Hamlet Take Home Test - Response Essay
Answer ONE of the following questions in 750-850 word response:
1) The hero in a Shakespearean play always contributes in some way to the disaster in which he perishes. How true is this in Hamlet?
2) Discuss the use of imagery in Hamlet and show how it reinforces one central theme in the play.
3)A FOIL is a character that contrasts with the protagonist, thus highlighting various qualities of the main chracter's personality. Choose two of the following characters and descibe how they are foils in Hamlet: a)Horatio, b)Laertes, c) Fortinbras
EXPECTATIONS:
essay must be typed and double spaced, and you must use Times New Roman, size 12 font. Also give your essay a creative title.
You should include atleast 3 references to support your argument. You can use direct quotes or paraphase. Be sure to reference your source, using MLA referencing style. Do not include a bibliography.
OK! so this is my assignment, and I don't quite know what topic I should use. What should I use?
If I use what you say, what arguments should I do and their reference to support. What direct quotes or paraphase should I use to support what srgument.
And how do I reference my source, where on the sheet?...im so confused and most importantly what creative title should I use??? PLEASE HELP!!!
I really need this mark
I appreciate your time!Thankyou!!
All three are good topics, and you shouldn't have any trouble writing about whichever you choose.
1. Hamlet is the "hero" in this play, and he definitely dies at the end. How do his thoughts and actions during the play lead to his inevitable death?
2. There's imagery all over the place in this play. You shouldn't have any trouble finding references!! What you'd have to do first, though, is to identify which theme you want to use. If you use this topic, stick with that theme (one theme, not two or three or more) only.
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/hamlet/themes.html
Pick one and run with it.
3. The strongest foil to write about here is Laertes. We don't see enough or know enough about Horatio or Fortinbras to make a good case, IMO. I'd use Laertes and contrast all his actions with all of Hamlet's: his immediate reaction to the news of his father's death; his actions after his father's death; etc. (Hint: He comes across as a total contrast to Hamlet's thoughts and actions after learning of HIS father's death.)
Here is a good webpage that gives you information about quoting and references when you're writing about literature:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/literature.htm
Every time you use quotations from the play itself in your paper, you need to tell which Act, Scene, and Line(s) the quotation comes from. Here's an example:
"How dangerous is it that this man goes loose!
Yet must not we put the strong law on him.
He’s loved of the distracted multitude,
Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes."
(Act 4, Scene 3, ll. 2-5)
Let me know what you decide ... and if you need further help.
This website may help you, too: original Shakespearean English in the left column; "translated" modern English in the right column.
http://nfs.sparknotes.com/hamlet/page_2.html
ok I choose number 3 with Laertes...What should my creative title be...and 3 references? and arguments...and i nee to do about 750 words howmuch will that be....i need a lot of information and how do i do it in MLA format....Thankyou for all your help I really appreaciate it ALOT!!!
1. Don't worry about the title yet. It should be the LAST thing you deal with. How can you write a title for a paper you haven't planned or written yet?
2. Plan your paper!
Choose 3 or 4 actions of each character that are opposites; then go back into the play and find where those actions take place. You'll pull your quotations (references) from those places.
3. Here's an overall website that will help you with MLA format and citations:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Can you tell me 3 arguments I should use about Laertes and can u give me an example of how I can include 3 references to support my argument.... what is my argument going to be...and how should I make my title creative I am honestly really confused and how do I use MLA to reference a source? What source? ...-_-!
Your source is the play itself!
I can't tell you what your argument is going to be. Start with the idea that Shakespeare included Laertes in this play to be a contrast (a foil). Now ... choose 3 places in the play that show how Hamlet reacted to his father's death and the ghost's demand for vengeance ... and then choose 3 places in the play that show how Laertes reacted to his father's death.
These are not difficult. Make a list for each character. Then repost.