Hamlet 1. What is a revenge tragedy?

Drama in which the dominant motive is revenge for a real or imagined injury; it was a favourite form of English tragedy in the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras and found its highest expression in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. 2. Function of the play within the play Hamlet wants to see the Kings reaction when watching a play in which he inserts a scene like that of his fathers murder. 3. What are the features of Hamlets language? Imagery Shakespeare used a variety of language techniques throughout Hamlet, which contribute to the themes in the play. They also help to add more meaning and understanding for the audience. Soliloquies, word play, symbols and other figurative language are some of these important techniques that enhance Hamlet. The way Shakespeare switches from blank verse to prose with each character shows his mastery of the language. Imagery of poison, decay and disease are used by Shakespeare to represent the themes of illness, corruption and rottenness. The language is varied and links closely to other themes including appearance verses reality, death and suicide, revenge and grief. 4. How does Hamlet compare King Claudius and King Hamlet? Have you eyes?? Hamlet sees his father in ideal terms comparing him with classical deities and heroes. King Hamlet is something high. King Claudius is a disease that infects the healthy one. 5. Description of Hamlets personality He is idealist, which changes through the play. A suffering man, anxious melancholic and grieving. He is intelligent, he thinks before acting. Hamlet often thinks too much, and is not quick to make a decision. He does not like this quality in himself, and would like to be impulsive. Hamlet is depressed, clever, and hesitant. 6. Does Hamlet believe in the ghost? At first he does. He believes in the honesty of the ghost . Later he worries that the ghost is the devil trying to make him commit sins. 7. What is a soliloquy? Soliloquies are one way which the audience can find out a characters most inner thought. They play an important role in revealing certain themes of Hamlet. The main theme that is explored, is suicide and quality of life...Soliloquy is a device used in drama whereby a character speaks to himself and is alone on stage. He talks about his thoughts and reflections. 8. How does Hamlet see death? The weakness of human existence haunts Hamlet throughout the play. At the beginning of the play Hamlet sees death as a liberation.

9. What prevents Hamlet from committing suicide? The mistery of what comes after death. What dreams may come? And the idea that death is a mistery country of where nobody has returned. 10. TO BE OR NOT TO BE Hamlet ponders whether or not he wishes to exist, asking if it is better to struggle through the trials of life or commit suicide. He declares that death would be the better option if not for the unknown that death brings. It is this mystery that causes men to suffer instead of ending their lives. Hamlet makes questions and formulates thoughts which are not his own concern, in fact he never uses the words I or me. His soliloquy becomes a philosophical debate, which takes his dilemma from a personal to a universal level. Paradise Lost : SATANS SPEECH

1. What is Satans first reaction to the new place given him by God? What does Hell represent to him? He acknowledges the horrible nature of Hell. Hell represents his reign. 2. Is Satan as he appears in Book 1 of Paradise Lost, too great for his functional role as villain? Miltons Satan is an epic hero who dares to challenge the religious and natural order. He has many qualities that distinguish him as a hero. On the other hand he also has qualities which say he is a villain. He falls under most of the traditional definition of the literary hero; showing courage when faced with adversity, rallying others behind his cause, fighting for what he believes in. The impression that one gets after examining Satans speeches is that of nobility and greatness. But if we carefully examine Satan's speeches we will find that he is the personification of evil. 3. What does Satan mean when he says Better to reign in heaven than serve in Hell? This phrase shows Satan immense pride. He will never submit to Gods authority. He says that Its better to be a king than to serve someone. 4. What does power of mind mean? THE MIND IS ITS OWN PLACE Hell and Heaven are interchangeable for Satan. For him Heaven aNd Hell are states of mind, an individuals life and feelings are what he makes of them.