Hamlet Essay
Choices
British
Literature
You may select any one of the following topics for your
essay. You’ll notice that they really
aren’t questions as much as jumping off points for your consideration. Keep in mind that you will be graded using
the Writing About Literature
scoring guide with special emphasis on a creative, original angle and strong
references to the text. As always, your
PW, OL, RD, and SRD will be scored in our traditional manner.
1. Because of Hamlet’s mole of nature (I, iv, 27),
the arena of action in this play lies within the intellect rather than in
physical action.
2. Motifs (running imagery) of illness and disease, animals,
blood, harlotry, unweeded gardens, hell and the devil, time being out
of joint depict the fact that Something is rotten in the state of
Denmark (I, iv, 100).
3. An illusion/reality theme (what seems as opposed to what
is) marks part of the struggle to have foul deeds…rise…to men’s eyes (I,
ii, 281-2). Examine how this theme causes Hamlet to become unpregnant of
his cause.
4. Hamlet’s serenity has been destroyed. He must reconcile these events – his
father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage – somehow with a world view;
i.e., humanity’s place in the universe and the ultimate ends of action and
existence. Examine Hamlet’s use of
inductive logic as a means to this end.
5. T. S. Eliot wrote this criticism of the play: “So far from being Shakespeare’s
masterpiece, the play is most certainly an artistic failure. In several ways, the play is puzzling and
disquieting as is none of the others.
Of all the plays, it is the longest and is possibly the one on which
Shakespeare spent the most pains; and yet he has left in it superfluous and
inconsistent scenes which even hasty revision should have noticed.”
6. Consider some element of this play in relation to some
other Shakespearean play you have studied.
7. Examine the influence of this play on our own culture in
terms of story, language, and theme.
8. Discuss the Hamlet—Ophelia relationship and its
importance to the play as a whole.
9. Consider the roles and psychologies of the females in
this play.
10. Examine the influence of accident or chance on the
action of the play. Compare and
contrast that influence with the concept of fate in the play. What do you suppose Shakespeare was saying
about these two forces as they impact the decisions in our lives? (one hint: the graveyard scene)
11. Discuss the relationship between thought and passion in
this play.
12. Using only Hamlet’s soliloquies, make a case for Hamlet
being either sane or mad.
13. Examine the use of humor throughout the play; be sure to
discuss technique, meaning, and effect.