Work for Students Who MISSED Class on March 31

Read both sections and answer all questions and the summary.

Read from Act I, sc 4 line 43 (starts on page 51) through the end of
the scene. (Parts: Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus)

1. Wherefore means “why.” What are three questions Hamlet wants to
ask the ghost?
2. Why does Horatio ask Hamlet not to go? Use text to defend your
answer.
3. Horatio says, “He waxes desperate with imagination.” How does that
reflect on Hamlet’s character? Should we believe Horatio?
4. BONUS: Interpret the line “Something is rotten in the state of
Denmark.” What’s rotten? Explain.

Read Act I, sc v line 99 (starts on page 61) through the end of the
scene. (Parts: Hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus, Ghost)

1. What does Hamlet mean “thy commandment all alone shall live/Within
the book and volume of my brain…”?
2. Horatio says, “These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.” How
does that reflect on Hamlet’s character? Should we believe Horatio?
3. Starting on line 186, what does Hamlet ask his friends never to do?
4. BONUS: Interpret the line “The time is out of joint.” Explain.

SUMMARY:  Does Hamlet have a reasonable reaction to the ghost?  Use at least two pieces of textual evidence.

Hamlet Act I, sc i Homework

Summary: How does the characters’ lack of knowledge contribute to the mood already established by details about the setting or plot?

OPTIONAL TEMPLATE: The characters’ lack of knowledge creates a mood of _______. For example… This mood is also established through other details such as…. 

Hamlet, full text

Speech Responding to Bush's "Duty of Hope" Speech

Write a one-page speech for Gore to deliver in response to Bush's speech. Be sure to include:

- A Developed Counterclaim (What was good about Bush's idea?)

- A Convincing Critique (What are two or three questions or ideas that will make voters doubt Bush's idea?)

- Correct grammar, an appropriate tone, and effective transitions to help your audience follow your thinking.


For BONUS credit, practice using some of the rhetorical techniques you saw in Bush's speech in your own speech.  You could also use the texhniques we saw SInger use: analogies, anecdotes and questions and rebuttals.

"The Duty of Hope" Questions - Due Monday, March 3

After reading, answer the following questions.

1.       Bush describes himself as an “economic conservative.”  Based on the beginning of his speech, what does he seem to mean by this?  What limitation does he see to that approach?

2.       What purpose does the example of Big Brothers/Big Sisters serve?  What point is Bush trying to make?  What anecdote does Bush use to develop this point? Explain.

3.       Bush refers at one point to previous attempts by government to wage “war on poverty” and says that those efforts were frustrated.  What new idea does he have?

4.       What are the two mindsets about government that Bush says we need to get past?  How does his plan avoid these two mindsets? 

BONUS:  What rhetorical strategies does Bush use to persuade his audience?  Consider appeals to our emotion, figurative language, allusions to history or to religion…

EXTRA BONUS:  For Monday, you will be writing a response to this speech from the perspective of his political opponent.  Think about what points you might bring up to make people question Bush's point of view.  Do some research to find evidence to support your point!