Question Description

INSTRUCTIONS

 

(1) Select a scene below after you’ve read the play.

 

(2) Caution: Don’t overthink this.  It’s short, to the point, and just your opinion.

  MLA FORMAT.  TEXTBOOK  ONLY  – 

The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Shorter Third Edition.. Ed. Martin Pucher et al. Vol. 1. New York: W. W. Norton, 2013.

Print. 2 vols.

YOUR SIMPLE THESIS STATEMENT

 

FINISH THIS SENTENCE: 

 

In Shakespeare’s classic tragedy “Hamlet,” [INSERT YOUR CHOSEN SCENE HERE]is pivotal to the development and success of the entire play in 3 distinct ways.

TIME TO CHOOSE A SCENE:

(NOTE: If you do NOT have an A average in this class, stick with this sentence structure. Don’t wander off into a character analysis–this will help you stay focused. Then just come up with your 3 main points and quotes to back it up as you did with Midterm Essay.  If you’re confident, then rewrite it however you see fit.)

 

CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING SCENES:

 

(CITATION REMINDER:  See all those little numbers?  1.5.114.-90, etc.?

As explained, scenes are given by Act/Scene/Line: 1.2.64-92 means Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 64-92.  This is often done with Shakespeare plays and is helpful for you to find since I can’t offer page numbers here.

But don’t use those in your essay. I’m leaving them here to help you find the lines, but I want you use text citations just as you did with the Midterm Essay, as a hedge against unintended plagiarism.  EXAMPLE:  (Shakespeare 1233)

If the Writing Lab suggests otherwise, then stick with my preference as we’ve done all term, please.

YOUR ONLY CHOICES ARE THESE SCENES BELOW.

IF YOU WRITE ON ANY OTHER TOPIC OR USE LINE NUMBERS, THE ESSAY WILL FAIL.

 

1) “The Hamlet Saw a Ghost” Scene: Hamlet’s state of mind when he speaks with his friends Horatio and Marcellus after Hamlet has seen the Ghost–1.5.114-90. Include in your discussion Hamlet’s plan to put on an “antic disposition.” In light of the rest of the play, what does this add to the rising action of the tragedy?

 

2) Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” Soliloquy–[I HAVE DELETED THIS FROM YOUR CHOICES IN ORDER TO OFFER IT AS YOUR SAMPLE ESSAY.]

 

3) The “Nunnery” Scene--3.1.88-143. The performance history of the “nunnery scene” is notable for the many different ways that actors play it. Sometimes the setting is private, perhaps even in Ophelia’s private chambers. Sometimes Hamlet is tender; sometimes he is violent. In the version of the filmed play you saw, which was it? And in your reading of the play, how does the passage show Hamlet and Ophelia truly feel about each other? And does Hamlet know that Claudius and Polonius are watching him? At what point does he know? And why? And what ramifications does that have for the rest of the story?

 

4) “The Mousetrap” Scene--3.2.121-246. The play-within-a-play scene. What is a “dumb show”? (Check online resources for Hamlet for information.) Explore why this scene is appropriately called “The Mousetrap” scene. Who sets the trap? How is the trap baited? Who is the “mouse?” Is there more than one “mouse”? Explore the behaviors and movements in this selection. How effective is “The Mousetrap”? In light of what happens with it, how is the plot propelled by it?

 

5) The “Claudius at Prayer” Scene–3.337-99. Note that both Claudius and Hamlet have significant roles in this selection. Explore the behaviors and motivations of both Claudius and Hamlet. Focus on what this passage contributes to the character development of the two principal characters. And about that character development, what do you as a reader know now that you didn’t know before, i.e. what does Shakespeare let you know–and how does that affect what happens next?

 

6) The “Closet” Scene–3.4. (This scene takes place in Gertrude’s private chambers, not in a closet as we use the word today.) The selection has three main parts?Choose one or all of them to discuss: Hamlet’s argument with Gertrude; Hamlet’s seeing the Ghost again; Hamlet killing Polonius. Or focus on the overall significance of the selection to the play as a whole.

 

7) Ophelia’s “Mad” Scene–4.5. The appearance of the mad (as in “insane”) Ophelia is disturbing to Laertes, Claudius, and Gertrude. Why? How individually do they respond? Keep your main perspective on what the selection contributes to the play overall. REMEMBER that your essay is NOT about why she went mad. Your essay is about why the scene is pivotal to the success of the play!

 

8) The Gravediggers Scene–5.1. The main focus of this scene is death. Explore how this selection approaches death in both comic and tragic modes. Be sure you consider why Ophelia’s burial is such a sensitive matter. Consider also the significance of the scuffle between Hamlet and Laertes in Ophelia’s grave. Then stop and think–how is this death the tipping point for what happens next?

 

9) The Final Scene–5.2. This selection brings together many of the threads of the play. The action is rapid, making the scene rather demanding for the reader/writer. Don’t try to cover the entire scene; select one of the threads to write about–while always referring back to its importance to the scene’s effectiveness to the ending. For example, consider the role of poison in the success of the scene. Or consider how a director can convey the importance of Horatio. Or consider the importance of Fortinbras, remembering that many directors have cut his part altogether. The Kenneth Branagh Hamlet film is a good one that didn’t cut it.) If you choose this scene, you will want to explore this question, perhaps in your conclusion: Do we find the ending of the play satisfying or disturbing? How well does the ending tie in with the beginning?

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 HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR ESSAY: OUTLINE

(HANDY REMINDER)

Introduction (HOOK) that leads into:

 

· The Thesis Sentence (BIG IDEA) 

Paragraphs of essay:

·  Main point #1–example from your scene with comment/quote

·  Main point #2-example from your scene with comment/quote

·  Main point #3-example from your (or another) scene with comment/quote  (You may choose another scene to quote to make your pt, but only do it once. Or you can have all 3 from your scene.)

 

· Conclusion-Step Back. Think of entire saga and the point you’re trying to make. What have you learned and what is the impact on the story?

 

· Works Cited Page

  (See Works Cited Folder for full text citation to use. Also use it for how to cite your page citations correctly!)

 

LENGTH:  GO by Length stated above, remember!  More or less will count against you.

 

OTHER REMINDERS

• Decide what scene was most interesting and important to how the play unfolds–and then why. Doing so makes you think about the entire play and how Shakespeare masterfully plotted the story.

• Use the questions I’ve added to each of your choices above for a jumpstart. Have fun with it, but stay focused on your thesis.

• Under NO circumstances should the paper become a retelling of what happens in these Hamlet scenes alone.

• Dissect the scene with an eye to its relevance to the overall plot and impact of the play.

• You will be PROVING how the action in your scene makes the rest of the story unfold as it does. Regardless of which passage/scene you choose, your paper should show the overall relevance of the passage to the play.

• You will be thinking deeply and coming to conclusions about a scene, everything that is going on, and how Shakespeare used your chosen scene to further the action and the impact and success of the entire play.