HAMLET
Prep for the Compare and Contrast Essay
STEP 1:
Choosing a “big idea” and creating a
theme statement
CREATING A THEME
STATEMENT
THEME STATEMENT
A successful theme statement must be general enough to capture the overall
meaning of the work, but specific enough so that it conveys your unique
interpretation.
In a sense, every literary work makes a statement or has a point. When you
create a theme statement, you're substituting a single sentence for the entire
piece of writing.
You may have to simplify the meaning somewhat to get it into a single
sentence, but nevertheless, your theme statement itself should make a point.
The theme statement should describe the general meaning of the work, not
the specific events, actions, or characters.
“Luke defeats Darth Vader" is plot summary.
Instead of describing what the characters do, discuss what they represent
("Good defeats evil"). This can be a first step toward making your theme
statement.
Often the theme statement takes the form of a moral or a judgment. Ex."We
cannot defeat an external evil until we acknowledge our own dark side."
WHICH IS A THEME STATEMENT?
Love.
Mrs. Farquar learns that British people can't dance.
It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
CREATING A THEME STATEMENT
IN 3 STEPS
1) Select an important TOPIC included in the writing. (Topic ideas include:
freedom, love, trust, death, forgiveness…)
Ex. Hamlet includes: being true to oneself, incest, manipulating others, putting
on a “false face”, action vs inaction, getting what you deserve…
CREATING A THEME STATEMENT
IN 3 STEPS
2) Begin the theme statement by listing the name of the play, and author.
Ex. “The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare…”
CREATING A THEME STATEMENT
IN 3 STEPS
3) Now finish the statement by adding what the author REVEALS about the
topic.
Ex. “The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, is about __________, and
reveals that _______________.”
You may use an image (unweeded garden, wounds/disease/garbage) as a “big
idea”. In this case your theme statement might look like this:
“The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, uses the image of __________, to
reveal that _______________.”
REMEMBER YOUR TASK
You must explain how 2, or more, characters contribute
to a “big idea”/theme in the play.
If your theme statement= “The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, is about
lies and reveals that not being truthful only causes misery.”
Choose 2 (or more) characters who show this. Claudius, Polonius, Hamlet…
If your theme statement= “The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, uses the
image of weeds, to reveal that lies can take over our lives if we let them.”
Choose 2 (or more) characters who show this. Claudius, Polonius, Hamlet…
CREATING YOUR THESIS
STATEMENT
To have a minimally acceptable thesis,
you need to at least indicate the
characters and that there will be some
sort of a comparison and a contrast. (Then
just make sure you discuss the impact on theme in the body paragraphs.)
“The characters of Hamlet and Claudius can be compared and contrasted.”
(perhaps this essay will argue in body paragraph #1 that Hamlet and Claudius are both manipulative, in body
paragraph #2 the essay will show how they do this this in different ways)
“While Hamlet and Leartes both have problems, they have their differences in
how they deal with them.”
(perhaps this essay will discuss in body paragraph #1 that Hamlet and Leartes have similar problems, body
paragraph #2 may indicate how they deal with the problems in different ways.)
CREATING A MORE SOPHISTICATED
THESIS STATEMENT
Once you have your theme statement and characters to be used, you can put them
together in a thesis statement.
*Remember that you will compare and contrast, so mention
this in your thesis
“The characters of Claudius and Hamlet in the play Hamlet
by William Shakespeare reveal that not being truthful only
causes misery, though these characters are impacted by these
lies in different ways.”
This thesis says clearly who will be discussed, what the theme is, and that there will
be a comparison (both are miserable due to lies), and a contrast (the impact of the
lies is different).
WAYS TO ATTACK A
COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAY
OPTION 1 = COMPARE AND CONTRAST
IN EACH BODY PARAGRAPH
Example thesis statement:
"There are similarities and differences
between how the old and young characters in
Hamlet are motivated, are able to act on their
thoughts, and contribute to the big idea of
using others."
This lends itself perfectly to a 5 paragraph piece (though
you could do a 4 paragraph essay using this model too
by removing one of the points in the thesis.)
"THERE ARE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOW THE OLD AND
YOUNG CHARACTERS IN HAMLET ARE MOTIVATED, ARE ABLE TO ACT ON THEIR
THOUGHTS, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE BIG IDEA OF USING OTHERS."
In this case, you will write one paragraph describing the motivations of both the young and
old characters, one paragraph on each of their ability to act, and one paragraph describing
each of their impact on theme.
Introduction: build up and thesis
Body Paragraph 1: Discuss first idea- motivations.
-similarities
-differences
Body Paragraph 2: Discuss second idea- ability to act.
-similarities
-differences
Body Paragraph 3: Discuss third idea- using others.
-similarities
-differences
Conclusion: restate thesis and “end broad”
OPTION 2= TALK ABOUT SIMILARITIES
IN ONE PARAGRAPH, AND THE
DIFFERENCES IN ANOTHER.
Example thesis statement:
"In the play Hamlet, the old and young characters
have both similarities and differences in how they
impact theme."
In this case, you will write one paragraph
describing the similarities and one paragraph
describing the differences.
"IN THE PLAY HAMLET, THE OLD AND YOUNG CHARACTERS
HAVE BOTH SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN HOW THEY
IMPACT THEME."
Introduction: build up and thesis
Body Paragraph 1: Similarities
Body Paragraph 2: Differences
Conclusion: restate thesis and “end broad”
English 12
Hamlet Compare and Contrast Essay Checklist
Teacher Assessment
Thesis Statement
YES
Clear and controlling thesis statement.
Ex. In the play “Hamlet” the characters of Hamlet and Claudius show similarities, yet also display differences.
Intro paragraph
Paragraph builds up to thesis statement (broad to specific)
Body paragraph #1
Intro sentence that presents the idea to be discussed
2-3 examples, ideas, or quotes that adequately develop the paragraph
A transition that shifts from this paragraph to the next. This may be at the end of the paragraph
or at the beginning of the next paragraph.
Body paragraph #2
Intro sentence that presents the idea to be discussed
2-3 examples, ideas, or quotes that adequately develop the paragraph
A transition that shifts from this paragraph to the next. This may be at the end of the paragraph
or at the beginning of the next paragraph.
Body paragraph #3
If Applicable!
Intro sentence that presents the idea to be discussed
2-3 examples, ideas, or quotes that adequately develop the paragraph
Conclusion
A restatement of the thesis
Specific to broad ending
Use of quotes
Does the piece include AT LEAST 3 quotes?
Are there transitions into/out of quotes?
NO