatre of Shakespeare's time to truly appreciate his brilliance as a wordsmith. The following presentation will help.

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Hamlet: beyond the famous soliloquy

To be or not to be? In this lesson, that really is the question. Watch this video to learn all about Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's great tragedies. We'll explore its plot, characters and the meaning of that famous phrase.

Click here to open the Educational Portal lesson on Hamlet:  Beyond the Famous Soliloquy  as taught by Ellie Green

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Let's have some fun with Hamlet.

1. Hamlet the Simpsons' Way

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2. Hamlet the Spongebob Squarepants Way.

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3. No Fear Shakespeare in Reverse
So, how would Shakespeare translate a saying from today? Check out the following document created by the team at No Fear Shakespeare.

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Now Let's Get Serious about Hamlet

When people discuss Hamlet the first thing out of their mouths is "it is a revenge play." True, the central idea that kicks off the story is Hamlet's need to avenge his father's murder. But, there are more elements to the play than revenge that make it enduring. As David Tennant points out in the video below, Hamlet is also about the "grieving process." The grief one feels for the sudden loss of a beloved parent, or any cherished loved one -- especially when the grief is new and at its most poignant.

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Plotting Hamlet