Hamlet Formal Essay – 100 Bonus points
Thesis: In the play Hamlet - Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras displayed three different styles of revenge.
Essay: In a five-paragraph formal essay compare and contrast Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras as “avengers” in William
Shakespeare’s classic tragedy of misgiven revenge, Hamlet (Remember, all three were trying to get revenge for their
fathers’ deaths) (underline play title).
In the play, Hamlet’s revenge was too hesitant (too cool); Laertes’ revenge was too impulsive (too hot); while Fortinbras’
revenge proved to be just right (cunning/lying – taking his time).
Gather 3 concrete details (CDs) for each person – “quotes” from the play - that illustrate their respective styles of
revenge. (
remember – no Free Standing Quotes - No FSQ!!!!)
Use the 11 sentence body paragraph style – TS, CD#1, CM, CM, CD#2, CM, CM, CD#3, CM, CM, CS.
Remember: “blend” your quotes – that is, no free standing quotes. And never use the word “quote” in your essay. Use a
synonym like statement, or retort, or replied, or said. (Hamlet felt betrayed by his mother Gertrude when he said, “Frailty
cite all quotes).
thy name is woman” (1.2, 150). (
Paragraph #1 = intro (thesis; short play synopsis) (3-4 sent.)
Paragraph #2 = body #1 (Hamlet) (11 sentences)
Paragraph #3 = body #2 (Laertes) (11 sentences)
Paragraph #4 = body #3 (Fortinbras) (11 sentences)
Paragraph #5 = conclusion (restate thesis; short summary) (3-4 sent.)
Only Use Quotes Provided On Pre-Writing Worksheet!!!
HAMLET ESSAY WORKSHEET (PRE-WRITING)
THREE QUOTES FOR EACH: (
only use quotes provided below)
Remember to cite all quotes; for example: (2.2, 577)
HAMLET (TOO HESITANT - COOL) (2.2, 577; 2.2, 627-629; 2.2, 633-634; 3.1, 64-65; 3.3, 92)
1.
2.
3.
LAERTES (TOO IMPULSIVE - HOT) (4.5, 149-152; 4.7, 144; 4.7, 160-161)
1.
2.
3.
FORTINBRAS (CUNNING/JUST RIGHT – HE USED LYING/DECEPTION)
(AND, HE IS NEVER QUOTED DIRERCTLY – USE OTHERS’ STATEMENTS ABOUT HIM) (2.2, 74-75; 2.2, 8283; 4.4, 19-22)
1.
2.
3.