Literature Made Easy Hamlet

by McCarthy, Shaun; Buzan, Tony

• ISBN13: 9780764120657
• ISBN10: 0764120654
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-01
• Publisher: Barrons Juveniles

Summary

Perhaps the most famous of all of Shakespeare's tragedies is summarized, with special attention given to the play's many complex characters. Titles in this growing series for middle school and high school students analyze novels and plays that are included in most schools' English Lit. curricula. Literature Made Easy books are more than plot summaries. They analyze characters, explain themes, and point out details that make each author's writing style unique. Each book also features "Mind Maps"--diagrams that summarize the work's most important details and serve as stimuli to help students focus their ideas for exams and term papers.

Table of Contents

How to study	v
How to use this guide	xiii
Key to icons	xiv
Context	1	(7)
Sources	1	(2)
What is ``revenge tragedy''?	3	(2)
The text	5	(1)
``Back-story''	6	(2)
The story of Hamlet	8	(3)
Characterization	11	(18)
The royal family:
Hamlet: I am but mad north-north-west	11	(4)
Claudius: smiling, damned villain	15	(2)
Gertrude: most seeming-virtuous queen	17	(1)
The Ghost: spirit of health or goblin damned	18	(1)
The chief statesman's family:
Polonius: a man faithful and honorable	19	(3)
Laertes: a very noble youth	22	(1)
Ophelia: divided from herself	23	(1)
Others:
Horatio: more antique Roman than a Dane	24	(1)
Rosencratz and Guildenstern: those bearers put to sudden death	25	(1)
Osrick: a waterfly	26	(1)
Fortinbras: I have some rights of memory in this kingdom	26	(3)
Themes	29	(7)
Revenge	30	(1)
Words and actions	30	(1)
Madness	31	(1)
Corruption	32	(1)
Mortality	33	(1)
Theater	33	(3)
Language, style, and structure	36	(5)
Poetry and prose	36	(2)
Imagery	38	(1)
Structure	39	(2)
Commentary	41	(52)
Act 1	41	(9)
Act 2	50	(8)
Act 3	58	(16)
Act 4	74	(8)
Act 5	82	(11)
Critical approaches	93	(5)
Textual analysis	98	(4)
How to get an ``A'' in English Literature	102	(1)
The exam essay	103	(1)
Model answer and essay plan	104	(6)
Glossary of literary terms	110	(3)
Index	113