AP Comp: Hamlet Soliloquy Activity
Hamlet Soliloquies: Close Reading Guide & Analysis Assignment
Hamlet’s soliloquies
1. “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,” (1.2.133-164) [31 lines]
2. “O all you host of heaven!” (1.5.99-116) [17 lines]
3. “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” (2.2.577-634) [57 lines]
4. “To be, or not to be—that is the question:” (3.1.64-98) [34 lines]
5. “’Tis now the very witching time of night,” (3.2.419-432) [13 lines]
6. “And so he goes to heaven,” (3.3.79-101) [22 lines]
7. “How all occasions do inform against me” (4.4.34-69) [35 lines]
Characteristics of these soliloquies:
I.
Density of thought
A. No word is wasted.
B. Every sound, every syllable expresses the depth of Hamlet’s reflection and the intensity of his
emotions.
II.
Beauty of language
A. Each is a piece of pure poetry, replete with images.
B. Each is written in blank verse.
C. Each is sustained by a rhythm, sometimes smooth, sometimes rugged, sometimes slow, but
always offering a surprise.
III.
Hidden plot of the play
A. Each one is a stage in Hamlet’s development.
B. This development represents man’s development.
ASSIGNMENT
PART 1: Analysis (25 points)
You will study five of the seven listed soliloquies and write an analysis of your selections. Do not write a
traditional paper with intro, body, etc. Instead, create a multifaceted report with each section labeled and
distinct from each other. However, you do need to write full paragraphs and use the text and other
sources for support.
Analyze each soliloquy in the following manner. Label each section:
1. Paraphrase the entire soliloquy. Make this original, not copied from others or online sources.
2. DIDLS: Identify imagery, motifs, and other literary devices (including allusions) and connect them to
the play as a whole.
3. TONE: Identify tone and tone shifts in the soliloquy.
PART 2: AP Questions (25 points)
You will be randomly assigned to a group and, collectively, you will choose one of the soliloquies you have
studied and prepare 10 AP style multiple-choice questions. See additional handouts.
1. The five most common question forms must be shown
2. You must include at least 2 questions about rhetorical devices
3. You must include at least 2 questions about the author’s meaning
4. You must include at least 2 questions about organization and/or structure
5. DO NOT require knowledge of texts beyond the soliloquy itself
6. Create at least 2 ‘easy’ questions and at least 2 ‘challenging’ questions
DUE DATES: Analysis _________ (Turnitin)
Questions _________ (In class)