Hamlet Character Analysis Essay
Assignment: Your assignment is to write a character analysis of the character you “studied” in the movie
version of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Please choose three adjectives that describe that character
throughout the play. These adjectives, or character traits, will be the basis of your five-paragraph essay and
answer the question: How and why is your character important to the plot of the play?
Character choices:
Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, Ophelia, Polonius, and Laertes.
Requirements:
 Your thesis statement should be stated directly in your introduction and be proven throughout your body
paragraphs. Answer this: How and why is your character important to the plot of the play?
 You must use at least one quotation from the paly in each of the three body paragraphs to support your
ideas.
 These quotations must be correctly documented according to MLA guidelines… refer to “Format for
Quotations” below.
 The paper must be typed in 12 point font and double-spaced.
 The paper must have a title…do not underline it or put it in quotes.
 Length – The paper should be at least one full page typed, but no more than two pages.
Deductions will be made for the following errors:
 1st and 2nd person pronouns… keep your paper in 3rd person.
 Grammar, spelling, and usage errors
 Tense shifts…write in all present or all past tense…be consistent.
 Not italicizing the title
 Misidentifying the characters and/or plot events
Writing Your Thesis Statement…
As you know, a thesis statement is a sentence that tells the reader what the rest of the essay is about. Good
thesis statements do not simply announce a topic; they say something about the topic, and it provides the
framework for your paper. Never start a thesis with, “In this paper I will discuss…”
A thesis statement tells the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of the paper. It summarizes the
conclusion that the writer has reached about the topic. It should answer how the character is important to the
plot of the play.
Notice the three character traits here...
Example: Through Horatio’s integrity, assistance, and conversation, he helps Hamlet prove and revenge his
father’s murder.
Essay:
Susan Smith
Ms. McComb
Character Analysis
English 12 – 1 (or 4, 6)
23 February 2015
Paragraph #1
Introduction – general comments about the character and/or the play which lead you to your thesis statement
(described above). Be sure you have identified the author and title of the play and the character you will be
analyzing. Some questions you could address in your introduction include:
 Why did you pick this character?
 What do you like and/or dislike about this character?
End with the thesis statement (please see above).
Paragraphs #2 - #4
Three Body Paragraphs – the topic sentence for each body paragraph includes one character trait you chose
to describe your character. For example, “Horatio is a man of great integrity.”
Follow the topic sentence with evidence from the play: examples from the story that support your topic
sentence, and at least one direct quotation from the play in each body paragraph.
Next, explain how your examples support your topic sentence (and why they are important), and conclude each
body paragraph with a summarizing “clincher” sentence to wrap-up your ideas.
Paragraph #5
Conclusion – What are some final thoughts about your character and/or the play…leave your reader in awe of
your wisdom! What lessons do you think William Shakespeare wanted audiences to learn from this character
and this play?
For Quotations



Create an intro to your quotation that helps the reader understand its meaning. This is called a “tag line” or
INTRODUCTION (I.C.E).
After every quote, write the act, scene, and lines that the quote is found on in parenthesis, followed by
period.
EXPLAIN how the example/quote supports your topic sentence. Explanations should be just as long as or
longer than the quote. Even if you think it is obvious how the quote supports your topic sentence, explain it!
An example of Horatio’s integrity can be seen when Hamlet asks Horatio what brought
him to Elsinore. When Horatio says he came for Hamlet’s father’s funeral, Hamlet asks
him, “I think it was to see my mother’s wedding.” Instead of ignoring the fact that
Hamlet is upset his mother has married so quickly, and has perhaps said more than he
would under normal circumstances, Horatio says, “Indeed, my lord, it followed hard
upon” (1.2.177). Horatio could have ignored Hamlet’s comment, or denied it, but
instead, he answers honestly with, yes, her marriage happened soon after your father’s
funeral. Few people, usually only true friends, dare to be this honest-especially with a
topic so delicate.
Introduction
Character Analysis Prewriting
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Thesis Statement:
Body Paragraph 1 Adjective:
Body Paragraph 2 Adjective:
Body Paragraph 3 Adjective:
Example
Example
Example
Quote
Quote
Quote
Where did you find this?
Conclusion
Explain
Where did you find this?
Explain
Where did you find this?
Explain
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________