Pre-Show Activity: Exploring Themes & Quotes in Hamlet

DURATION: Approximately 3 hours

Overall Objective Students become more familiar with the text from Hamlet. Students gain new strategies for physically and vocally embodying classical texts.

Learning Objectives

Pre-performance: Students predict and anticipate themes in the play. Post-performance: Students compare predicted meanings of quotes to insights gained from watching the play.

Steps Activity

Instructions

1 5 minutes Preparation Read the quotes in Appendix A. Print the quotes single-sided, one quote per page, in large print. Select “mood music” that is conducive to group brainstorming and productivity.

2 45 minutes Exploration: Snowball

Select the quotes you wish to work with. Spread the pages throughout the room. Invite students to walk around the room, in silence, to read the quotes. While they are walking, play the mood music softly to promote a thoughtful atmosphere. When you press pause on the music, students stop at the quote they are closest to and form groups of 2 or 3. At this point, the groups will collectively discuss what they think the meaning of the quote is. Once 5 minutes or so elapses, continue playing the music and prompt students to continue moving around the room. Repeat the above steps until the students have participated in discussion groups for 4-5 different quotes.

Question: What do you think is the meaning of each quote? (Teacher adds context as the students respond to this question for each quote)

3 25 minutes Embodying Shakespeare’s text through action

Invite each student to choose one of the quotes. Students are then provided 5-10 minutes to physicalize the text with movement and gesture to create deeper meaning. This activity requires a breakdown and close analysis of the quote, and ultimately yields a deeper understanding of the text.

Example: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.” A student may choose to physicalize the line in a series of abstract movements, dance, symbols and/or gestures that represent each word.

Fun fact: This is often used as a memorization tool for actors!

Question: How did this exercise impact your understanding of the quote?

4 25 minutes Embodying Shakespeare’s text through voice

How many ways can you say it? If following the above activity, have students select a different quote. Invite them to experiment with placing emphasis on different words, one at a time. Observe how inflection changes the meaning of a sentence. Then, have the students assign emotions to shape the meaning of a line and see the way it changes (disappointment, sorrow, anxiety, etc.). Although this exercise can be completed sitting down at desks, it is recommended that the students stand in a circle to complete it.

Variations:

- Teacher selects a quote. Standing in a circle, each student repeats the same line in term, with a different emphasis. Reflect on insights. Repeat with different quotes.

5 30-60 minutes Mini Improvisational Sketches

Divide the students into small groups of 4-5. Assign each group of students with a quote and provide any relevant themes. Task them with creating an original scene that is inspired by that quote.

By doing so, students are challenged to predict what happens in a scene before they see the play. During the play, this exercise will prepare them for being more alert to listen for the quotes that they worked with in class. This exercise can be completed during one class or over the span of a few days.

Educator Assessment

Have students successfully predicted the meaning of each quote?

Have students showcased an increased level of comfort with the text? Have students used their voices and bodies to assign meaning to the text?