HAMLET RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT
In a 5-8 paragraph research essay, inform the reader of 3 of the following
characters:
Hyperion
Hecuba
Mercury
Satyr
Cain & Abel
Jove/Jupiter
Hercules
Priam & Pyrrhus
Mars
Niobe
Julius Caesar Alexander the Great
Each body paragraph should do the following:
1. Provide detailed, correctly cited information about the Mythological or Historical
figure.
2. Explain how and why the allusion is used in Hamlet . How does the allusion
specifically apply to the situation and dialogue of that specific character? How does
it apply to the events and themes of the play as a whole?
The paper must use correct MLA in-text citations and include a complete MLA
Works Cited page with entries in alphabetical order. We will explain in class how to
do this.
Information about allusions must be taken from a valid, reliable source. If you
are doing research online, source websites must have a .org or .edu URL. NO
.com or .net SITES WILL BE ALLOWED unless specifically approved by the
teacher. Wikipedia is NOT a valid site.
This assignment is part of the “papers” section of your grade which comprises 30%
of your overall grade.
The essay should be double spaced in the standard 5 paragraph format,
although body paragraphs can be doubled or split for better organization.
It must contain at least 4 quotes from the text of Hamlet with page
number and/or act and scene. Quotes should be 3 lines or less, and can be
distributed in any part of the essay. Paragraphs should be well-developed.
Body paragraphs must be more than 4 sentences long.
The essay must be written with proper grammar, punctuation,
capitalization and spelling. Essays with obvious spelling and capitalization
errors will be automatically be given a failing grade. Essays must also be
written in appropriately formal academic language, avoiding interjections,
abbreviations, colloquialisms and contractions. Personal experiences do not
belong in this paper.
Please avoid using the personal pronouns you, I, and me and
unnecessary phrases like “I think” and “I believe.” State your arguments as
if they were indisputable fact.
DUE TUESDAY 21 April 2015.