One Line, Many Meanings—Hamlet Log Mrs. Coogan AP Literature and Composition

Directions:

Within each reading section listed below, choose one line/sentence (which means it might span more than one line due to enjambment) from the selection that you feel embodies some major concept in the text. In other words, you are looking for a single statement that encapsulates the essence of one of the characters, themes, action, etc.

Copy the line(s) and respond in a paragraph or so that incorporates the following, where applicable:

 Who is saying the line, and in what context?  What does this line say about the person speaking it? The person being spoken to?  What could he/she be feeling when saying this?  What might he/she be trying to avoid by saying this?  What other choices could the character have made in dealing with the situation?  What may be a limitation due to the character’s present choice of words/course of action?  What might be foreshadowed by this character’s statement?  Is there anything unusual/noticeable/remarkable in the language used in this line?

Reading sections:

1. 1.1-2 (I.i-ii) 2. 1.3 (I.iii) 3. 1.4-5 (I.iv-v) 4. 2.1 (II.i) 5. 2.2 (II.ii) 6. 3.1 (III.i) 7. 3.2-3 (III.ii-iii) 8. 3.4 (III.iv) 9. 4.1-7 (IV.i-vii) 10. 5.1-2 (V.i-ii)

Requirements:

 Due date TBA, but I will not be reminding you to work on this regularly; you are expected to keep up on your own time and be prepared to turn in immediately upon completion of the play.  This is not an essay, but is a writing assignment, so it is still expected that the conventions of English usage will be observed.  Log must be TYPED. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING.  All entries should be labeled clearly, and MLA citation form observed for act/scene/line citations (in Arabic, not Roman, numeral format).  Worth 50 points in FORMAL WRITING category of grade.