Hamlet Lesson Plan

Gertrude on Trial

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will present and defend an argument based on a close reading of the text.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1

Structure:

Is Gertrude a villain or heroine? Over the years, scholars have debated her role in the play: Were she and Claudius having an affair before Old Hamlet's death? If so, was she complicit in Old Hamlet's murder? Or is she just another innocent victim of Claudius' crimes?

Since Gertrude is not afforded an extended soliloquy along the lines of Hamlet's or Claudius' (or even an aside, for that matter), we know...