Hamlet question....

Iceboy

okay i was just wondering if you think i have covered enough in relation to what we get asked for hamlet, these are sample essays which i have written out and learned.

Essay on soliloquys
Essay on Claudius
Essay on Hamlet: a noble hero?
Essay on theme of revenge

enough?

MarkTheBaby

What I'm doing is making plans and writing introductions for different topics. Once you know the key moments fairly well and some quotes from these moments the essay writing isn't bad.

I'm planning essays for revenge, corruption, appearance vs reality and madness. I do alot of character study in my essays anyway so I figure that's my character essay if it comes up.

Salty

MarkTheBaby wrote: »

What I'm doing is making plans and writing introductions for different topics. Once you know the key moments fairly well and some quotes from these moments the essay writing isn't bad.

I'm planning essays for revenge, corruption, appearance vs reality and madness. I do alot of character study in my essays anyway so I figure that's my character essay if it comes up.

That's a really good idea! What are the key moments in the play though? I'm really woolly when it comes to Hamlet, it was the first thing I did in 5th year, and it's not working for me!

MarkTheBaby

_meehan_ wrote: »

That's a really good idea! What are the key moments in the play though?

1. Horatio, Bernardo and Marcellus witness ghost
2. Hamlet's first soliloquey (character mindset)
3. Hamlet witnesses ghost speak
4. rehersal of play > antic disposition
5. Mousetrap (play): alerts claudius, proof of murder
6. Prayer scene
7. Hamlet kills Polonius and is sent away
8. Ophelia's death
9. Ophelia's Funeral
10. Poison, Duel, death and end.

Cygni

Looked through the papers and also my teacher advised the class to have some topics perfectly ready, I picked these;

Theme of Deception, Kingship, Loyalty & Betrayal.
Hamlet's relationship with Gertrude and Ophelia.
Role of Women in the play.
The Hero Hamlet [with soliloquies].
The Villain Claudius.
The play's take on in the modern world.

I'm mostly betting on these Qs, don't care about the rest.

nommm

Praying for Claudius.

Wouldn't mind a question on the portrayl of women either. I just hope they don't put a question on about one of the minor characters like Laertes or Horatio.

Gav77

nommm wrote: »

Praying for Claudius.

Wouldn't mind a question on the portrayl of women either. I just hope they don't put a question on about one of the minor characters like Laertes or Horatio.

That would be the end of time

Salty

MarkTheBaby wrote: »

1. Horatio, Bernardo and Marcellus witness ghost
2. Hamlet's first soliloquey (character mindset)
3. Hamlet witnesses ghost speak
4. rehersal of play > antic disposition
5. Mousetrap (play): alerts claudius, proof of murder
6. Prayer scene
7. Hamlet kills Polonius and is sent away
8. Ophelia's death
9. Ophelia's Funeral
10. Poison, Duel, death and end.

Legend:)

CUS101

Iceboy wrote: »

okay i was just wondering if you think i have covered enough in relation to what we get asked for hamlet, these are sample essays which i have written out and learned.

Essay on soliloquys
Essay on Claudius
Essay on Hamlet: a noble hero?
Essay on theme of revenge

enough?

Look at Claudius Black Hearted Villian V Potentially good king, hes never been asked by himself
also theme of Appearance V Reality/ Deception in the play.Polonius is also an important character that hasn't been asked since the late 70's i think so be wise to give him a look. as for looking at the role of women in the play, i wouldn't get too caught up on it, the last two times Hamlet has been on the course was 05 and 02. in 02 they asked about Ophelia and Gertrude so doubt they will bring them up again in such a short space of time tbh...

Dannnnn

So,

What Hamlet questions do you guys think will come up in the exams next week? (Apologies for the daunting remark)

I'm only doing Hamlet vs. Claudius, Hamlet: Hero or Villain, Claudius, Women and Revenge, and hoping for the best.

If that isn't enough, well, bad times.

jonaldinho

im doing soliloquies as a question on them has never come up.

Bbbbolger

A lot of people seem to be hoping for Claudius. It really wouldn't suprise me if they put up a question on comparing Hamlet to Laertes or Hamlet to Horatio. Commenting on the role of the ghost would be another possibility.

soup1

jonaldinho wrote: »

im doing soliloquies as a question on them has never come up.

Good luck with that! In my opinion, if you cover Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, Laertes and Polonius, you should be covered for one question. As for a theme, well they are all the same - corruption/deception/poison etc.

jumpguy

Iceboy wrote: »

okay i was just wondering if you think i have covered enough in relation to what we get asked for hamlet, these are sample essays which i have written out and learned.

Essay on soliloquys
Essay on Claudius
Essay on Hamlet: a noble hero?
Essay on theme of revenge

enough?

I dunno, would soliloquays and theme of revenge be a possible question? There's not very much you can write on soliloquays, and the theme of revenge would be a very focussed essay (Hamlet of course, Laertes and perhaps Fortinbras could only be considered off the top of my head).

I'd be hoping myself for a Hamlet/Claudius contrast and comparison of sorts...

Iceboy

jumpguy wrote: »

I dunno, would soliloquays and theme of revenge be a possible question? There's not very much you can write on soliloquays, and the theme of revenge would be a very focussed essay (Hamlet of course, Laertes and perhaps Fortinbras could only be considered off the top of my head).

I'd be hoping myself for a Hamlet/Claudius contrast and comparison of sorts...

Yes I have sample essays written on both containing 5 A4 pages on each one, there is alot to write about soliloquys and theme of revenge they are essay questions that could easily come up

Bbbbolger

Just to actually answer the question you first asked, I personally think you're taking a bit of a risk with what you're studying. You have Revenge and Solioquies which could be asked as the "Play" question, and you have Hamlet and Claudius which could be asked as the "Character question. With only two options for each question you could be selling yourself awful short. I've decided just to study characters so I'll be most likely sure of being able to answer one question well.

Im studying Hamlet, Claudius, Laertes, Polonius, Gertrude, Ophelia, Horatio and the Ghost.

I havn't put much study into the two women as I doubt they'll come up again so soon. I'd say the question could be a comparison of one of the smaller parts (Horatio or Laertes) to Hamlet. With both there are many different ways of arguing your point so don't be fooled into thinking theres not enough in Laertes or Horatio to get asked on.

Iceboy

I might write up a couple more essays on Laertas and Horatio in comparison to Hamlet just to be safe

melekalikimaka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhVYgNdPJmc

sorted

The name's Hamlet's and I've got a tale
About madness, lust and a female
Dad's a ghost and he roams the floors
Lurks at night in Elsinore
Got a pale face just like Kiss paint, normal you know this ain't
Something is rotten up in Denmark, a sick mistake
My Uncle Claudius, his alibi is fishy
Suspicions of murder because he's acting hella shifty
Frailty - thy name is woman because my mom's on his D
A-N-I-S-H throne my Dad's ghost tells me
"Swear (swear, swear), to revenge my regicide,
Claudius iced me one night, under my crown he tries to hide
So Hamlet here's your mission: use your antic disposition
Make them think you're crazy, bring justice fuse the fission"
Meanwhile my girl Ophelia is goth as hell
Keeps a razor by her wrist, rocks out to Soft Cell
This girl has got more issues than Amy Winehouse
I'm like get thee to a nunnery, I'm not trying to find a spouse... and she says:

"Screw that forget about that I don't want to think about anything like that
Screw that forget about that I don't want to know about anything like that"

I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (forget it though)
I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (just let it go)

I'm an emo prince, non-committal as could be
You'd be non-committal too if you were flawed like me
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are on my back and I've had it
I've got these players down from Norway let them practice in the attic
I'll have them reenact the murder, watch my uncle's expression
The play's the thing to catch the king and teach him a lesson
My uncle freaks out at the play I know he did it just like OJ
Can't 187 while he prays because Hamlet won't play that way (nope!)
Confront my mom throw her down on the bed
Because this Oedipus complex has got me stressed in the head
Then I killed my girlfriend's dad, he was spying now he's dead
I screamed at my mom while the blood made the carpet turn red
See kings lose crowns but princes stay intelligent
R. Kelly has girl problems? this is drama, that's irrelevant
Opehlia bursts in throwing columbines and daises
Singing songs about lost virginity - she's honest but she's still crazy

And she says

"Screw that forget about that I don't want to think about anything like that
Screw that forget about that I don't want to know about anything like that"

I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (you've got to see)
I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (not you it's me)

We've got clowns in the graveyard and I'm talking to skulls
We've got murder and incest, who said Shakespeare was dull?
My girlfriend took her life, and I'm like "Goodness gracious"
Her brother wants to duel - Laertes is too pugnacious
My uncle dipped the tip of the saber in poison (deul time)
Then he poisoned the cup that mom started enjoyin' (tool time)
I got stabbed with the poison sword, then I stabbed my girlfriend's brother
and then I stabbed my uncle and we've all killed each other
To be or not to be? Well I guess that solves that one
And I would have stayed in Wittgenberg if I'd know that this would happen
If you're ever up in Denmark on a moonlit night
You'll hear Ophelia's sad song when the full moon's bright
Baby I'm sorry I messed up, good night my sweet princess
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest

and they sing

I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (forget it though)
I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (just let it go)

I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (you've got to see)
I've got nothing to do
but hang around and get screwed up on you (not you)

Happy.k

hey guys, could anyone send me any hamlet essays?please please please I'd really appreciate it!!!!

nicenri

I would LOVE a whole question on Horatio and his dramatic importance.
Other than that I'm hoping for a revenge question or Claudius.

Iceboy

nicenri wrote: »

I would LOVE a whole question on Horatio and his dramatic importance.
Other than that I'm hoping for a revenge question or Claudius.

Same I would love any of those to come up, also hoping for one on solilowuys or a general essay on hamlet and his nobility

PictureFrame

I'm only in 5th year, but we got 2 really weird questions on Hamlet in our Summer Tests, our teacher has told the 6th years that she thinks these will feature somewhere on the paper this year:

1. "Discuss Hamlet's state of Mind as portrayed throughout the Play"
2. "Discuss the differences between Hamlet, Laertes & Fortinbras as avengers in this Play"

what.to.do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8z4E0_-si4

Its all you'll need!

partyatmygaff

PictureFrame wrote: »

I'm only in 5th year, but we got 2 really weird questions on Hamlet in our Summer Tests, our teacher has told the 6th years that she thinks these will feature somewhere on the paper this year:

1. "Discuss Hamlet's state of Mind as portrayed throughout the Play"
2. "Discuss the differences between Hamlet, Laertes & Fortinbras as avengers in this Play"

Both of those questions would be brilliant.

1. A standard character based question.
2. A comparison between Hamlet and his foil characters.

Iceboy

PictureFrame wrote: »

I'm only in 5th year, but we got 2 really weird questions on Hamlet in our Summer Tests, our teacher has told the 6th years that she thinks these will feature somewhere on the paper this year:

1. "Discuss Hamlet's state of Mind as portrayed throughout the Play"
2. "Discuss the differences between Hamlet, Laertes & Fortinbras as avengers in this Play"

I would LOVE them to come up.

1. Essay on Hamlet basically
2. basically an essay on revenge

Bbbbolger

Fortinbras could throw a lot of people though. I doubt many are really studying his role in the play. I know I havnt and none of my class have either.

Evan93

jumpguy wrote: »

I dunno, would soliloquays and theme of revenge be a possible question? There's not very much you can write on soliloquays, and the theme of revenge would be a very focussed essay (Hamlet of course, Laertes and perhaps Fortinbras could only be considered off the top of my head).

I'd be hoping myself for a Hamlet/Claudius contrast and comparison of sorts...

I have to disagree with this, there's a copious amount of information you can write about soliloquies. Essentially, the insight we are given into Hamlet's & Claudius' characters is given wholly through soliloquies. It's lovely question & they have paramount importance in the play.

xclw

I'm learning:
Is Hamlet a noble Hero?
Claudius as a villain?
Conflict Between the 2
Hamlet's Madness
Soliloquys
Horatio
Theme Appearence vs Reality

do you think that'll have me covered more or less?

Iceboy

xclw wrote: »

I'm learning:
Is Hamlet a noble Hero?
Claudius as a villain?
Conflict Between the 2
Hamlet's Madness
Soliloquys
Horatio
Theme Appearence vs Reality

do you think that'll have me covered more or less?

keynotes

I would be lost without it, and yes im sure having all that info will cover you

Violafy

I would LOVE if revenge or deception/false appearances came up. Portrayal of women would be good too, as would the soliloquays or a question on Hamlet, as I have A1 essays on all of them. There are lots of rumours about Claudius coming up - that'd probably be a good question too, but I only have an essay plan/general points on him rather than an actual essay, so wouldn't feel quite as comfortable. I can't bring myself to do any more essays at this stage, and need to rest my hand for Thursday's frantic writing. Hopefully you should be fine with all you've done though!

xclw

Iceboy wrote: »

keynotes

I would be lost without it, and yes im sure having all that info will cover you

haha thanks! yeah same, if i didn't have it i think i just wouldn't study english

amortentia

I just realised I don't have an essay on revenge.. Out of the 15 essays I do have!

I made a plan:

OP: introducing theme
BP1: Ghost instructs Hamlet to avenge his murder
BP2: Hamlet's initial rage and desire to avenge, procrastination creeps in
BP3: Hamlet's attempts at revenge, Mousetrap and antic disposition
BP4: Fails to avenge at seminal moment (Claudius praying)
BP5: Hamlet spurred to revenge by seeing Fortinbras, Fortinbras and Laertes revenges
BP6: Laertes revenge leads to Hamlet's revenge
CP.

I know it's not great, could anyone give me some tips, pretty please? Or are there any other essays that I could sort of adapt parts of?

partyatmygaff

That plan sounds a bit too plot-driven. I'd be wary, it could lead the examiner in to viewing it as a summary of sorts.

amortentia

partyatmygaff wrote: »

That plan sounds a bit too plot-driven. I'd be wary, it could lead the examiner in to viewing it as a summary of sorts.

Thank you. Yeah, I see how it could appear that way.. Hmm. Do you have any idea of how I could make it better or change it completely? I was intending to describe the theme of revenge throughout the essay, just using those moments to guide it. Agh I don't know, I'm tired and it seems like all the learning is never ending.

partyatmygaff

Make it more logic-driven. Discuss each aspect of Hamlet separately. Dedicate one to his moral views on revenge, another perhaps on his passion to exact revenge and then perhaps a third paragraph to tie the two together under the larger heading of procrastination.

amortentia

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Make it more logic-driven. Discuss each aspect of Hamlet separately. Dedicate one to his moral views on revenge, another perhaps on his passion to exact revenge and then perhaps a third paragraph to tie the two together under the larger heading of procrastination.

Brilliant, thank you. That was exactly what I needed to get my brain going. Got lots of ideas now. Good luck!

Anita Blow

I was told in a grinds course by an examiner that if you're doing an answer on revenge the structure should be:
Intro

Hamlet

Laertes

Fortinbras

Pyrrhus (only a small paragraph)

Conclusion

Just discuss how they're all avenging sons and how they all contribute to theme of revenge.

Iceboy

Anita Blow wrote: »

I was told in a grinds course by an examiner that if you're doing an answer on revenge the structure should be:
Intro

Hamlet

Laertes

Fortinbras

Pyrrhus (only a small paragraph)

Conclusion

Just discuss how they're all avenging sons and how they all contribute to theme of revenge.

That is exactly how I have my essay on revenge layed out, would love a question to come up on it

Salty

Anita Blow wrote: »

I was told in a grinds course by an examiner that if you're doing an answer on revenge the structure should be:
Intro

Hamlet

Laertes

Fortinbras

Pyrrhus (only a small paragraph)

Conclusion

Just discuss how they're all avenging sons and how they all contribute to theme of revenge.

I'm confused about Fortinbras' role in the play. Anyone willing to explain?:P

partyatmygaff

Anita Blow wrote: »

I was told in a grinds course by an examiner that if you're doing an answer on revenge the structure should be:
Intro

Hamlet

Laertes

Fortinbras

Pyrrhus (only a small paragraph)

Conclusion

Just discuss how they're all avenging sons and how they all contribute to theme of revenge.

Would you really need to give something that minute a paragraph to itself though? Personally, i'd give it a passing mention and no more.

BeanbagBallbag

_meehan_ wrote: »

I'm confused about Fortinbras' role in the play. Anyone willing to explain?:P

Young Fortinbras and all his cronies come to conquer Denmark because Claudius refused his demand that the land Old King Hamlet inherited by slaying Old Fortinbras be returned to Norway. I think?

Anita Blow

_meehan_ wrote: »

I'm confused about Fortinbras' role in the play. Anyone willing to explain?:P

Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are the 3 avenging sons of the play.
Fortinbras reclaiming land lost to Denmark after his dad lost honourably in a fight with King Hamlet.
Laertes and Fortinbras act as foils to Hamlet. Both carry out revenge decisively but Fort is reckless. Seeing Fort carry out revenge all for a "little patch of ground" when Hamlet has more reason to avenge, focuses hamlet on his task.

Anita Blow

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Would you really need to give something that minute a paragraph to itself though? Personally, i'd give it a passing mention and no more.

It's only like 5 or 6 lines but I was told you'd need to use it. Sticking it in to Hamlet's, Laertes' or Fort's paragraph would look messy.

partyatmygaff

According to my English teacher, a question on imagery may come up this year for Hamlet considering there is a new Chief Examiner who may want to break the whole "Character/theme/scene" styled questions that have been coming up over the past few years.

Dr.Evil

Make a point along the lines of how in Hamlet's 6th soliloquy, it becomes clear that Hamlet has some admiration for the dedication of Fortinbras, "the delicate and tender prince whose spirit with divine and ambition puffed, makes mouths at the invisible event". He's ready to risk death and march "even for an eggshell". This is the opposite to Hamlet whose "native hue of resolution is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought". I think there's another quote where Hamlet compares about how he has such a strong reason for revenge, that he doesn't understand why Fortinbras can do such tasks and he can't.
Basically from thinking of Fortinbras and watching his active revenge, he motivates himself, "from this point forth, my thoughts be bloody or nothing worth".

Ugh..I'd hate a language/imagery type question, I don't like studying the whole disease imagery bits. There is loads of it..but eww.

Wats_in_a_name

If the question was a Claudius Character essay how would you do the introduction? Have all the other paragraphs sorted except the introduction!

Bbbbolger

The intro would have to be completely based on the question. I very much doubt we'll be asked "Discuss/describe the character of Claudius." It will be a specific question so you would have to either agree, disagree or disagree in part with the question. You would then mention the topics you are going to explore to prove your point of view e.g. "Claudius does, however, have some good qualities which show he isn't a truly evil character." Give a general sentence like this for each papragraph you plan on writing. When i get to the pargraph I mentioned above I'd focus on his proficiency as Head of State and of his attempts at spiritual healing in the Prayer Scene. Just basically map out your question for the examiner so that he/she sees where you plan on going with it.

Iceboy

Wats_in_a_name wrote: »

If the question was a Claudius Character essay how would you do the introduction? Have all the other paragraphs sorted except the introduction!

Here is my opening

Claudius is clearly the villian of the play. He is a murderer and a usurpur. He ruthlessly kills his own brother because he wants both his crown and wife for himself. He cleverly hides himself behind a kindly exterior. While he is a throughly unappealing character, he is not without humanity. His complexity makes him an entirely credible villian.

Fireball07

Iceboy wrote: »

Here is my opening

Not trying to be clever or anything but there are a couple of spelling mistakes in that intro. They might be typos and it probably wouldn't affect your overall mark but there's no point throwing away even 1 mark.

"Villain" and "usurper"

Cumingi

Would anyone be able to help me with introductions to a few hamlet essays? im very bad at english and realy need help anything would be realy appreciated!

Iceboy

Fireball07 wrote: »

Not trying to be clever or anything but there are a couple of spelling mistakes in that intro. They might be typos and it probably wouldn't affect your overall mark but there's no point throwing away even 1 mark.

"Villain" and "usurper"

good spot cheers