for 8 classes
To Be or Not to Be: A Character Analysis of Shakespeare's Hamlet
Completed by 4 learners
Ages 14-18
Live Group Class
Live video meetings
1x per week, 8 weeks
1-6 learners per class
80 min
What's included
8 live meetings
10 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Each week, students will have a reading or writing assignment. In weeks one through five, students will be required to read one act of Hamlet to discuss during that week's class time. In week six, students will be required to write an outline. In week seven, students will be required to finish a rough draft and revise this draft into a final, three to five-page character analysis essay for presentation and discussion during week eight's class time.Assessment
I will provide a letter grade and assessment of each student's participation and essay.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
In this class, students will read, study, and analyze William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Each week, prior to class, students will be required to read a specific segment of Hamlet to discuss and analyze in that week's class. The students will be asked to take notes over the plot and characters in the play. By the end of class, students will have written a three to five-page character analysis of one of the characters in the play. Students will have a choice of characters they prefer to write about. However, two or multiple students cannot select the same character. In week one of this class, students will study Act One of Hamlet. Students should come to class prepared, having read Act One and should be prepared to discuss and take notes over the plot and characters in this act. In week two of class, students will study Act Two of Hamlet. Again, students should be ready to discuss and take notes over this act in class. They will have read Act Two prior to coming to class. In week three, students should have read Act Three of Hamlet prior to class. We will discuss and take notes about this act during class time. In week four, learners will have read Act Four of Hamlet and should be prepared to study and take notes over this act during class time. In week five, we will study and discuss the final act of Hamlet. Students should come to class having read this act. We will discuss and take notes over Act Five during class time. In week six, we will spend class time discussing the character traits of the characters in the play. During this class, students will select a character about whom they would like to write their character analysis. Students will be asked to select their top three choices to ensure that everyone gets one of their favorite characters. We will spend whatever class time is left, discussing how to begin a character analysis essay. We will focus on outlining. Students will be taught how to outline an essay by focusing on specific traits and actions of the characters in Hamlet. After class time, if students would like to submit their outline, via the Outschool portal, for review, I will read it and offer helpful suggestions prior to week seven's class. In week seven, students will be taught how to write a three to five-page character analysis essay. This class will focus on how to structure the essay and cite sources according to MLA format. We will touch on proper grammar. They will be taught how to follow their outline to help structure their essays. Students will have time to begin writing their rough drafts and ask questions after the teaching period. After class time, students will be able to submit their rough drafts to me via the Outschool portal. I will check and review and offer suggestions prior to week eight's class. Students will be presenting their final essays in week eight. Therefore, I recommend students submit rough drafts toward the middle of the week. This will allow plenty of time for them to make any revisions prior to week eight's class. In week eight, students will present their character analysis essays. If students do not feel comfortable reading in front of the class, they can make arrangements to have me read their essays. This class will focus on student essays and discussion of the character analyses. I will teach this class through discussion and PowerPoint presentations. I teach through interaction with the students and their interaction with each other. Discussion is of utmost importance. I believe students learn best when they enjoy what they are learning and when the learning environment promotes discussion. Learners should come to class prepared to think about the plot of and characters in Hamlet, to write about their observations, and to have fun in class. Shakespearean plays can seem intimidating, but with careful observation and discussion, studying them can be an enjoyable experience.
Learning Goals
Students will learn to analyze, understand, and write about a chosen character from William Shakespeare's classic work Hamlet.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a story of murder and insanity. It includes murder, suicide, and the insanity of characters. This play may not be suitable for some readers. Parents should consider if the content is appropriate for their student(s).
Supply List
Students will need to bring to class materials for note-taking. They will need access to either word processing software or paper for writing their essays. Hand-written essays will be accepted as long as they are formatted according to MLA guidelines.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will refer to William Shakespeare's Hamlet throughout the class.
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 Degrees
Master's Degree in History from Liberty University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Liberty University
Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University
I have master's degrees in history, professional writing, and human services counseling. Other than having studied Shakespeare and other classic literature, plays, and poetry in my own higher education and/or on my own over the course of many years, I also teach my own high schoolers how to understand, interpret, and appreciate Shakespeare in our homeschool. I teach several critical analysis (including character analysis) classes via Outschool. For our homeschooling co-op, I teach middle schoolers and high schoolers how to examine classic and current poetry and literature as well as history. Classic literature and poetry are my passion.
Reviews
Other classes by Kandy Crosby-Hastings
Other classes by Kandy Crosby-Hastings
Parents also liked
Time Travel in Literature
William Council
4.9
(206)
per class
Next session at 4 PM on Wednesday
Group Class
15 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
12-18
Literature on Film
Courtney Runchey
4.9
(59)
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
14-18
6th Grade Literature - Perspectives
William Council
4.9
(206)
per class
Next session at 2:30 PM on Friday
Group Class
16 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
9-14
12th Grade Literature
William Council
4.9
(206)
per class
Next session at 7 PM on Wednesday
Group Class
16 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
15-18
Holes: Literature Study and Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,158)
per class
Next session at 10 PM on Monday
Group Class
10 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
12-16
11 Grade Literature
William Council
4.9
(206)
per class
Next session at 5:30 PM on Wednesday
Group Class
16 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
13-18
1-on-1 English Tutor: Literature and Writing (30 Min.)
Literature with Professor Rachel
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
12-18
The Elephant Girl: Literature Study and Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,158)
per class
Next session at 2 PM on Monday
Group Class
10 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
8-12
One on One Literature Discussions With Mr. Hodge
Mr. Hodge
4.9
(62)
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
13-18
The Magic of Harry Potter: A Film & Literature Study
Robert Jerome Pagan
per class
Next session at 7 PM on Tue 6/10
Group Class
3 wks, 3/wk, 1.17 hr
13-18
8th Grade Literature - Science Fiction and Fantasy Classics
William Council
4.9
(206)
per class
Next session at 4 PM on Friday
Group Class
16 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
13-16
Classic Literature: Novel Study
Kaitlyn Fischer: A Guided Reading Teacher
5.0
(1,019)
per class
Next session at 3 PM on Monday
Group Class
6 wks, 1/wk, 45 min
13-18
Bud Not Buddy: Literature Study and Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,158)
per class
Next session at 10 PM on Friday
Group Class
10 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
9-12
Where The Red Fern Grows: Literature Study Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,158)
per class
Next session at 2 PM on Thursday
Group Class
5 wks, 2/wk, 50 min
10-14
1-on-1 English Tutor: Literature and Writing (1 Hr.)
Literature with Professor Rachel
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
12-18
8th Grade Literature - Fiction and Non Fiction
William Council
4.9
(206)
per class
Next session at 7 PM on Thursday
Group Class
16 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
12-16
More to explore
Science And Craft
Daily
Anime Sketching
Coding And Animation
Sushi Making
Essential Student Skills
Beginner Fractions
Montessori Stamp
Spanish Flexible
Making Plushies
Japanese 13
Response Writing
Unity First
Dragon Clay
Advanced Baking
Craft Five Paragraph Essay
French Reading
Website
Flexible Schedule Multiplication Boot
Order Of Operations