CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Hamlet

by Stockton, Carla Lynn

• ISBN13: 9780764586033
• ISBN10: 0764586033
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-13
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes

Summary

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. Something may be rotten in the state of Denmark, but your grades will be sweet when you rely on CliffsNotes on Hamlet as you digest Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece. In this play, Hamlet explores the meaning of life, death, eternity, relationships, hypocrisy, truth, the existence of God, and almost anything else that concerns mankind. Character studies shed new light on Prince Hamlet, his father King Hamlet, the malevolent Claudius, the troubled Ophelia _ and the rest of the cast. You'll also explore the life and times of William Shakespeare, and unlock the play's themes and literary devices. Count on CliffsNotes on Hamlet for detailed summaries and commentaries on every scene to help you appreciate the complexity of the play. Other features that help you study include  Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays A review section that tests your knowledge Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure _ you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Author Biography

About the Author Carla Lynn Stockton, B.A., M.A., C.A.S., is a veteran teacher of English and Drama. In 1995, after a month of study through Roehampton University at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, she cofounded and codirected Voices, a semi-professional theater company dedicated to theater education and education through theater. Today Ms. Stockton is the Education and Development Director for Bagelfish Productions, LLC, in Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Life and Background of the Playwright	1	(4)
Personal Background	2	(2)
Introduction to the Play	4	(11)
Notes on Composition	5	(5)
A Brief Synopsis	10	(2)
List of Characters	12	(2)
Character Map	14	(1)
Critical Commentaries	15	(85)
Act I	16	(1)
Act I, Scene 1	16	(5)
Summary	16	(1)
Commentary	17	(2)
Glossary	19	(2)
Act I, Scene 2	21	(6)
Summary	21	(1)
Commentary	22	(3)
Glossary	25	(2)
Act I, Scene 3	27	(4)
Summary	27	(1)
Commentary	27	(2)
Glossary	29	(2)
Act I, Scene 4	31	(3)
Summary	31	(1)
Commentary	31	(1)
Glossary	32	(2)
Act I, Scene 5	34	(3)
Summary	34	(1)
Commentary	34	(2)
Glossary	36	(1)
Act II	37	(1)
Act II, Scene 1	37	(3)
Summary	37	(1)
Commentary	37	(1)
Glossary	38	(2)
Act II, Scene 2	40	(9)
Summary	40	(2)
Commentary	42	(3)
Glossary	45	(4)
Act III	49	(1)
Act III, Scene 1	49	(5)
Summary	49	(1)
Commentary	50	(3)
Glossary	53	(1)
Act III, Scene 2	54	(7)
Summary	54	(1)
Commentary	55	(3)
Glossary	58	(3)
Act III, Scene 3	61	(3)
Summary	61	(1)
Commentary	61	(1)
Glossary	62	(2)
Act III, Scene 4	64	(5)
Summary	64	(1)
Commentary	65	(2)
Glossary	67	(2)
Act IV	69	(1)
Act IV Scene 1	69	(2)
Summary	69	(1)
Commentary	69	(1)
Glossary	70	(1)
Act IV, Scene 2	71	(1)
Summary	71	(1)
Commentary	71	(1)
Glossary	71	(1)
Act IV, Scene 3	72	(3)
Summary	72	(1)
Commentary	72	(2)
Glossary	74	(1)
Act IV, Scene 4	75	(2)
Summary	75	(1)
Commentary	75	(1)
Glossary	76	(1)
Act IV, Scene 5	77	(4)
Summary	77	(1)
Commentary	77	(3)
Glossary	80	(1)
Act IV, Scene 6	81	(1)
Summary	81	(1)
Commentary	81	(1)
Glossary	81	(1)
Act IV, Scene 7	82	(4)
Summary	82	(1)
Commentary	83	(1)
Glossary	84	(2)
Act V	86	(1)
Act V, Scene 1	86	(5)
Summary	86	(1)
Commentary	87	(1)
Glossary	88	(3)
Act V, Scene 2	91	(9)
Summary	91	(2)
Commentary	93	(5)
Glossary	98	(2)
Character Analyses	100	(10)
Hamlet	101	(3)
Claudius	104	(1)
Gerrude	105	(1)
Polonius	106	(1)
Ophelia	107	(1)
Laertes	108	(1)
Horatio	108	(2)
Critical Essays	110	(7)
Free Will and Fate in Hamlet and Oedipus Rex	111	(3)
Ophelia's Dilemma	114	(3)
CliffsNotes Review	117	(4)
Q&A	117	(1)
Identify the Quote	118	(1)
Essay Questions	118	(1)
Practice Projects	119	(2)
CliffsNotes Resource Center	121	(4)
Books and Articles	121	(1)
Internet	122	(1)
Films	123	(1)
Send Us Your Favorite Tips	124	(1)
Index	125