Tuesday, 2/4 - Examination in the Senate

Hamlet is so . . . exciting, riveting, even . . . to this chair.

• P&P

• I am here to examination you. Be examinationed, then ; )

HW: Read Leithart's "Introduction: Tragedy" and also his introductory remarks on Hamlet (Here is a link - pages 111-120 or so). Basically, you may stop reading when you hit the "Lesson One: Act 1" section. Then do the questions below and upload your assignment to Google Drive.

J4 - Intro to Tragedy and Hamlet

1. According to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, what makes a drama a tragedy?
2. What kind of protagonist is generally required for a successful tragedy and why?  
3. List several of the ways that Shakespearean tragedy differs from Sophoclean (or Greek) tragedy.
4. Given that the shape of Hamlet is a "Fall story," what types of characters, events, and ideas ought we to be looking for as we read?
5. Why is Hamlet such a popular drama?
6. What are two of the minor textual problems in Hamlet? What is one major problem?
7. Give two examples of the way Hamlet shows signs of compositional unity.
8. Cite two reasons why Leithart considers Hamlet a drama that condemns the revenge ethic.
9. Rather than viewing Hamlet as having "contradictions" and "loose ends," Leithart suggests that Shakespeare was making what profound observation?
10. How is Hamlet healthy reading for those who live in an age "dominated by scientific idolatry"?