Class notes (11/15-11/26)

AP exam Essay
- T.A.P, Thesis Answers Prompt
-find all the goals and reverse engineer the thesis based on how the author uses technique to create meaning
(the AP question)

AP Multiple Choice
-read for the big picture first than details second. this way you stay in the context of the big picture
Rhetorical Function
-author focused
-one spot compared to the whole
Context
-what does the word mean in relation to the others
-one spot compared to the whole
Antecedent
-mostly in poetry
-read the whole sentence, not just line by line
Style
-global type of question choices (in general/ all of them)
-usually are a question with a "better" answer where others may by right but not as right
-don't waste time on these, come back
Tone
-the test writers often "shoot themselves in the foot" by making paired answers, if one part
is wrong, it is all wrong

Sources of Hamlet
-based on a Norse legend from 1200 AD
-the character was originally named Amleth instead of Hamlet
-composed by Saxo Grammiticus
-Francois de Belleforest translated it into french
-didn't appear in english until 1608, so Shakespeare may have used an earlier play by
Thomas Kyd called Ur-Hamlet
-originally ended with Amleth claiming his rightful throne after taking revenge (i.e. killing the king)

Revenge Tragedy
-tragedy- imitation of a single unified action that is serious and complete
-plot may include

• hero's hesitation
• hero's insanity (real of fake)
• contemplation of suicide
• multiple levels of intrigue
• able, scheming villain
• abundance of philosophic soliloquies
• sensational on-stage murder

-the audience encounters

• the "offense"
• the antagonist
• clarification of stragedy
• series of delays, obstacles, divisions,mistakes, and reservations (anything that delays)
• unforeseen development that almost thwarts the scheme (messed up but not stopped)
• show down