Lesson Plans

One-off Workshop: To be or not to be: Selfies and Soliloquies

Teaching Plans Shakespeare One-off Workshop KS 2 KS 3
The ‘To be or not to be’ soliloquy in William Shakespeare's Hamlet is an excellent extract on which to base a drama workshop with young people, as indeed many young people are a similar age to Hamlet in the play. In the style of social media video stories and selfies this workshop aims to use technology to explore how this play is relevant to young people today.
Hamlet is in turmoil. He is beginning to believe his father was murdered by his uncle Claudius. He has been close to killing him for revenge but stopped himself at the last minute. He sighs, slumps over his diary, rubs his eyes. He begins to write in his diary, starting with ‘To be or not to be…’
Hamlet is in turmoil. He is beginning to believe his father was murdered by his uncle Claudius. He has been close to killing him for revenge but stopped himself at the last minute. He sighs, slumps over his diary, rubs his eyes. He begins to write in his diary, starting with ‘To be or not to be…’ - DEAGREEZ/ADOBESTOCK

Hamlet is in turmoil. He is beginning to believe his father was murdered by his uncle Claudius. He has been close to killing him for revenge but stopped himself at the last minute. He sighs, slumps over his diary, rubs his eyes. He begins to write in his diary, starting with ‘To be or not to be…’

Is it ok to murder a murderer? Discuss.

Explain the key parts of the story while students create images in groups of 4 – 5.

Hamlet has followed Claudius to the castle chapel where he is praying, and approaches him with a dagger, what might he be thinking? In still image as Hamlet, as the teacher passes, students speak lines of internal thoughts.

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