Humanities
Mr. Kelly & Mr. Waterman
Hamlet Essay
Due Date: Friday, March 8
Below you will see three prompts. Choose one to guide your essay. This is a literature analysis, which means
you are presenting an argument about the literature. It is strongly recommended to use outside sources.
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Character Analysis: Probe Hamlet’s mind. Get inside it and explore every niche and crevice. Then,
attempt to explain why he acts as he does. True, his behavior is in large part a reaction to his father’s
death and his mother’s marriage to Claudius. But what else bothers Hamlet? Is he angry because he
himself did not succeed to the throne? Does the ghost cause him to dwell morbidly on the afterlife?
Does he suddenly hate all women because of what his mother did?
Character Analysis: Write an essay entitled “Hamlet’s Deepest Secrets.” In this essay, argue that
Hamlet harbors disturbing secrets, such as the following: (1) as a child, he was neglected by King
Hamlet and Gertrude and, therefore, grew up resenting them; (2) he believes he might really be the
child of Claudius; and (3) he is sexually attracted to his mother (Oedipus complex). Evidence appears
in the play to support–but not prove–such theories.
Theme Analysis: There are many themes in Hamlet; pick one to investigate in more detail. You may
choose to discuss the theme of appearance vs. reality, decay, madness, revenge, family, or any
other theme (please run by me) that is of interest. Your essay should analyze the play through a
specific lens to create a thesis and interpretation unique to your selected theme.
Analysis: “…forty thousand brothers / could not with all their quantity of love / Make up my sum,”
Hamlet says as he rages against Laertes beside Ophelia’s grave. In all the writing about Hamlet “love”
is less discussed than “revenge” or “madness.” Yet it plays a vitally important part in the tragedy in
many ways. Consider each major character and identify who (or what – Polonius loves the sound of
his own voice) they love, and if that love is returned or changes. Use your findings to write an
extended essay: “The importance of love in Hamlet.”
Analysis: What’s the deal with Ophelia? Who is she? What’s her importance to the play? How might a
feminist look at Ophelia? Analyze Ophelia.
Historical literary analysis: Most of Shakespeare’s plays include a social commentary of the times
in which Shakespeare wrote. Dig into the years Shakespeare wrote Hamlet and write an essay that
discusses how the political climate of Elizabethan England affects Hamlet.
Your choice: You may create your own prompt, but please run it by me first.
Guidelines:
 The paper will be about 750 words – typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or similar
serif font.
 The final draft will be turned in twice. You will hand in a hardcopy (the old-fashioned, printed copy)
and upload the paper to turnitin.com. Both of these must be turned in to receive credit.
 Paper must be turned in even if you are excused. Failure to do so will result in a late paper.
 This essay must have a works cited page.
Reminders:
 This is a major writing assignment. We will have class time to work, but the majority will be done on
your own time.
 The writing lab is available for your use. Sign up online at least 24 hours before your visit. I will
award five points extra credit on your paper if you visit the writing lab (and I’m sure your grade will
improve as well).
 Be sure your thesis is a strong argument that will guide your entire paper.
 There will be no first draft due, but you can turn the essay in at any point and I will provide feedback.
 I can’t promise a revision on this one.
Procedure
1. Decide audience and purpose.
2. Prewrite:
 Journal. Brainstorm. Get your mind thinking. Write down anything that comes to
mind, even if you think it might be wrong. From this raw data, begin to narrow down
and
3. Research.
 Find evidence of your thoughts in Hamlet. Look at outside research for new ideas. Our
LitFinder database is just about as good as it gets.
 Take the time to immediately create a citation for any source you use. Noodlebib is
ideal for this.
4. Create a working thesis.
 What is your argument? This will morph as the essay continues, but at least you know
where your essay is going. Which brings us to an:
5. Outline.
 Lay out the roadmap for your essay. Each major idea should have support from
Hamlet as well as possibly from other research.
 This will organize your ideas.
 This outline can be turned into a checklist later.
6. Write your first draft.
 Notice how many steps come before you actually write an essay?
 Begin with your thesis if you’re stuck. You can write the rest of the introduction later.
7. Revise your first draft.
 Clean up the rough edges.
 Return to the text or research if the evidence isn’t holding up.
8. Revise your final draft.
 Clean it up. Look for grammatical or mechanical errors.
This may seem like a lot; and it is. Writing is hard work. But a lazy man works twice as hard. If you put the time
into the early stages, the writing will be easier. You can visit me or the writing lab at any point during this
writing process.