Hamlet: To be or not to be?

Introduction

"There is something rotten in the state of Denmark!" 

We have all heard that expression before but what does it mean? Where did we get it from? Actually it is one of the most popular lines found within the Shakespearean tradegy Hamlet. It is a great play involving the supernatural, murder, insanity, and a very weird family. 

Today, using this WebQuest you will experience one of Shakespeare's most well-known and beloved plays. You shall learn more about the characters involved and their relationship with each other. So let's begin shall we?

Task

Based on the information that you will receive during this WebQuest

Your task will be to do the following:

1.Create a family tree for each characters found in Hamlet (Include the following: dates of birth and death, reason as to why they are deceased, their relationship with Hamlet, physical details, etc) 

2. Create a fake Facebook profile for two characters of your choice

Process

Personally, how would respond to the following:

Mom: Your father is dead.

Son: What?

Mom: And I married your uncle

Son: What!!!??!!!

Mom:....... Who maybe killed your father

Son: WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then your girlfriend drowns.

Well....this is, to summarize, what happened to Hamlet. In order to understand both the man and the play. You must do the following:

1. Watch the following clip-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a38HZFbhB-M

2. Compare what you have seen to a modern day soap opera. Are there any similiarites/differences? 

3. Look at the following website- 

http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_001.html

Answer the following questions:

a. What is Hamlet thinking about? Why?

b. What are, according to Hamlet, the better qualities of man? What are the worse?

c. What does this monologue reveal to us about his character?

4. Discuss with a partner your answers

5. Go to the following websites

http://shakespeare-navigators.com/hamlet/

1.What are the first three most asked questions about Hamlet posted on the website?

2.Based on this website, name all the major themes that appear in Hamlet.

3. Based on this website, give three passages that displays Hamlet's relationship with women.

http://triggs.djvu.org/global-language.com/ENFOLDED/

1. Name three criticisms about Hamlet that are discussed within this website

2. Give two Elizabethean Drama's not written by Shakespeare.

3. Name three editiors found on this site.

http://www.hamlethaven.com/

1. According to the website, whom is to blame for Ophelia's demise?

2. What is the play's view on friendship? Where in Hamlet can we see this? (Based on the website)

3. Is the Ghost of Hamlet's father real or a figment of his imagination? (look to The ghost on the character portion of the website) 

6. Construct a family tree of all the characters found within Hamlet

7. Then construct a fake facebook profile for two of the characters

Be sure to include:

Status-

Birthdate-

Likes/Dislikes-

Profile Picture-

*Send a message to other classmates character pages (Act as though the characters would be saying this not you) 

Evaluation

The following rubrics will be used when grading your Hamlet family tree and your fake facebook profile. Your grade will also include your class participation.

For Family Tree Rubric see below:

 

Criterion A – Content/Ideas

Criterion B - Organization

Criterion C – Style and Lang. Subcategory: Word Choice

Exceeds – 4 (100%)

Complete, accurate inclusion of all the following:

  • Incisive POV quote
  • Key achievements/events of character’s life
  • Complete genealogy/family tree
  • Bibliography—3+ credible sources
  • Attention-grabbing introduction and conclusion that leaves the reader intrigued about character
  • Key events listed in chronological order
  • Thoughtful transitions lead rdr thru begin, middle, end of life.
  • Details that provide a strong “picture” of the character
  • Strong use of active verbs
  • Control of everyday words & experimentation with new words or class vocabulary words
  • Nothing is overdone, vague, or flowery.

Meets – 3 (85%)

Inclusion of all the following:

  • POV quote
  • Achievements/events of character’s life
  • Genealogy/family tree
  • Bibliography—3 credible sources
  • Introduction and conclusion are included
  • Events listed in chronological order
  • Transitions are attempted for beginning, middle, end of life.
  • Details describe the character
  • Use of active verbs
  • Everyday words are used pretty well
  • Attempts to use new words or vocabulary; may miss the mark on occasion

Approaching – 2 (75%)

Incomplete 1 or more of following:

  • POV quote
  • Achievements/events of character’s life
  • Genealogy/family tree
  • Bibliography—3 credible sources
  • Introduction and conclusion are included
  • Events listed in chronological order
  • Transitions are attempted for beginning, middle, end of life.
  • Some details provided.
  • Dominant use of vague and/ or ordinary or “safe” words
  • Overuse of passive voice

Beginning – 1 (65%)

Missing 1 or more of following:

  • POV quote
  • Achievements/events of character’s life
  • Genealogy/family tree
  • Bibliography—3 credible sources
  • Introduction and/or conclusion are missing/incomplete
  • Events listed are confusing/ seem random
  • Few/no transitions leave the reader confused.
  • Few details provided
  • Words used are vaguue and/or redundant
  • Words may have been used that the author doesn’t understand or that are inappropriate.

No Evidence – 0 (50%)

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors above.

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors above.

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors above.

 

For the Fake Facebook Profile Page:

Rubric for Character Facebook Project

 

Section

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Image of characters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characters friends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wall Posts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something about yourself

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characters information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Themes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s on your mind?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall Presentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1 represents the lowest while 8 represents the highest)

Conclusion

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Well, Do you think that you could have survived all the tradegy that Hamlet had to suffer? Can you relate to him or any of the characters at all? Well we can definitely say that the royal family of Denmark is certainly not the family portrayed Brady Bunch. Hopefully this WebQuest increased your appreciation towards this play and fascination with Shakespeare.