Hamlet Essay Topics

Semester One Take-Home Final:

Hamlet Literature Analysis Essay

1)     Poor, poor Ophelia. Ophelia falls into the water and “accidentally” drowns. How and why does Ophelia’s death matter to the play? Discuss her death as a symbol of her life, her honor, and her relationship with Hamlet.

 

2)     Existence! What does it all mean? After reading Hamlet, what conclusion does Prince Hamlet come to (or doesn’t come to) concerning the nature or the value of existence. How does Hamlet struggle with the issue of life and death? How does he evolve on this issue?

 

The best way to tackle this prompt is to choose three or four soliloquies or monologues and show this evolution of thought concerning these topics. You will also need to make sure you are not merely summarizing his thoughts but are discussing his language and ideas in an effort to come to a specific thematic purpose Shakespeare is incorporating.

 

3)     The Avengers! Compare Hamlet with either Laertes or Fortinbras and discuss their differing approaches to seek revenge. Ultimately, what message is Shakespeare sharing about revenge in using these two characters as foils?

 

4)     AP Prompt: Madness is like Gravity…

“If you be sick, your own thoughts make you sick.” -Ben Jonson.

Throughout Hamlet there are references to real and imagined mental illnesses as portrayed by Shakespeare’s characters. What part does madness-real or feigned-play in the tragedy of Hamlet? Contemplate whether or not Ben Jonson’s quote maintains validity in Hamlet, then take a stand and write about to whom this accurately applies.

Requirements:

·         Essay must be a minimum of 3  pages, and it must follow all MLA style rules.

·         Essay must include direct quotes from the play (minimum of four). 

·         Please write in the third person; no “I,” “you,” or “we” pronouns.

·         Your essay must have an original title.

·         Your Thesis Statement must contain the three P’s (Prompt, Provable, Purpose).

Submit your essay to Turnitin.com by Friday, 12/20 by 3:00pm. If you want written feedback on the essay, please turn in a hard copy of the essay by 12:30pm on 12/20. Remember, my turnitin.com ID number is 7212278 and the password is “achimore”