Hamlet+scene

Preparing Scenes for Performance

1.5. --113 (“Wither wilt thou lead me?” to “Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me”). LINES: Hamlet 13; Ghost, 88

2.2.172-218 (“How does my good Lord Hamlet?’ to “These tedious old fools”). LINES: Polonius, 24ish; Hamlet, 27ish

2.2.221-311 (“My honored lord” to “man delights not me”) LINES: Guildenstern, 11ish; Rosencrantz, 17; Hamlet, 72ish

Follow the steps listed below. Your goal is to communicate the written text, to “flesh out” the character you will perform. Focus on tone of voice, stress and inflection, effective use of pauses, and, at least one movement.

Read your part ALOUD several times.

Check the definitions of words you don’t know.

Answer the following questions about your character to help you with your interpretation. Post these to your page in the wiki. What does your character want in the chosen scene? What does the character do to get it? What obstacles stand in his or her way? How does your character really feel about what is happening in the scene? How can you tell? What do other characters say about your character in the scene? What does the character’s language reveal about his or her personality? Think about the meaning behind his or her words. Write down a few phrases he says that might demonstrate something about his personality or are characteristic of his mode of expression. How does this scene add to your knowledge of the character?

Look at relationships among characters in the scene. Be careful to position your bodies to reflect this understanding.

Use both the text and your own creativity to help you find a suitable prop or costume that represents your character.

Arrange a rehearsal with other students in your scene before you perform.