#2 - Hamlet UNIT - 15%

Alright, let's get into this. This will be your first full unit for this course, and we might as well start with a BANG!

You're going to study one of Shakespeare's most important plays - the story of the Prince of Denmark.

Now don't worry too much - I am not going to ask you to read this play. Plays aren't meant to be read, they're meant to be watched and listened to - so that's what you're going to do. You'll finish the unit doing a study of Kenneth Brannaugh's version of Hamlet (we have it on iPads #15-20), but I feel the best first look at the play is tobe found in an app called Shakespeare in Bits (or Hamlet in Bits, in this case). It's an animated version of the action, and what's nice is it is loaded with extra features including scene summaries, character analysis, and modern English translations. Use it and enjoy the drama!

Step 1. 

Once you've watched/listened to the play (perhaps while you listen/watch) I want to check your understanding of the events - so please answer these content questions. Your answers don't need to be long, but they need to be complete. Talk to me if you're unsure.

Step 2. 

Great, so now you have some context - you know the story, so now we can dig a little deeper. I would like you to use your creativity gene - first for a 'creative' character analysis, and then with a 'creative' personal response. Find that assignment here.

Step 3. 

Finally, I would like you to watch Kenneth Brannaugh's 1996 version of Hamlet. It's one of the most expensive and beautiful versions of the story ever put to film, and it has a star studded cast. Brannaugh, being an interesting artist in his own right couldn't help but make his own directorial decisions in creating his own sketch of the Danish drama. As mentioned above, the film is available on the iPads #15-20.

Watch it, and then write about it.

 No whinning, this is a University prep course - and you will write a lot of essays if you choose to go to University, so you need some practice. Here's the assignment sheet for this essay which explains what I'm looking for.

And here's the rubric for the essay. Enjoy!