Hamlet Close Reading

close reading

Hamlet

extract analysis

Introduction

sample analysis

exercise1

exercise2

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INTRODUCTION

CLOSE READING

The purpose of close reading is to unpack the structure and language within text so as to better understand and analyse its construction and, therefore, meaning. Read the tips section and then take a look at the extract example analysis before you have a go youself!

exercise 1

sample analysis

useful tips

exercise 2

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CLOSE READING

Useful Tips

Read the passage carefully(sounds obvious but details are easy to miss!).

Pause and reflect on it – its general meaning.

Who is speaking? To whom, if anyone are they speaking? Is it an aside, or direct? If it is dialogue, try to see how characters respond to one another – do they listen? Are they ignoring one another? What does this tell you?

Are there are moments of change or a shift in the tone?

How sincere are the characters being?

Is it verse, prose or a mixture of both? Does this help you as a reader or audience, hearing it spoken?What does the form add?

Re-read the text and note any striking vocabulary or phrases. Ascertain why they stand out to you. What effect do they have on the reader/ audience?

Are there any literary techniques being employed, such as assonance, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification etc.? If so, to what end?

Have you seen a performance of the play? If so, try to recall how this scene/ moment was done and use that interpretation to contrast/ compare with yours/ others.

Try to think about why Shakespeare has chosen to use a certain word, style or structure. Remember that he never used ‘assonance’, for example, to explore a subject; rather, the subject is enhanced by the literary technique.

10

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Sample Analysis

KING CLAUDIUS

thy

Take

Laertes;

fair

hour,

time be thine,

it at thy will.

spend

graces,

And thy

best

my

son?

and

now,

my cousin Hamlet,

But

HAMLET

more than kin, and less than kind.

A little

Tips

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Exercise: click on the words and respond to the prompts. Refer back to the list of tips for guidance.

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KING CLAUDIUS

you?

that the clouds

is it

still hang on

How

HAMLET

I am

Not so, my lord;

too much i' th' sun.

GERTRUDE

off,

nightly colour

cast

thy

Good Hamlet,

Tips

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Exercise: click on the words and respond to the prompts. Refer back to the list of tips for guidance.

CLOSE READING

GERTRUDE

thine eye

And let

look like

a friend

on Denmark.

with thy vailèd lids

for ever

Do not

Seek

noble father

for thy

in the dust;

all that lives must die,

Thou know'st

'tis common,

Passing through nature to eternity.

Tips

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Exercise: click on the words and respond to the prompts. Refer back to the list of tips for guidance.

CLOSE READING

HAMLET

it is common.

Ay, madam,

GERTRUDE

If it be

so particular with thee?

Why seems it

Next

CLOSE READING

Select the adjectives in this extract:

KING CLAUDIUS

Hamlet,

sweet

and

commendable

in

your

nature,

'Tis

To

give

these

mourning

duties

to

your

father;

But,

you

must

know,

your

father

father.

lost

father

lost,

lost

his,

and

the

survivor

bound

That

obligation

In

for

some

term

filial

sorrow.

To

obsequious

do

Next

CLOSE READING

Select the feminine endings:

KING CLAUDIUS

Hamlet,

sweet

and

commendable

in

your

nature,

'Tis

To

give

these

mourning

duties

to

your

father;

But,

you

must

know,

your

father

father.

lost

father

lost,

lost

his,

and

the

survivor

bound

That

obligation

In

for

some

term

filial

sorrow.

To

obsequious

do

Next

CLOSE READING

Is the following extract VERSE or PROSE?

KING CLAUDIUS 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father: But, you must know, your father lost a father; That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound In filial obligation for some term To do obsequious sorrow [...]

PROSE

VERSE

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CLOSE READING

Select the lines that do not conform to a pentameter:

KING CLAUDIUS 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,

To give these mourning duties to your father;

But, you must know, your father lost a father,

That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound

In filial obligation for some term

To do obsequious sorrow.

Have you completed all of the sections?

Introduction

Drag the ticks next to your completed sections!

Tips

Sample analysis

Exercise 1

Exercise 2