Objective:   To help students to connect the scene with their own personal experience(s) or that of people they know.

Materials:  III.i.88-163, pen and paper

Activities:

1. Divide students into as many male/female pairs as possible.
2. Have couples create a romantic relationship history between Harrison and Olivia.  Students should be as specific as possible:
   • How did you meet?
   • What do you like about each other?
   • What is your song?
   • What do you do together?
   • Etc.
3. Set the scene by telling the students that Olivia and Harrison are two teens who have been in love for a long time.  Olivia's parents are opposed to the relationship and want her to break up with Harrison.  Harrison's friends think he should dump Olivia before he "gets hurt."
4. Role-plays
   • Olivia's parents confront her about her relationship with Harrison.
   • Harrison's friends confront him about Olivia.
   • Harrison and Olivia try to break up with each other.
5. Acting III.i.88-163
   • Pairs will join to form groups of four.
   • One pair will act the scene while the other pair feeds-in the lines.
   • After both pairs have had an opportunity to act the scene, ask for volunteers to share the scene with the whole class.
6. Class Discussion
   • Discuss the similarities and differences between the role play and scene.
   • Discuss "honesty" in this scene.
   • Discuss "farewells" in this scene.
   • How would Ophelia be different if she were alive today?
7. Homework ~ Re-read the scene and write an entry in either Hamlet's or Ophelia's journal about this experience.