R English 4 Hamlet Analysis of themes and motifs Rachel Lenkei

November 22, 2013

Overview/Rationale: This unit will focus on one of Shakespeares tragic plays, Hamlet. Through guided reading of the play in class, and close
reading of the text, students will be able to interpret and analyze Shakespeares writing structure and use of language. The students will also engage in discussions about the how the language of the play contributes to and helps to develop the plot, themes, characterization, and symbols. This unit is designed to enable students to more deeply comprehend Hamlets character and his transformation throughout the play, making connections to the course the mes of image and identity construction in text.

Enduring Understandings:
The language, words, and dialogue of a text are essential to understanding the progression of a plot and the development of characters

Essential Questions:
How are images and identities of characters created in a text? How is Hamlets decision making process shown throughout the play?

Objectives:
Students will be able to: o Apply knowledge of language analysis to close reading of text o Identify elements of figurative language in the text

Materials: Student copies of Hamlet, poster paper, handouts with quotes, markers Procedures: Warm-up: o Pass out sheets of paper with Hamlet quotes Students will silently write comments, questions, thoughts about the quote on the paper, and then pass paper onto next student o After 5-7 minutes, collect papers from students Instruction: o Have students get into groups of 3 or 4 o Groups will be given a theme or motif that has appeared in the text (Appearance vs. reality; nature; heaven vs. hell; head vs. heart; disease and decay; silence) o Groups will: Find another key line related to theme Present theme or quote in an image or illustration Analyze the quotes and then connect to rest of text o On poster paper, groups will visually display information gathered through text and pictures o Groups will present information to the class, and other students will take notes on each groups findings Assessment: Participation in group work; group presentations Standards:
o o CC.1.3.11-12.A: Determine and analyze the relationship between two or more themes or central ideas of a text, including the development and interaction of the themes; provide an objective summary of the text. CC.1.3.11-12.B: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and conclusions based on and related to an authors implicit and explicit assumptions and beliefs. CC.1.3.11-12.E: Evaluate the structure of texts including how specific sentences, paragraphs and larger portions of the texts relate to each other and the whole.

R English 4 Hamlet Analysis of themes and motifs Rachel Lenkei

November 22, 2013

Reflections: