Hamlet Essay Questions
Mr. Marino/ English IV
1. Compare and contrast Hamlet and Laertes. What traits do they have in common ? What are their differences? Be
sure to support your ideas with evidence from the text?
2. One of the great paradoxes of this play is that Hamlet, the hero of one plot, is the villain of the other. This
realization reflects directly the duality of human nature. What other characters does Shakespeare use to advance
similar notions? How?
3. How well does Hamlet fulfill his role as avenger? Would his father have approved of his handling of the task set
forth to him?
4. What is the role of Ophelia? Gertrude? How do they compare and contrast?
5. Does Hamlet undergo any developmental changes throughout the play? How does he grow psychologically?
Morally? Spiritually?
6. Analyze Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia. What is her purpose in the play? Does Hamlet ever really love her? Be
sure to back your claims up with textual details.
7. Is Hamlet prudent or foolish? Is his inability to act decisively his downfall or is it what makes him a hero? Use
evidence from the play to support your claims.
8. How much did Gertrude know about King Hamlet's murder? What evidence can you find that she might have
known? Evidence of her innocence? Which is more feasible?
9. Discuss the importance of appearance and reality in Hamlet (strong hint: Why is Hamlet so interested in the
players?).
10. Select one of Hamlet soliloquies (preferably not "To be or not to be. . .") and, by a detailed attention to the poetry,
discuss the nature of Hamlet's feelings as they reveal themselves in this speech. What insights might this speech
provide into the prince's elusive character? Confine your attention strictly to the soliloquy you have selected and its
significance in the play.
11. Suicide is an important theme in Hamlet. Discuss how the play treats the idea of suicide morally, religiously, and
aesthetically, with particular attention to Hamlet’s two important statements about suicide: the “O, that this too too
solid flesh would melt” soliloquy (I.ii.129–158) and the “To be, or not to be” soliloquy (III.i.56–88). Why does Hamlet
believe that, although capable of suicide, most human beings choose to live, despite the cruelty, pain, and injustice of
the world?
Hamlet Essay Questions
Mr. Marino/ English IV
1. Compare and contrast Hamlet and Laertes. What traits do they have in common ? What are their differences? Be
sure to support your ideas with evidence from the text?
2. One of the great paradoxes of this play is that Hamlet, the hero of one plot, is the villain of the other. This
realization reflects directly the duality of human nature. What other characters does Shakespeare use to advance
similar notions? How?
3. How well does Hamlet fulfill his role as avenger? Would his father have approved of his handling of the task set
forth to him?
4. What is the role of Ophelia? Gertrude? How do they compare and contrast?
5. Does Hamlet undergo any developmental changes throughout the play? How does he grow psychologically?
Morally? Spiritually?
6. Analyze Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia. What is her purpose in the play? Does Hamlet ever really love her? Be
sure to back your claims up with textual details.
7. Is Hamlet prudent or foolish? Is his inability to act decisively his downfall or is it what makes him a hero? Use
evidence from the play to support your claims.
8. How much did Gertrude know about King Hamlet's murder? What evidence can you find that she might have
known? Evidence of her innocence? Which is more feasible?
9. Discuss the importance of appearance and reality in Hamlet (strong hint: Why is Hamlet so interested in the
players?).
10. Select one of Hamlet soliloquies (preferably not "To be or not to be. . .") and, by a detailed attention to the poetry,
discuss the nature of Hamlet's feelings as they reveal themselves in this speech. What insights might this speech
provide into the prince's elusive character? Confine your attention strictly to the soliloquy you have selected and its
significance in the play.
11. Suicide is an important theme in Hamlet. Discuss how the play treats the idea of suicide morally, religiously, and
aesthetically, with particular attention to Hamlet’s two important statements about suicide: the “O, that this too too
solid flesh would melt” soliloquy (I.ii.129–158) and the “To be, or not to be” soliloquy (III.i.56–88). Why does Hamlet
believe that, although capable of suicide, most human beings choose to live, despite the cruelty, pain, and injustice of
the world?