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.
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.
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?
