This week we are focusing on the Ghost's story in Act 1 scene 5 of "Hamlet"and on the meaning of the "context" of the play. The context of a work of literature includes:
- historical background/time period
- developments in science/art/literature
- culture
- social life of the time
- religion/religious life of the time period
- structure of society (e.g. class)
- new discoveries
- attitudes
Any of these may have influenced the writer and may be reflected in the literature of a time period.
Find out more about Shakespeare's time period and life in Elizabethan/Jacobean England using the links on the sidebars on this site. Make notes and keep them for the next lesson to discuss and present.
Homework:
- Read the whole of Act 1 in the script;
- Make notes on the major characters.
