Semester 2
Unit 2: Drama – The Revenge Play
Text and Resources:
Applied Practice in Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Austin, TX: Applied Practice, 1999.
Hamlet. Dir. Kenneth Branagh. Perf. Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Billy Crystal, Gerard Depardieu, Charlton Heston, Derek Jacobi, Jack Lemmon,
Rufus Sewell, Robin Williams, and Kate Winslet. Videocassette. Castle Rock Entertainment, 1996.
Humble, Sally, and Thomas Humble. Teacher’s Manual for an Advanced Placement Course in English Literature and Composition. 3rd Ed. NC: Duke
University Talent Identification Program, 1999.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark. Eds. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press,
1992.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark. Perf. Kenneth Branagh, Sir John Gielgud, Derek Jacobi, and Emma Thompson.
Audio CD. Random House Audio, 1993.
Rationale:
The play Hamlet provides AP students with an opportunity to explore the existentialist theory and the qualities of the revenge tragedy. In addition, a character study of Hamlet enables students to understand how a writer can reveal a hero who recognizes the irony of heroism and the ambiguity of good and evil. Hamlet’s internal and external quests provide ample examples for a thorough character study and a basis to analyze the complex relationships in the play. The assignments in this unit are completed during a six week period over approximately eighteen days.
Writing:
Study Questions
Literary Analysis Essay
Dialectical Journals
Critical Article Summary-Response
Book Card
Timed Writing (Unit Exam)
Study Questions:
Instructions:
Background Notes:
Text: