The Shift in Hamlet

Worksheet Description

This worksheet focuses on the concept of peripeteia within the context of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet It provides a definition of peripeteia as a significant turning point in a narrative, usually entailing a change in the protagonist’s fortune from good to bad, and poses questions about its presence and nature in “Hamlet” compared to Greek tragedies. Students are encouraged to reflect on the elements of surprise and inevitability in the play’s plot and to consider how Hamlet’s peripeteia is a product of the protagonist’s own actions. By doing so, they must analyze the nuances that differentiate Shakespearean tragedy from its ancient Greek counterparts.

The worksheet teaches students to critically engage with one of Shakespeare’s most complex plays by examining its tragic structure. Students learn to identify and articulate what constitutes the peripeteia in a narrative and how to distinguish it from other plot points. They explore how Shakespeare’s approach to tragedy both aligns with and diverges from classical Greek drama. This analysis enhances their understanding of literary terms and traditions, and hones their ability to conduct comparative literature studies.