The structure of drama is sometimes based on the principle of action followed by reaction. Cite examples in Hamlet of a character’s own actions backfiring or reacting against him—a pattern that the Greeks called nemesis.
Relate Hamlet’s mental development to the meaning of the play.
How does the question of appearance and reality affect the meaning of the play?
Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies have moments of low comedy. Is comedy as serious a commentary on life as tragedy?
Our editor, Bernard Lott, (New Swan Shakespeare, Essex: Longman, 1990) on page ix says, “Hamlet lives and is significant today primarily because his experience…stirs the awareness of similar experiences in ourselves…Hamlet, placed in his own peculiar predicament, is shown responding to it in ways which are totally familiar to our own deepest natures.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
How do characters in the play change? From the following list choose two and trace the changes in their characters and account for these changes. Hamlet, Laertes, Claudius, Gertrude Ophelia
Emotion, reason and fate (i.e. time and accident) are key aspects of what happens in the play. Discuss how these elements interact to create tensions in the play and the role each plays in determining events in the play.
There are political and ethical dilemmas in the play; some apply only to Shakespeare’s time, but many other are universal. Discuss the dilemmas and why they belong only to the Renaissance or why they belong to all times.
Discuss the leitmotif (recurring imagery) of nature in the play and how the constant references to nature and to blemished (faulty) nature enhance the meaning of the play.
In the final analysis, is the stratagem of feigned madness necessary to Hamlet’s purposes? If you are of the opinion that the “antic disposition” is not necessary to Hamlet’s purposes, why then did Shakespeare add the element of feigned madness to the play?
The introduction and excerpts from noted literary critics, especially Coleridge, Bradley and Eliot, account for Hamlet’s delay in taking action. What are some theories that account for Hamlet’s procrastination of his “duty” to revenge his father?
After all of your reading, thinking and discussion, who finally, is Hamlet? There is no right answer to this question but there are well-reasoned and well-supported answers.
Setting: In Act 1, what figurative or symbolic images of apprehension, sickness, decay and disorder does Shakespeare use in order to introduce the overall concept of personal and political corruption in Denmark.
Setting: What does Shakespeare accomplish dramatically by beginning the last act in a graveyard?
Character: When and to whom does Claudius openly reveal his determination to remain king? Quote specific passages to illustrate your points.
Character: Why is Fortinbras the logical person to assume command of Denmark?
Plot: How does Hamlet’s unexpected return to Denmark affect Claudius? What does it prompt Claudius to do that speeds up the plot?
Plot: How does the ghost affect the plot?
Theme: One of the most pervasive themes throughout the play is that of appearance versus reality—that is the contrast between what seems to be and what actually is. Give specific examples of characters in the play who illustrate this theme.
Theme: Give examples of both situations and dialogue that emphasize the theme that love wanes with time. Cite also instances in which the opposite of this theme is expressed.
Analysis: What particular episodes in the play focus on the use of poison?
Analysis: Compare the common technique and purpose of the opening scene of Hamlet and those of other Shakespearean plays. Discuss the specific occurrences in the first scene of Hamlet and suggest why they are dramatically effective.
Comparative Literature: In what ways is the quest for revenge both similar and dissimilar in The Scarlett Letter and Hamlet?
Comparative Literature: Compare the dramatic conclusions of other tragedies by Shakespeare.
“Desire” is used throughout the play, both literally and figuratively. At the end of Act II, Blanche tells Mitch that Desire is the opposite of death. Explain her use of desire.
What does Williams’s depiction of Blanche and Stanley’s lives say about desire?
Traditionalism versus defiance in the Streetcar Named Desire.
Morality and Immorality in the Streetcar Named Desire and in the Picture of Dorian Gray.
Are there symbolic meanings suggested by the names of places (e.g. Desire, Elysian, Cemeteries) in the play? If so, explain the symbolic meaning.
The plot of A Streetcar Named Desire is driven by the dueling personalities of Blanche and Stanley. What are the sources of their animosity toward one another?
Blanche’s “world” is often contrasted to the world of Stanley’s and Stella’s. Blanche firmly states the kind of world she wants: “I don’t want realism. I want – magic!” In what way is Blanche’s world an illusion? Is it any less real than Stanley or Stella? What defines reality in A Streetcar Named Desire? What defines illusion?
A Streetcar Named Desire can be described as an elegy, or poetic expression of mourning, for an Old South that died in the first part of the twentieth century. Expand on this description.
At the end of the play, Blanche is taken away to an asylum. Do you believe she is insane? If she isn’t, what defines her sanity? Do you think she is responsible for her circumstances?
Describe the use of light in the play. What does its presence or absence indicate?
How does Blanche’s fascination with teenage boys relate to her decline and fall?
Compare and contrast Mitch to the other men in the play.
Compare and contrast Blanche and Stella.
Describe the relationship between Stanley and Stella. Since Blanche and Stella are sisters and share the same background, why do you think one sister is so attracted to Stanley and the other so repulsed by him? Can you find out a pattern in their marriage? Why is the word “animal” used on them?
From the beginning of the play to the end it presents a sexual tension. Describe the presence and influence of sexual desire that you see in the first three scenes. Does the attraction between Mitch and Blanche seem different from the attraction between Stanley and Stella?
The play includes many stage directions referring to music. What music and songs are present in the first three scenes (e.g. “the blue piano” and polka)? What is the significance of that music? In what ways is it symbolic? How does the music relate to the characters
Blanche drinking problems. Why does she drink? What is she nervous about?
Can you explain the dynamics of Blanche’s encounter with the newspaper boy? Why does Blanche flirt with him?
What does Blanche want from Mitch? Is she honest with him? Describe their relationship. Is Mitch an aristocratic southern gentleman? If not, provide examples to support your answer. Do they love each other? How is their relationship different from the relationship between Stanley and Stella?
Music is as much a part of A Streetcar Named Desire as the dialogue. It is often argued that music acts as a second dialogue within a play. Blanche explains her relationship with her husband. What does she unexpectedly learn about him? How does she respond to this? What does her husband do? How does Blanche respond to his death? Does this explain why the polka music repeats in her mind? What does this music symbolize for Blanche?
Why did Blanche have so many “intimacies with strangers” (118)?
Blanche and Stanley are alone in the apartment. Why is Stella not present? Blanche again mentions Shep Huntleigh. He, too, has taken on a symbolic meaning for Blanche. What does he represent to her? Why does she tell Stanley a lie about Shep Huntleigh? What does Stanley mean when he asks Blanche, “Shall we bury the hatchet and make it a loving-cup”? Why does Blanche say no?
At the end of the play, Blanche is taken away to an asylum. Do you believe she is insane? If she isn’t, what defines her sanity? Do you think she is responsible for her circumstances?
What do you think is the symbolic meaning of the Mexican woman selling flowers for the dead in scene nine?
Undoubtedly, you’ll benefit from writing your essay on one of The Crucible essay topics. All the below-listed topics are at your disposal. So choose one of The Crucible essay topics, which seem the most suitable for you, and develop it in the format of the essay.
Discuss the role that grudges and personal rivalries play in the witch trial hysteria.
How do the witch trials empower individuals who were previously powerless?
How does John Proctor’s great dilemma change during the course of the play?
Compare the roles that Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams play in The Crucible.
What role does sex, and sexual repression, play in The Crucible?
Why are Danforth, Hathorne, and the other authorities so resistant to believing the claim that Abigail and the other girls are lying?
What kind of government does Salem have? What role does it play in the action?
Analyze Reverend Parris. What are his motivations in supporting the witch trials?
Discuss the changes that Reverend Hale undergoes in the course of the play.
Compare and contrast the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism.
Understand the living conditions in Massachusetts in the 1700s.
Examine the dynamics of Puritanism in 1692.
Gather historical perspectives of American Colonial period.
What is your perception of the girls’ allegations in the play? Do they really believe in witchcraft or are they fabricating the events?
Is John Proctor a tragic figure? Compare his fate to that of such tragic literary figures as King Oedipus in Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex and the title character in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Examine the historical facts regarding the Salem Witch Trials and Joseph McCarthy’s hearings. In what ways does Miller employ these facts in the service of his drama? How do the two historical events compare to…
What was witchcraft? Who practiced it?
Describe the social response to witchcraft in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.
What social and religious factors are given to account for the harsh response to witchcraft?
What can you find out about modern witchcraft or Wicca?
Compare and contrast the characters of Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor.
Discuss Miller’s treatment of women in The Crucible.
Explain why the play is a tragic comedy.
Explain the symbolic characters and how they develop the themes.
Discuss how the themes of The Crucible make it both universal and enduring.
What is the function of Reverend Hale in the play?
Miller originally wrote The Crucible as a critique of McCarthyism, but he distanced his narrative by using the Salem witch trials as the setting for the play. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this approach.
At the end of the play, John Proctor recovers his sense of goodness by tearing up the confession that would have saved his life. Given his character and the events which have led up to this moment, do you find this act believable? Fully explain your response.
In The Crucible, Miller suggests that sacrifices may be necessary to restore the social order. Discuss the sacrifices made by the play’s characters and whether you think they are necessary.
How does the title relate to the story?
In The Crucible Arthur Miller is making pointed comments about individuals and how we should operate in society’. Discuss with reference to the text.
How are the characters tested and brought down to their essence?
What three characters are responsible for the trials and why?
How does the Crucible portray justice or injustice?
Compare the character of Elizabeth Proctor to that of Mary Warren. What value systems does each represent?
Discuss Elizabeth’s reaction to John’s infidelity. Is she being unreasonable?
How are the “little crazy children jangling the keys of the kingdom”?
What is Giles Corey’s role in the play?
Examine Elizabeth Proctor as a symbol of truth. How has her husband “paid for” this truthfulness?
What motivates Elizabeth to lie? Is a good name more important than the truth?
How is Mary Warren used by both sides? Does she have an individual identity?
Select a particular scene in Hamlet (preferably a short one) and discuss its importance in the play. How does this particular part of the action contribute to significantly to our response to what is going on? what might be missing if a director decide to cut this scene?
My scene is Act 5 Scene 1: Suicide scene of Ophelia~ the scene contributes to our response of death~ her action contributed to Laertes’ revenge on Hamlet (the sword battle) which also lead to the death of Hamlet’s mother and step father Claudius.
Song used: Bleeding love – Leona Lewis
Program used: Sony Vegas Pro. 8
Pictures: Google images.
Aristotle said that consistency and probability are the two most important elements in the drama. Does Shakespeare, in creating the characters in Hamlet, follow or ignore this idea? You may consider both major and minor characters.
Write an essay on the function of the soliloquies in Hamlet.
Discuss the function of a particular trope, such as Shakespeare’s use of the military or theatrical.
Discuss Shakespeare’s use of figures from nature (weeds, worms, et al.) or of sickness, rot and contagion.
Examine how Shakespeare makes use of classical allusions.
Discuss Hamlet’s “antic disposition.” Is his madness feigned or real?
Conflict is essential to drama. Show that Hamlet presents both an outward and inward conflict.
Is Hamlet primarily a tragedy of revenge?
Discuss Hamlet’s relationship with Gertrude.
How important is the general setting of Denmark to the overall play?
Why does Hamlet delay taking revenge on Claudius?
The character Claudius has been compared to Macbeth. How similar are these two characters? In what ways are they similar?
Compare Laertes with Hamlet: both react to their fathers’ killing/murder. Is the reaction of either right or wrong?
Compare and contrast the characters of Hamlet and Horatio. How alike or dislike are they and why?
Hamlet remarks, “His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.” Explain Hamlet’s motivation behind this comment and examine how true his remark is.
How important is the Ghost in the triangular relationship of Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius?
Although Hamlet ultimately rejects it at the end of the play, suicide is an ever-present solution to the problems in the drama. Discuss the play’s suggestion of suicide and imagery of death, with particular attention to Hamlet’s two important statements about suicide: the “O that this too, too solid flesh would melt” soliloquy and the “To be, or not to be” soliloquy.
Why did Ophelia commit a suicide? What was the reason of this deed?
Select one of Hamlet soliloquies 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?
Select a particular scene in and discuss its importance in the play. How does this particular part of the action contribute significantly to our response to what is going on? What might be missing if a director decided to cut this scene (e.g., Claudius at prayer, the scene between Polonius and Reynaldo, the gravedigger scene)
Discuss Hamlet’s treatment of and ideas about women. How might these help to clarify some of the interpretative issues of the play? You might want to consider carefully the way he talks about sexuality.
Hamlet’s flaw is that he fails to act on instinct – he thinks too much.
Discuss the importance of appearance and reality in Hamlet.
Reveal the philosophy of Hamlet by his affectionate love to theater.
Hamlet and Orestes have similar challenges, and their stories are, in many respects, quite alike. In what ways are the heroes significantly different?
What is the role of symbolic image of the Yorik’s skull in the play?
Is something rotten in the state of Denmark? If so, what precisely is it? Is anyone in particular responsible or is the rottenness simply a condition of life?
Write an essay defending one of the following options. “Hamlet is . . . -a noble prince who suffers from a corrupt world that is not suitable to his sensitive moral nature; -a true poet.”
Think about Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia. Does he love her? Does he stop loving her? Did he ever love her? What evidence can you find in the play to support your opinion?
Consider Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s role in the play. Why might Shakespeare have created characters like this? Are they there for comic relief, or do they serve a more serious purpose? Why does the news of their deaths come only after the deaths of the royal family in Act V, as if this news were not anticlimactic? Is it acceptable for Hamlet to treat them as he does? Why or why not?
Analyze the use of descriptions and images in Hamlet. How does Shakespeare use descriptive language to enhance the visual possibilities of a stage production? How does he use imagery to create a mood of tension, suspense, fear, and despair?
Analyze the use of comedy in Hamlet, paying particular attention to the gravediggers, Osric, and Polonius. Does comedy serve merely to relieve the tension of the tragedy, or do the comic scenes serve a more serious thematic purpose as well?
Learn the things you need to know about essay writing, and even get your essay topics here. We looked high and low – talked to all the experts and here you will find the best essay topics, not just good essay topics, but the interesting essay topics that will get your paper the best grade possible. Regardless of what level you are working on everything from high school, college, university, or even master’s level; you will find these lists of popular essay topics are always perfect for your needs. Ideas for every subject – Archeology, Business, Fine Arts, History, or even Zoology.
Free essay topics to get you on the right road to completing your essay writing. Get started with knowing what to write so that you can get back to the research and thesis development. These are unique essay topics, examples of essay writing topics to get your mind rolling around the opportunities and ideas that can get you moving. You know from experience that papers are reviewed for topics; this means your essay topic is important. Visit us for all your essay topic needs, and explore the possibilities.
