...the topic or essay question. Your essay or paper will likely be directed by a question or a prompt, like a quote, with a question. It’s important that you read the question carefully and understand what it is asking of you. If you have created your own topic for the paper based on an assigned piece of literature or author, ensure you understand what you are expected to be exploring in the paper. o For example, you may get a prompt in the form of quotation from a work of literature, such as: “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?” - Hamlet by William Shakespeare.[1] o You may be given an essay topic based on an assigned book or text, such as: “Discuss how Shakespeare’s Hamlet treats the idea of suicide in a moral, religious, and aesthetic sense. Pay particular attention to Hamlet’s two important soliloquies on suicide: “O, that this too solid flesh would melt” (I.ii.129–158) and “To be, or not to be” (III.i.56–88). Why does Hamlet believe that most human beings choose to live, despite the cruelty, pain, and injustice of the world?”[2] 1. 2 Research your topic. Before you get into structuring and writing your essay, take some time to do research on your topic. If your essay is about suicide and Hamlet, for example...
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...Essay Two This essay discusses how Prince Hamlet speaks and acts different in Act V, scene II, than in other parts of the play. Throughout the play Hamlet is conflicted and revengeful when he finds out that his uncle Claudius had murdered his father. Hamlet can never seem to take action. He procrastinates and overthinks almost every situation he is in. Hamlet also fears death and what consequences his actions will have. In Act V, scene II, Prince Hamlet speaks and acts very different he overcomes being afraid of death. He also stops overthinking very move he makes. Hamlet also starts doing what he wants to do and keeping to his word. Act I is where Hamlet is first challenged. Hamlet cannot understand why he is the only one being affected...
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...Thamara georges Period:8 Hamlet Essay Violence is not the answer! This statement has been repeated for years. But we never seem to get the message across. William Shakespeare wrote The Tragedy of Hamlet, which include many violent scenes. In the play, Prince Hamlet is the son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. King Hamlet has recently died and Claudius, and king Hamlet brother, has been crowned the new King and has married Gertrude. Shortly after his mother's marriage, Prince Hamlet meets his father's ghost. The ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius killed him and encourages Hamlet to avenge his death by killing Claudius. Moreover, Ophelia was one of the victims of violence, her father was murdered, and later she committed suicide. Violence affected her future by not allowing her to explore her relationship with Hamlet....
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...Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, murders Hamlet’s father to inherit the crown of Denmark and the love of Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Throughout the play there are six soliloquies that reveal the character of Hamlet and others. In more than any other Shakespearean play, the audience is painted a better picture of Hamlet’s mind. Shakespeare questions the social and Christian institutions in the face of tragedy with the usage of several ambiguous phrases. Through word play and tone shifts, Hamlet’s collapsing sanity is reflected and shows the deconstruction of his views towards the Church and its values and his family. Hamlet’s questionable sanity is first reflected in the Church and its teachings. During the Elizabethan Era, most people practiced Catholicism, and it was not until later in the 1500s that the Catholic religion was called into question by another developing religion at the time, Protestantism. Not only does society begin to doubt the teachings of the Church, Hamlet does as well because he has lost complete faith in Christian values. According to Hamlet, those values have the cause of Claudius murdering his own brother and marrying his wife. Hamlet is unable to accept this unfortunate fate, and in turn, exclaims to the heavens, “O God! O God” (I.ii.132)! Hamlet has lost faith in the Everlasting because he is disgusted that God would let such an incestuous act happen. Shakespeare’s use of ambiguity leaves the audience confused about whether Hamlet is cursing...
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...us to simply enter a never-ending sleep when we find ourselves facing the daunting problems of life than to "suffer / the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune"? However, it is perhaps because we do not know what this endless sleep entails that humans usually opt against suicide. "For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil / Must give us pause." Shakespeare seems to understand this dilemma through his character Hamlet, and thus the phrase "To be, or not to be" has been immortalized; indeed, it has pervaded our culture to such a remarkable extent that it has been referenced countless times in movies, television, and the media. Popular movies such as Billy Madison quote the famous phrase, and www.tobeornottobe.com serves as an online archive of Shakespeare's works. Today, a Shakespeare stereotype is held up by the bulk of society, where they see him as the god of drama, infallible and fundamentally superior to modern playwrights. However, this attitude is not new. Even centuries ago, the "holiness" of Shakespeare's work inspired and awed audiences. In a letter dated October 1, 1775, Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, commenting on David Garrick's production of Hamlet (1742-1776) to his...
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...Hamlet Worldviews Essay There are many versions of the famous play ‘Hamlet’, which all follow the same tragedy, but the target audiences for each version of the artwork naturally interpret the play/ films differently than the original target audience. Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” targets the audience of the Globe theatre in the late 16th to 17th century, while the very popular Kenneth Branaugh’s “Hamlet” targets a completely different audience, targeting the 19th century audience. Both versions are quite similar, however; Branaugh modified his version appropriately so that his audience could have a better understanding of the madness and religion and views on suicide displayed in “Hamlet”. Shakespeare’s audience would interpret Hamlet’s madness differently than Branaugh’s audience in the sense that Shakespeare wanted to portray the idea that Hamlet was mad because his evil conscience was demanding that he took revenge, and this ultimately took control over him—causing him to go mad. Today’s audience would be more likely to assume that Hamlet has gone mad as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by his uncle murdering his beloved father. This is a significant impact on the target audience because Shakespeare wouldn’t have been familiar with the disorder, and Branaugh does well in creating the effect that Hamlet wasn’t just mad because of his conscience demanding revenge, but the trauma of losing his father through an atypical death. Hamlet: “Not where he eats but where...
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...popular plays is Hamlet. Because this play was one of his more complex works it is also became of the most analyzed plays as well. The main character, Hamlet, has fascinated readers and audiences for centuries, and one of the first thing to point out about him is that he is indecisive (22 Newell). But even though he is thoughtful to the point of obsession, Hamlet also behaves rashly and instinctively. When he does act, it is quickly with little or no premeditation, like when he stabbed Polonius through the curtain without even checking to see who he was. He seems to step very easily into the role acting crazy, behaving erratically and upsetting the other characters with his careless speech (22 Newell). It is also important to note that Hamlet is extremely laid back and unconcerned with it comes to the state of affairs in Denmark and in his own family. He is extremely disappointed with his mother for marrying his uncle so quickly. He rejects, Ophelia, a woman he claimed to have loved once. At a number of points in the play, he contemplates his own death and even the option of suicide. But, despite all of the things with which Hamlet expresses dissatisfaction, it is remarkable that he thinks about these problems only in personal and philosophical terms. He spends little time concerning himself about the threats to Denmark’s national security from outside forces or the threats to its stability from within (1 Hamlet's). Also, there is always a little more to Hamlet than the other characters...
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...Annotated Bibliography for Hamlet Thesis: In Hamlet, Ophelia faces the constant struggle to find her identity, due to male superiority and lack of mother. If Ophelia were to live in today’s world, she would most likely suffer from depression, abuse, and eating disorders due to her lack of personal identity. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. New York: Dover Publications, 1992. Print. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare is the main text used for relations to Ophelia and her lack of personal identity. This play provides us with first-hand information on Ophelia’s downward spiral into insanity, which results in her own personal demise. This source is very appropriate, due to the fact that it is the first-hand insight into what Shakespeare portrayed Ophelia as, in her role in Hamlet. Therefore, it is believed that all information found in it, can be trusted and used accordingly, to relate Ophelia and her insanity due to contributing factors in her social environment. I found this source, in class, as it was our primary learning source in the discussions we had about Hamlet. This source is unlike my other sources, due to the fact that it is the base text for my work. From this source, I can learn how Ophelia slowly fell into madness, and what events helped lead up to her peak of insanity in the play. This helps develop my essay, because it is the main source that I will be using in relation to my other research sources. Considering that this is my base text, it is relatable to both my...
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...Actions always have consequences; an essay about Hamlets obsessions and passions In this essay, the main character Hamlet from the play “Hamlet” written by William Shakespeare will be analyzed to find out what consequences he had to deal with due to his obsessions and passions. In this play, Hamlet’s obsessions and passions represent who he is and what he stands for; moreover, his obsessions with seeking revenge on his father, religion, and love cause Hamlet to have to deal with many consequences due to his actions which leads to his death. One of the main themes in this play is revenge, and Hamlets biggest obsession in this play is seeking revenge on Claudius for his father’s death. Hamlets plot for revenge starts after he speaks to The Ghost a.k.a his father who tells him that his brother killed him (Claudius). The Ghost ““But know, thou noble youth. The serpent that did sting thy father’s life. Now wears his crown.” (Act 1 Scene 5, Line 38 – 40). After Hamlet hears this, he goes insanely mad and becomes extremely obsessed in getting revenge for what his uncle did to his father. This obsession that takes over his life causes him to lose his self-control which leads to his death and other mains characters deaths. During the Elizabethan Era, religion was something that people, as well as Hamlet took very serious. Religion effected a lot of Hamlets decisions, and in Act 3, Hamlet had to a chance to kill Claudius while he was praying but he didn’t because he believed...
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...2014 COMMENTS OFF ON COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY ON HAMLET AND DEATH OF A SALESMAN Compare and Contrast Essay on Hamlet and Death of a Salesman Different characters in fictional work serve to develop the plot in different ways. this happens often, be it strengthening the protagonist, or working towards weakening and destroying the protagonist. This is no exception in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, and in “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller. The female characters in the two works choose to hide or deny the truth, and this does not work out well for them, or for the protagonists in the end. Linda chooses not to confront her husband, although she knows that he has plans to commit suicide. Gertrude chooses not to accept her wrongdoing by marrying Claudius, and she does not accept the consequences of her action. The female characters treat the protagonists in different ways, and this contributes to the development of the protagonists. The different personalities of the female characters in the stories enhance the characters of the protagonists in different ways. By denying reality, the female characters contribute to the downfall of the protagonists. Linda is the main character in Miller’s work. She is a loving and loyal wife to her husband. She chooses to reprimand and rebuke her sons for not caring more about their father, although she knows that her husband is not well. Linda knows of her husband’s intention to commit suicide. She reveals this to her sons when she tells...
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...Dolabaille ENG 4U Tuesday, July 17th, 2015. Hamlet William Shakespeare's longest play Hamlet is a late 16th century tragedy set in Denmark. It revolves around the son of a deceased king, Hamlet, of which the name of the play is coined. Hamlet is perturbed by the death of his father, and becomes vengeful upon learning the truth about his murder. This play takes a twist by involving the subplot romance between Hamlet and Ophelia, and the dangerous role their love plays in the death of majority of the characters. This play crosses the importance of many of the characters values, the problems ensued, and the consequences. In this essay I will argue that the audience's cultural, economic, and social values do affect their interpretation of the play by using the speech given by the gravedigger. "Her obsequies have been as far enlarged As we have warranty. Her death was doubtful, And, but that great command o'ersways the order, She should in ground unsanctified have lodged Till the last trumpet. For charitable prayers Shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on her. Yet here she is allowed her virgin crants, Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home Of bell and burial." (V, i, 200-208) Culturally, suicide is considered a sin or an act of blasphemy to a Christian. In Shakespeare's Hamlet the character Ophelia was thought to have committed suicide after the loss of her father, Polonius, and her love, Hamlet. She is denied a full Christian funeral by the...
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...think that Hamlet was more tragic in comparison to Agamemnon. The reason being is because in Hamlet Claudius is driven to kill his own brother, King Hamlet, just so he can marry his own sister-in-law. Hamlet is plotting to kill his own uncle and is speaks of his own mother in a hateful manner e:g Within a month, Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes, She married. O most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! A son is talking about her own mother like this and ...isn't an essay you were looking for? GET THAT PERFECT ONE starting from $7.50 per page only! YOUR E-MAIL ORDER NOW at the same time he has lost hope in life. Hamlet claims that he wants to die, if only suicide wasn’t forbidden by God. Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! So from the beginning of the play the protagonist is in a pitiful state. This was not the case with the protagonist of Agamemnon. In Hamlet the protagonist was driven to avenge his own father death and in the process ended up killing 4 innocent person. His own love of his live Ophelia, and mom, Queen Gertrude was killed by the poisonous drink which was meant for Hamlet. Ophelia’s father and brother ended up dead. In Agamemnon only two innocent lives were lost, Cassandra and Iphigenia. In my opinion i think Agamemnon deserved his tragic end. He...
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...tragic play of Hamlet has been passed on from generation to generation since it was written in 1609 by English playwriter, and poet, William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest poet of recent times, his pieces are still relevant to this day. Furthermore, one of his more relevant and popular pieces is the tragic play of Hamlet. This play was about a son of Danish royalty seeking out revenge for the mysterious, and suspicious death of his father. Hamlet believes that his uncle, Claudius is to blame. Throughout the play, Hamlet is found conversing with the ghost of his father, or so he thinks. Many skepticize that the ghost Hamlet was supposedly talking to didn't actually exist. Some believe that the ghost was Hamlet’s sub-conscience rather than the ghost of his father. Throughout the play, the...
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...Hamlet Final Essay What do you think makes Shakespeare’s Hamlet such a powerful and enduring play? Thesis William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1603) explores the intrinsic aspects of humanity creating a powerful and enduring play by subverting the audiences’ expectation of a revenge tragedy play. Shakespeare enables universal anthropological appreciation through the emphasis on the thematic concerns of: the mystery and transcendental nature of death, clouded grey areas in between the dichotomy of good and evil morals, and the twisted manipulative nature of human behaviour. Therefore, through critical study of the play, Shakespeare augments and connects to the audience’s perspective and interpretations. Body Topic sentence 1. Overarching idea i. Point ii. Quote iii. Technique iv. Elaboration Sample Sentence Linking sentence (concluding sentence) Body 1 – Death Death is the inescapable reality of human life as explored in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the fact that the living world is made of death and decay is visible anywhere there is life. 1. Hamlet’s bereavement over his father i. Bereavement is an inescapable reality in which all humans must endure. ii. “But I have more within which passes show – These but the trappings and the suits of woe” iii. Rhyming couplet iv. To reinforce Hamlet’s underlying argument to his grief over the finality of his father’s death. Bereavement is an inescapable reality, exemplified when Hamlet says...
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...Ranking the Play Hamlet The Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet is among the best ever written, and perhaps the very best. Why do the literary critics say this? In this essay let’s examine the play to see what makes it a prizewinner. Phyllis Abrahms and Alan Brody in “Hamlet and the Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy Formula” give some detail about the reasons for the undying popularity of this play: No play demonstrates the power and glory of Shakespeare’s tragic vision more than Hamlet, which for over 350 years has excited us with its action, its insight, its brilliant language. Hamlet is an unparalleled adventure story, complete with suspense, intrigue, murder – even a battle at sea with pirates. It is a play of intense emotional and physical violence. Yet underlying all of this are some of the most profound explorations of the mysteries of human existence. (43) This play is ranked by many as the very greatest ever written. Cumberland Clark in “The Supernatural in Hamlet” gives the consensus regarding Hamlet that exists among literary critics of today: At least six or seven years pass after the writing of Midsummer Night’s Dream before we find Shakespeare engaged on Hamlet, the second of the great plays with an important Supernatural element, and, in the opinion of many, the greatest tragedy ever penned. (99) There is no more exalted ranking than the above. Richard A. Lanham in the essay “Superposed Plays” maintains that no...
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