Introduction In literature as in life, even the most heroic characters are flawed, and must struggle against their own weaknesses to achieve good. In this scene from Hamlet, the Ghost will beckon his son to confront the moral corruption that has destroyed him, and that threatens to engulf the prince. In this lesson, students will reflect upon the power of corruption in Hamlet’s world and in their own, and will discover variations in Shakespeare’s text that influence both the characterization of Hamlet and the complexity of the dual themes of evil and redemption.

Goals: To understand the essential ideas in Hamlet’s speech through an analysis of his language; to question, listen, and contribute to ideas in group discussion; to compare textual variations and assess their impact on characterization and theme; to compare and contrast several film performances, with sensitivity to film’s verbal and nonverbal techniques.

Skills: critical thinking, collaborative learning, close reading, and language analysis.

How long: 1-2 class periods.

Suggested grade level: 9-12.

1. Review / preview: Ask students to explain Marcellus’s observation about rot in Denmark, spoken at the end of 1.4, in relation to what they know so far about the plot and characters in the play. Tell students that this simple line also expresses one of the play’s major themes, and this is what the lesson today will explore.

2. Unlocking the language: Assign parts and read aloud from line 1 to 41, stopping at Enter Ghost. After the first reading, instruct students to underline words they do not understand. Because students need to pay close attention to Hamlet’s speech (l.4.15-41), direct them to the explanatory notes that accompany the text in the Folger edition. Tell students that for now, they should limit their discussion of text to the meanings of individual words rather than whole sentences.

3. Getting at theme through language analysis: Write on the board or display on the overhead:

"The dram of evil

Doth all the noble substance of a doubt

To his own scandal."

Read aloud, several times, in several voices.

Perform a demonstration for the class: using a glass of water and an eyedropper, release red food coloring into the glass, speaking Hamlet’s lines as you do so. Ask students to think about what the demonstration might have to do with the words.

Another method of unlocking the language in this line may be to ask students to identify the nouns and adjectives they know. Underline those. You may get a sort of telegram that reads, "evil / noble substance / doubt / scandal." Point out that a "dram" means a small amount of something.

Again, ask students to link the water glass demonstration with the words. What is Hamlet saying about evil?

Ask students to think about other ways of showing the idea in these lines. (Some possible suggestions might include a worm in an apple, a tumor/alcohol/ drug in the body.) Tell students that they are making metaphors and using imagery. (Briefly review the terms.)

Finally, tell them they have created images of the nature of corruption, a key idea in this scene and in this play.

4. Getting at theme through reflection, writing, and discussion: To encourage reflection and to enrich the classroom conversation, give students two minutes to respond in writing to this prompt:

Do you agree that a small amount of evil is enough to corrupt something good?

We all have flaws and weaknesses: Are we doomed to failure because of them?

Begin by reading your own response. Encourage students to read theirs aloud or to respond to the thoughts of their peers.

It may be the case that in this classroom conversation, some of your students may have rejected or modified Hamlet’s thoughts, which is actually a perfect transition to the next part of the lesson.

5. Comparative reading of textual variants: Ask students to scan Hamlet’s speech (l.4.15-41) for words, phrases, or lines that soften the harsh message of evil and corruption and convey a more hopeful, forgiving tone. For example, students may select lines 28-29, "As in their birth (wherein they are not guilty, Since nature cannot choose his origin)." Less able students may be encouraged to string together words with positive connotations, such as "our achievements…performed at the height…virtues…pure as grace."

Tell students that as they continue to read Hamlet, a revenge play, they will need to watch what happens to forgiveness in this play.

Visit the Ramparts Reading Room with your students in search of Hamlet’s speech. You will find that the speech you just studied is only in the Second Quarto!

Using the First Quarto text, ask a student to read aloud from Horatio’s question (1.4.14) to Enter the Ghost (1.4.42). Then refer students to the Second Quarto, where Horatio’s question can be found at (1.4.14), to Enter Ghost at (1.4.42). Have them read for comparison.

Ask students how the omission of so much of Hamlet’s speech affects the scene. What is gained? What is lost? (Students may note that while the plot speeds more efficiently toward the Ghost’s dramatic entrance, Hamlet seems less thoughtful or less complicated.)

Extending the lesson: Independently or during the next class period, send students to the Hamlet on the Ramparts site to view art and production stills for the 1.4 stage direction, "Enter Ghost." Just as students analyzed texts for the themes of revenge and forgiveness, now they can collect, compare, and analyze images for such elements as mood, imagery, and symbolism.

Links:

Full Text of Hamlet 1.4 - 1.5

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