Hamlet Essay Questions
Test your knowledge of Hamlet with these sample essay Questions.
Click on the Essay Plan buttons as a guide on how to answer the question.
Questions
In Hamlet Shakespeare includes many characters who are there to contrast with Hamlet, most notably, Horatio, Laertes and Fortinbras. Compare and contrast Hamlet to these characters.
The examiner is looking for you to show that you understand the relationship between all characters but more importantly that you understand the fabric of Hamlet’s character and how this is similar or different to other characters.
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to argue either for or against this statement, i.e In this essay I am going to explore the relationship Hamlet has with other characters in this play.………..
2 – Relationships
What are Hamlet’s relationships with other character like? What makes Hamlet’s relationships?
Consider his words and actions towards others.
3 - Compare and Contrast
How is he similar or different to Horatio, Claudius, Fortinbras and Laertes.
E.g. Horatio is loyal and steadfast whilst Hamlet is inconsistent and excitable.
However they both share reason and thought.
Claudius is immoral and lustful whilst Hamlet is moral and concerned.
Fortinbras’s willingness toavange his father’s death contrasts with Hamlet’s inactivity in avenging his father.
4 – Summary of comparison
Sum up what you have found from this comparison e.g. Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are all able to seek revenge.
Hamlet is avenged and seeks revenge thus these men are all intertwined.
5 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion
How is Hamlet similar and different to these characters?
Why did Shakespeare choose to present him in this way?
Critics claim that Hamlet is a play with a major tragic flaw – its main character. ‘The inaction of Hamlet coupled with his melancholy attitude ultimately lead to his demise’ How far do you agree with this statement?
The examiner is looking for you to show that you understand the idea of the tragic flaw and how Hamlet’s character in many ways determines his fate. You should try to consider both sides of the argument.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to argue either for or against this statement, i.e In this essay I am going to explore the fact that Hamlet’s inaction leads to his downfall
2 – Hamlet’s attitude
Hamlet possesses characteristics that lead to his downfall E.g his melancholy state, his inability to act.
3 - Hamlet is responsible
Select examples which support the statement that Hamlet is responsible and why you think he is \is not responsible for his own fate
4 – Hamlet isn’t responsible
Select a few examples which support the idea that Hamlet is not responsible E.g consider how much power he actually has, consider whether he could or could act, was it appropriate?
Is life a controllable force?
Did Hamlet really know the consequences of his actions?
5 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion do you or do you not agree with the statement?
To what extent do you or do you not agree?
Hamlet continually claims to be feigning madness throughout the play, however his role is dealt with so intensely that at times we believe he has slipped into insanity. Do you believe Hamlet to be mad? or is he simply playing his part?
The examiner is looking for you to show that you understand the character if Hamlet and his powerful role in the play. The question also wants you to consider the theme of madness and whether or not Hamlet is mad.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to argue whether you believe Hamlet to be mad or not.
2 – Madness as a theme
Discuss the theme of madness – it effects several characters in the play and Hamlet does show some mad traits.
3 - Is Hamlet mad?
Select a few examples which you believe show Hamlet to be mad or not to be mad.
Consider to what extent these examples show madness. E.g. Is he simply reacting to a situation?
4 – Is Hamlet playing his part?
Select a few examples which suggest Hamlet is simply playing a part in an attempt to seek revenge.
Why does Hamlet act in this way?
What is his motive?
Does it suggest he is mad?
5 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion do you or do you not think Hamlet is mad?
To what extent do you or do you not believe he is mad ?
Consider the use of description in Hamlet. Consider how Shakespeare uses images to create mood of tension, suspense, fear and despair.
The examiner is looking for you to show that you understand how and why Shakespeare uses imagery to create mood.
You need to use PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) throughout to show that you understand how and why mood is created.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do?
You are going to explore how and why Shakespeare uses imagery to create mood.
2 – Tension and Suspense
Use PEE throughout and select examples of where imagery is used to create tension and suspense.
Why is it used here?
What is the effect of this imagery ? - E.g Ghost, final scene,
3 – Fear and Despair
Use PEE throughout and select examples of where imagery is used to create a mood of fear and despair .
Why is it used here?
What is the effect of this imagery? E.g Ophelia, Hamlet
4 – Other examples of Imagery
Use PEE to select other examples of imagery – E.g when imagery is used for comical purposes or to show grief or happiness.
5 – Conclusion
Your conclusion is an opportunity for you to sum up how and why imagery is used and how it forms a vital part of the play, in order to engage and entertain the audience.
Remember to use PEE throughout
Consider how Shakespeare uses comedy in Hamlet. Pay attention to the gravediggers, Osric and Polonius. Why does Shakespeare use this comedy? Is it simply to relieve the tension or does it serve a bigger purpose?
The examiner is looking for you to show that you understand the sub plot as well as the main plot of the play, here it is specifically comedy. You MUST be able to select examples and consider their purpose in the play.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to consider why Shakespeare uses comedy in the play.
2 – Comedy
Using PEE (Point, Evidence, Explantion) select a few comical episodes.
First explain them and reference them then explore why you think they are used.
Consider where they come in the play – is a particularly tragic event followed immediately by a comical event.
3 - Why use comedy?
You will use PEE to say why you think comedy has been used.
This will be more of an analysis you will be expected to say why you think it is used and justify its use by using specific quotations and considering the whole play.
4 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion why is comedy used?
To what extent is it used and does it always meet its purpose?
REMEMBER TO USE P.E.E THROUGHOUT
The theme of suicide is important in Hamlet. How does Shakespeare deal with this theme? You should refer to the following statements : “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt” soliloquy (I.ii.129–158) and “To be, or not to be” soliloquy (III.i.5)
The examiner is looking for you to show that you not only understand the theme of suicide and how it effects the characters but also that you understand how suicide is dealt with.
You MUST pay attention to and analyse the specific scenes mentioned.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do?
You are going to explore the theme of suicide throughout the play.
You are going to consider how suicide effects characters and how it is dealt with in the play.
2 – Suicide as a theme
Select examples were suicide is prominent as a theme in the play E.g Ophelia
3 - How is Suicide dealt with?
Consider the two named scenes how is suicide dealt with?
Hamlet believes that people choose NOT to commit suicide.
Why is this important in the play?
Analyse how the two scenes deal with suicide. Do they show it to be immoral?
If so what impact does this have on characters.
4 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion how is suicide dealt with?
What does the play tell us about suicide?
Why is this theme important?
REMEMBER TO USE P.E.E THROUGHOUT
Look at Act 3 Scene 4 ‘He will come straight. Look you lay home to him …’ What effect do Hamlet’s and Gertrude’s words and actions in this scene have on your thoughts and feelings?
The examiner wants you to show your understanding of this scene and how the characters of Hamlet and Gertrude effect your opinion.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to consider the scene in detail and consider the role of Hamlet and Gertrude in this scene.
2 – Hamlet and Gertrude
Consider the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude.
Consider their actions and words in this scene what do these actions and words tell you about Gertrude and Hamlet.
3 - Your Opinion
How do the words and actions of Hamlet and Gertrude impact you?
How do they make you feel?
How do their actions alter your feelings and thoughts towards you?
4 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion using your analysis of this scene sum up the effect of words and actions in this scene.
REMEMBER TO USE P.E.E THROUGHOUT
How does Shakespeare present and use revenge in Hamlet? Consider: The presentation of revenge, The use of revenge, How does revenge moves the play forward.
The examiner is looking for you to show that you understand the theme of revenge in the play and how revenge is used and presented in the play.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to consider the theme of revenge in the play and how it is used by characters and presented by Shakespeare.
2 – The presentation of revenge
Consider how revenge is shown in the play. Why is revenge used? How is revenge used? How is revenge presented? Is revenge presented as something positive or negative
3 - The use of revenge
How is revenge used in play? How do characters use revenge to seek approval or gain?
Your analysis must focus on the use and presentation of power, you need to use quotations to support all of your comments.
4 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion using your analysis of revenge sum up how revenge is presented and used in the play.
REMEMBER TO USE P.E.E THROUGHOUT
‘Though Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most famous and most popular tragedy, the tragic action is constantly disturbed by comedy or irrelevance and the protagonist is inadequate as a tragic hero.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
The examiner is looking for you to deal with the two separate parts of this statement: a.) the tragic action is disturbed and b) the protagonist is inadequate.
You MUST argue for or against each statement and come to a firm conclusion as to whether or not you believe this statement to be true.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to argue either for or against this statement, i.e. In this essay I will consider whether or not Hamlet is disturbed and inadequate as the play’s protagonist.
2 – The tragic action
Use examples from the text to argue whether or not the tragic action is disturbed by comedy and irrelevance.
You need to be specific and focus on relevant parts of the text.
You should also address Hamlet’s inaction as a result of this disruption.
3 - The protagonist is inadequate
Use examples from the text to argue whether or not the protagonist is inadequate.
Be specific and use relevant examples to support your opinion.
4 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion do you or do you not agree with the statement?
To what extent do you or do you not agree?
Maybe end with a quotation
REMEMBER TO USE P.E.E THROUGHOUT
Explore Ophelia’s speech in Act 3 Scene 1, ‘O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!’ until ‘T’have seen what I have seen, see what I see!’ What is your response to Ophelia?
The examiner is looking for you to show that you understand the character of Ophelia how she behaves and her words and actions.
The examiner is looking for a detailed analysis of this scene and for you to give examples from other scenes.
The examiner also wants your response, your opinion.
Plan
1 – Introduction
What are you going to do? You are going to explore Ophelia’s character and comment on her words and actions throughout the play.
2 – Act 3 Scene 1
Use this scene to analyse Ophelia’s words and actions.
Consider what your response is to these words and actions and what this tells you about Ophelia.
3 - Ophelia
Select examples from other parts of the play which support your response to Ophelia.
How does she behave? How does she treat others?
Look at language and imagery used to describe Ophelia.
4 – Your opinion
You MUST now put across your response to Ophelia’s character.
What is your response to Ophelia? what is your opinion of Ophelia?
Ensure you use quotations to support.
5 – Conclusion
Come to a firm conclusion use your analysis to sum up your response and opinion – you could combine 4 and 5 if you wish.
REMEMBER TO USE P.E.E (Point, Evidence, Explanation) THROUGHOUT
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