HAMLET ESSAY QUESTIONS & ANSWER

SUGGESTIONS
1. Hamlet is known for his hesitation before avenging his father. This is directly contrasted with Laertes’
impatience to take revenge. Compare the hesitation of Hamlet with the impatience of Laertes, and then
explain which approach you think is best. (OES)
2. Throughout Hamlet, Hamlet himself is obsessed with thoughts of death, an important theme in the play.
Discuss how he feels about death. Then consider the deaths of two characters, and discuss whether or
not these deaths, support his ideas. (OES)
3. Many characters do not appear to be what they are in Hamlet. Discuss Hamlet’s obsession with the
theme of appearance and reality throughout the play. Comment on Hamlet and on at least three other
characters. (OES)
4. Comment on Hamlet’s relationship with Laertes, Ophelia, Horatio and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern,
showing what each relationship reveals about Hamlet. (OES)
5. Each of the parents in Hamlet takes a different approach to being a parent. Compare and contrast
Gertrude, Old Hamlet and Polonius as parents. (OES)
6. “In the first Act Marcellus says, ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.’ This rot is evident at political
as well as personal level.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? In your answer, comment
on the political questions of who rules Denmark, and the relationships between Denmark and other
countries, and on the personal questions of the relationships between Claudius and Gertrude, and
Hamlet and Ophelia. (OES)
7. Show how the theme of evil and corruption is developed by Shakespeare’s use of imagery throughout
the play. (BB)
8. Would you agree that Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern get their just desserts in the play, or do
you feel sorry for them? Justify your answer by tracing their various roles in the play, and commenting
upon them. (BB)
9. Throughout the play, Hamlet claims to be feigning madness, but his portrayal of a madman is so
intense and so convincing that many readers believe that Hamlet actually slips into insanity at
certain moments in the play
Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement. (EHL)

10. Hamlet says: “The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right”.
Explain in what way the “time is out of joint” in Denmark, and why, in your opinion, Hamlet delayed in
setting things right. (EHL)

11. By the end of the First Act in Hamlet, Shakespeare has already given the audience an idea of the natures
and value systems of the main characters in his play.
Using at least three characters (other than Prince Hamlet) as examples, discuss how he has done this.

12. Hamlet: I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.
[Act II Scene 2]
Throughout Act I and II, Hamlet acts mad at certain intervals and yet calm and collected at others.
Analyse whether Hamlet really is descending into madness or whether he merely acts insane in order to suit
his needs. (EHL)

13. In Act 1 Scene IV Marcellus remarks towards Horatio, ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.’
Critically discuss the theme of decay and corruption as it is introduced in Act One of Hamlet.

14. The problem of making moral choices is a significant issue in the play. Critically assess the validity of
this statement. (PP)
15. ‘A tragic hero is a character who comes to misfortune through a fatal character flaw.’
Discuss to what extent the quotation is true about Hamlet. (PP)

16. At Elsinore, things are not what they seem. Discuss the theme of appearance and reality in Hamlet,
paying particular attention to those characters who pretend to be who they are not.
Hamlet is known for his hesitation before avenging his father. This is directly contrasted with
Laertes’ impatience to take revenge. Compare the hesitation of Hamlet with the impatience
of Laertes, and then explain which approach you think is best.
PLANNING
INTRODUCTION: In the drama Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet is known for his
hesitation before avenging his father. This essay will compare the hesitation of Hamlet with the
impatience of Laertes and explain which approach is best.
Hamlet Laertes
• Angry about father’s murder, but wishes he • Rushes home from France to avenge his
was not responsible for revenge (“The time father.
is out of joint, O cursed spite/That ever I was • He is a man of action, does not stop to
born to set it right”) consider the consequences.
• He is a thinker, considers moral questions.
• Plots to find out whether Ghosts’ accusations • Marches on Claudius with his supporters.
are true, using ‘madness’ and the play. • Does not even know who murderer is.
• Wants all the information before acting – • When Claudius says that it was Hamlet who
RIGHT to hesitation before killing someone. killed Polonius, he accepts this blindly and
immediately plots against Hamlet.
• Rushes into action without caring about
whether or not it is right.
• Hesitates to kill Claudius at prayer because • Says he will spill Hamlet’s blood even if he
God may have forgiven him his sins. has to kill him in a church.
• Very aware of larger spiritual implications of • No sensitivity to larger issues.
his actions and those of the king.
• Constant thinking about death and • Does not want to wait for anything.
questioning the truth about man and the soul • Will only listen to Claudius if Claudius does
keeps him from acting. not tell him to wait.
CONCLUSION: Laertes’ passion and anger are attractive and make him seem brave because
vengeance calls for swift action. He is easily manipulated because of his impatience, and in the
end he regrets killing Hamlet. By contrast, Hamlet’s hesitation shows depth of understanding and
sensitivity that is not matched by any other character in the play. He is not a coward, but hesitates
because he understands that what he is thinking about doing is immense. Finally, he does kill
Claudius, but his hesitation leads to the deaths of Polonius, Ophelia, Laertes and Gertrude, as
well as to his own death.
Throughout Hamlet, Hamlet himself is obsessed with thoughts of death, an important theme
in the play. Discuss how he feels about death. Then consider the deaths of two characters,
and discuss whether or not these deaths, support his ideas.

PLANNING

INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet himself is obsessed

with thoughts of death, an important theme in the play. This essay will discuss how he feels about
death, taking into consideration the deaths of two other characters. It will further evaluate whether
these deaths support his ideas.
HAMLET’S FEELINGS
Ambiguous: questions value of life and craves death, but fears it too.
Questions value Because he cannot come to terms with his father’s death and cannot
understand how easily his mother recovers.
Craves Thinks suicide is easier
Thinks death frees us from suffering
Thinks death makes everyone equal (tells Horatio that rich and poor
both end up being eaten by worms)
Fears Fears hell, believes suicide = hell
OPHELIA
Death Drowning – accident or suicide?
Reactions Laertes, Hamlet, Gertrude mourn her
Priest refuses to give her full Christian burial.
Reveals Was mad and grieving – now freed from suffering OR suffering more in
hell.
CLAUDIUS
Death Murder – killed by poisoned sword he intended for Hamlet.
Reactions People are upset, cry “Treason!”
But they do not arrest Hamlet, so it seems they accept Laertes’
judgement:
“He is justly serv’d”
Fortinbras orders no special treatment for his body (unlike for Hamlet’s
body).
Reveals May suffer in hell because of murders.
CONCLUSION:
Hamlet craves death because he questions the value of life. There is little reaction to Claudius’
death. This could mean that Hamlet may be right to wonder if life is valuable, but the passionate
grief people feel for Ophelia shows that some lives do, indeed, have value. However, Hamlet is
right that death makes everyone equal. Claudius’ death feels like justice, while Ophelia’s death is
sad because she is innocent and does not deserve to die. Nevertheless, her youth and innocence,
and Claudius’ power and plotting, both end in death.
Many characters do not appear to be what they are in Hamlet. Discuss Hamlet’s obsession
with the theme of appearance and reality throughout the play. Comment on Hamlet and on at
least three other characters.

In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare Hamlet becomes obsessed with the idea that people
are not what they seem. He suspects that almost everyone at Elsinore has a hidden agenda, and
that an evil reality often hides beneath the appearance of good.

At the beginning of the play, Gertrude questions Hamlet’s grief over his father’s death. She askes
why he “seems” to grieve so much, and he becomes angry because his feelings are genuine; he
says “I know not ‘seems’”, suggesting that he cannot pretend. Gertrude, however; does not seem to
share his grief and this makes Hamlet question her love for his father. He calls her tears for Old
Hamlet “unrighteous”, suggesting that perhaps she only “seems” to have loved him. She certainly
marries very quickly after his death.

The Ghost may also be different to what it seems. It looks like Hamlet’s father, but Hamlet is ware
of accepting the appearance as the reality. He thinks the Ghost may have been sent by the devil, to
get him to do evil things like murdering Claudius, and he asks whether the Ghost brings “airs from
heaven or blasts from hell”. Hamlet needs to discover the truth about what the Ghost tells him before
he acts on it. He wants to be certain that he responds to reality, not to a false appearance.

Claudius appears to the Danish court to be a loyal brother and a good king, but he has murdered
his brother and married his brother’s wife, and stole the throne. He pretends to care for Hamlet,
calling him his “son” and claiming that he sends him to England for his own safety, but he arranges
for Hamlet to be murdered, first in England and then by Laertes.

Hamlet is overcome by these layers of truth and lies all around him. Ironically, he decides that the
only way to see what is appearance and what is reality is to put on a false appearance and hide
reality himself. First he appears to be mad so that he can gather information, and then he uses the
Players to act out the murder of his father so that he can “catch the conscious of the king”. His
pretend madness reveals Polonius’ spying on his conversation with Gertrude, and the falseness of
his two friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The false reality of the play within Hamlet gets
Claudius to reveal his very real feelings of guilt.

Therefore, Hamlet’s plans to use false appearance to uncover reality are successful. Also, his
obsession with appearance and reality can be understood when one starts to realise how few
characters, including himself, are what they seem.
Comment on Hamlet’s relationship with Laertes, Ophelia, Horatio and Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern, showing what each relationship reveals about Hamlet.
PLANNING
INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare Hamlet’s philosophical nature
and moral soul-searching are revealed in his soliloquies, many of the subtler aspects of his
character are revealed by his relationships with other characters.
RELATIONSHIP WITH WHAT IT REVEALS ABOUT HAMLET
Ophelia Contradictions:
• Horror at immorality of women, and cruelty: “I loved you
not.”
• Love: grief after her death, “I lov’d Ophelia. Forty thousand
brothers/Could not with all their quantity of love/Make up my
sum.”
Laertes • Emphatic: “by the image of my cause I see/The portraiture
of his.”
• Able to admit that he has done wrong and to aske for
forgiveness (before the duel)
• Forgiving (as he is dying.
Horatio • Hamlet tells him the truth: he is not mad, but deeply
troubled.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern • Witty: “Man delights not me – nor woman neither, though by
your smiling you seem to say so”
• Good judge of character: doesn’t trust them
• Self-serving enough to be able to justify murder: “They are
not near my conscience, their defeat/Does by their own
insinuation grow”
CONCLUSION: The complexities and subtleties of Hamlet’s character are revealed through his
relationships.
Each of the parents in Hamlet takes a different approach to being a parent. Compare and
contrast Gertrude, Old Hamlet and Polonius as parents.
PLANNING
INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare Gertrude, Old Hamlet and
Polonius each have very different approaches to being a parent. This essay will compare and
contrast each of the parenting styles and how they are received by the children.
Gertrude Old Hamlet Polonius
Positive
Loving and loyal Concerned
• Speaks lovingly to Hamlet – Gives children lots of advice
“Good Hamlet”
• Seems sympathetic to his
distress – “look where sadly
the poor wretch comes”
• Begs him to stay at Elsinore
• Keeps his secrets once she
realises what she has done
marrying Claudius.
• Last action is to warn him of
poisoned wine.
Negative
Insensitive Controlling and uses Hamlet Controlling, and betrays
• Expects him to get over his • Demands that Hamlet children
father’s death quickly – avenge him • Speaks a lot about
“Though know’st ‘tis Ophelia’s obedience to him.
common: all that lives must • Spreads likes about Laertes
die” • Uses Ophelia in his political
• Does not see how her hasty games when he arranges
incestuous marriage upsets for her to see Hamlet so that
him. he can spy on them.
Children’s perspective
Corrupt Wonderful Loving
• “O shame, where is thy • Hamlet compares him to • Ophelia mad with grief when
blush?” gods he dies.
• Hamlet seems to make • Hamlet very depressed • Laertes passionately
peace with her, but never about his death. vengeful when he dies
shows her affection.
CONCLUSION: Polonius and Old Hamlet are controlling parents who use their children for their
own ends, but their children are devastated when they die. It is Gertrude, the most loving and loyal
parent in the play, who has the worst relationship with her child. Ironically, the characters who are
the worst parents seem to be the most loved by their children.
“In the first Act Marcellus says, ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.’ This rot is
evident at political as well as personal level.” To what extent do you agree with this
statement? In your answer, comment on the political questions of who rules Denmark, and
the relationships between Denmark and other countries, and on the personal questions of
the relationships between Claudius and Gertrude, and Hamlet and Ophelia.

EXAMPLE ESSAY

In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare what is rotten in Denmark is the treacherous kind,
and the rot spreads from him. This is shown politically by the uneasy, warlike atmosphere, and
personally by the destruction of relationships.

The uneasy atmosphere is initially established by the watchmen, concerned about the Ghost but
also alert for an attack by Fortinbras. The uneasy political situation with Norway reinforced by the
fact that the king has been murdered by his brother. This murderer is no king, causing an
unnatural break in the line of kings appointed by God, and breaking the Chain of Being which is
the link between God and the people of Denmark.

One a personal level, Claudius’ “incestuous marriage”, horrifies Hamlet. Hamlet feels that
Claudius is a “satyr” compared to his dead father and is shocked that his mother could marry
“within a month” of his father’s death. The marriage is “rotten”, and when Hamlet confronts
Gertrude about it, she realises that she is guilty and says, “O Hamlet, though hast cleft my heart
in twain.”

Hamlet himself, however, is responsible for the rot in his relationship with Ophelia. Because of
Gertrude’s marriage, Hamlet has judged the entire female sex and says, “Frailty, thy name is
woman.” He treats Ophelia as though she were corrupt and unfaithful and implies that she is a
prostitute when he tells her to get to a “nunnery”. Ophelia, whose only disloyalty has been to
agree to speak to Hamlet while her father and Claudius listen, is devastated by Hamlet’s harsh
words and his apparent madness. His actions destroy their relationship and contribute to the
destruction of Ophelia herself. With her grief for her father, the rot of Hamlet’s cruelty grows in
her until she loses her mind and finally drowns.

The source of rot in Hamlet is Claudius, but his corruption spreads to affect both the politics of
Denmark and the personal lives of those around him, particularly Hamlet.
Show how the theme of evil and corruption is developed by Shakespeare’s use of imagery
throughout the play.
PLANNING

INTRODUCTION: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. This essay will discuss how the
theme of evil and corruption is developed in the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare using
imagery.
• Explain why Marcellus makes the above-mentioned comment.
Trace the major developments and who Shakespeare underlines this particular theme.
• The source of rottenness and corruption in Denmark is that its present ruler has gained the
throne by foul means:
Claudius has married the widow of his brother and now lives with her, according to Hamlet, in the
“rank sweat of an enseamed bed”.
• The imagery used throughout the play is dark and even graphic.
EXAMPLE: Hamlet’s harsh language when he is talking to Ophelia and his mother.
• Quotes that depict the theme of corruption:
• “I am sick at heart”
• “The world…’tis an unweeded garden”
• “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
• “O! my offence is rank and smells to heaven”

CONCLUSION: Thus, the theme of evil and corruption is developed through the use of imagery
throughout the play. The most prominent is the use of nature and garden imagery.
Would you agree that Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern get their just desserts in the
play, or do you feel sorry for them? Justify your answer by tracing their various roles in the
play, and commenting upon them.
PLANNING
INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare it can be argued that Polonius,
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern got what they deserved in the play. This essay will discuss this
statement with reference to their roles in the play.
Polonius Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
• Polonius is mostly presented as a meddling • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are never
old fool, who talks too much. This evokes a seen separately, and they are almost
negative feeling in the audience towards considered to be one character. They are
Polonius. indistinguishable from one another.
• Ophelia is driven mad by Hamlet’s rejection • It is said that they are good friends of
and her father’s death. This makes us Hamlet’s. However, they also accept
believe that she was fond of her father. payment for spying on him, and ultimately
Likewise, Laertes is also fond of his father. escort him to London where it is intended
This might change how the audience feels that he be killed
about the character. • They are presented as somewhat ‘below’
• Polonius is killed while in the act of spying on Hamlet and he often outsmarts them. They
Hamlet. Throughout the play, he is present are not as ambitious as he is, and it is
as a character that is deceitful and two- unlikely that they will amount to much.
faced. This influences the audience to feel
that his death is justified.
• Hamlet’s indifferent attitude to killing
Polonius indicates that he does not seem
overly concerned about killing Polonius
(aside from being disappointed that it wasn’t
Claudius behind the arras). He drags his
body off the stage in an undignified way, and
stashes it under the stairs (as opposed to a
dignified funeral).

CONCLUSION:
To conclude, all humans are created with both good and bad traits. While the audience might feel
a certain extent of pity for the characters of Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern they are
depicted in a negative way. This causes the audience to feel that they got what they deserved.
Throughout the play, Hamlet claims to be feigning madness, but his portrayal of a madman is
so intense and so convincing that many readers believe that Hamlet actually slips into insanity
at certain moments in the play. Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with this
statement.
PLANNING
INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare Hamlet claims to be feigning
madness, but his portrayal of a madman is so intense and convincing that many readers believe
Hamlet actually does slip into insanity. This essay will critically discuss the statement with reference
to the play.
• At any given moment during the play, the most accurate assessment of Hamlet’s state of mind
probably lies somewhere between sanity and insanity.
• Hamlet certainly displays a high degree of mania and instability throughout much of the play, but
his “madness” is perhaps too purposeful and pointed for us to conclude that he actually loses his
mind.
• His language is erratic and wild, but beneath his mad-sounding words often lie acute observations
that show the sane mind working bitterly beneath the surface.
• Most likely, Hamlet’s decision to feign madness is a sane one, taken to confuse his enemies and
hide his intentions.
• On the other hand, Hamlet finds himself in a unique and traumatic situation, one which calls into
question the basic truths and ideals of his life.
• He can no longer believe in religion, which has failed his father and doomed him to life amid
miserable experience.
• He can no longer trust society, which is full of hypocrisy and violence, nor love, which has been
poisoned by his mother’s betrayal of his father’s memory.
• And, finally, he cannot turn to philosophy, which cannot explain ghosts or answer his moral
questions and lead him to action.
• With this much discord in his mind, and already under the extraordinary pressure of grief from his
father’s death, his mother’s marriage, and the responsibility bequeathed to him by the ghost,
Hamlet is understandably distraught.
• He may not be mad, but he likely is close to the edge of sanity during many of the most intense
moments in the play, such as during the performance of the play-within-a play, his confrontation
with Ophelia, and his long confrontation with his mother.
• Faced with evidence that his uncle murdered his father, evidence that any other character in a
play would believe, Hamlet becomes obsessed with proving his uncle’s guilt before trying to act.
The standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt” is simply unacceptable to him.
• He is equally plagued with questions about the afterlife, about the wisdom of suicide, about what
happens to bodies after they die – the list is extensive.
• But even though he is thoughtful to the point of obsession, Hamlet also behaves rashly and
impulsively.
• When he does act, it is with surprising swiftness and little or no premeditation, as when he stabs
Polonius through a curtain without even checking to see who he is.
• He seems to step very easily into the role of a madman, behaving erratically and upsetting the
other characters with his wild speech and pointed innuendos.

CONCLUSION: Hamlet is contemplative to the point of obsession. Hamlet’s decision to feign

madness, ostensibly in order to keep the other characters from guessing the motive for his behaviour,
will lead him at times perilously close to actual madness. In fact, it is impossible to say for certain
whether or not Hamlet actually does go mad, and, if so, when his act becomes reality. Hamlet, though
thoughtful by nature, also has an excitable streak, which makes him erratic, nervous, and
unpredictable.
Hamlet says: “The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right”.
Explain in what way the “time is out of joint” in Denmark, and why, in your opinion, Hamlet delayed
in setting things right.
PLANNING

INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare Hamlet says, “The time is out of
joint. O cursed spite,/That ever I was born to set it right.” This essay will explain in what way the
“time out of join” in Denmark and why Hamlet delayed in taking action to set things right.
“In what way is “time…out of joint” in Denmark
• Hamlet’s father (King of Denmark) has died.
• Denmark is in a state of readiness for war because Fortinbras (nephew of the King of
Norway) is planning to attack Denmark.
• Hamlet’s mother has married Hamlet’s uncle (the dead king’s brother) only two months after
her husband’s death – considered incest at that time.
• Things are not as they seem: friends are turning on friends, people are suspicious of others,
people are arranging spies to catch one another out, lovers are betraying one another –
Hamlet even has to pretend to be mad so that the King does not guess his real state of mind.
• Nature seems to reflect that things are not right: there is lots of imagery of flowers turning to
weeds, etc.
Why Hamlet delayed in setting things right
• This question asks for your opinion. Remember that you will still have to substantiate your
reasons with examples from the play.
• Consider the theme of appearance vs. reality: does Hamlet believe the Ghost from the
beginning, or does he perhaps require some proof of the murder?
• Consider Hamlet’s personality. He is presented as a young man who is a deep thinker (as
evidenced by his soliloquies – particularly the one in the graveyard with Yorick’s skull)
• Consider the theme of good vs. evil: perhaps he is not keen to commit murder because he
does not want the guilt associated with such a crime? Does this change when he kills
Polonius?
CONCLUSION:
By the end of the First Act in Hamlet, Shakespeare has already given the audience an idea
of the natures and value systems of the main characters in his play.
In an essay of 400 – 450 words, using at least three characters (other than Prince Hamlet)
as examples, discuss how he has done this.

PLANNING
INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare the first act serves as the
exposition, providing the reader with information about certain characters and the natures and
value systems of the main characters in the play. This essay will discuss three of these
characters (other than Prince Hamlet) and elaborate about their values and natures.
CHARACTER CHARTERISTIC HOW SHAKESPEARE HAS DONE THIS
POLONIUS Pompous His verbosity and affected puns
Moraliser The lectures he gives to Laertes and Ophelia
His position in relation to Claudius. Agrees to the
Politician marriage.
The way he lectures Laertes to remain “lukewarm in all
situations”, “play it safe.”
His agreement to the marriage

Morally suspect He rules Ophelia. Heads the family.

Patriarch
LAERTES Implied love of fun Describes his place of study in France
Ophelia hints that he should not be a
hypocrite…implies he is.
Moraliser His lecture to Ophelia which also mirrors his father’s
lecture.
OPHELIA Innocent, naïve Sees Hamlet’s intentions as pure.
Courageous Standing up to her brother. Warning him to listen to his
own words.
CLAUDIUS Wily, clever Able to persuade people to agree to the marriage. He
is also described as a serpent.
The ghost says he seduced Gertrude.
Seducer The ghost says he killed King Hamlet.
Immoral/ murderer His love of drinking and dancing. Love of sex
Decadent/ licentious (Gertrude)
Greedy Wants what does not belong to him
Politician Smooth talker, uses language well.
Controller/ Wants to keep Hamlet close so he can control him.
manipulator
GERTRUDE Weak willed Governed by her desires. (Claudius’ seduction)
Prepared to commit incest.
Immoral Falls under Claudius’ sway and allows him to persuade
Manipulated her to try to convince Hamlet to stay.
HORATIO Good friend Hamlet welcomes him freely. He is honest with Hamlet.
Student at Wittenburg (protestant values)
Serious minded There are more things in heaven and earth Horatio that
are dreamt of in your philosophy. Implies he is a
philosopher.

CONCLUSION:
Hamlet: I am but mad north-north-west; when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a
handsaw. [Act II Scene 2]
Throughout Act I and II, Hamlet acts mad at certain intervals and yet calm and collected at
others.
Analyse whether Hamlet really is descending into madness or whether he merely acts insane
in order to suit his needs.
PLANNING

INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare Hamlet acts mad at certain
intervals and yet rational and calm at others. This essay will analyse Hamlet’s descent into
madness. OR This essay will analyse Hamlet’s feigning of madness to suit his own needs.
• Hamlet acts irrationally in Act 1 Scene 2 when he speaks an irate speech in which he admits
that he would have committed suicide were it not for the fact that it was against the laws of
God. Suicidal thoughts are generally not a sign of a stable and sound mind. Within his speech,
Hamlet condemns his mother for having moved on and married Claudius so quickly after his
father’s death.
• Towards the end of Act 1 Scene 5, after having met the Ghost of his father, and having learned
of Claudius’ deceit, Hamlet makes Horatio and Marcellus swear to never mention what they
had witnessed that night. Hamlet explicitly tells them that they must remain silent about the
goings on that night no matter how “odd or strange” he acts. This on the contrary shows that
Hamlet had planned to act strangely / crazily. Planning this does not display an unwell / crazy
frame of mind.
• Hamlet acts completely out of character and outlandish when he meets Ophelia after she had
(upon command from her father) withdrawn from Hamlet and his advances toward her. He
appeared dishevelled, shit open, staring at her for long stretches of time.
• When Hamlet speaks to Polonius (after he has arranged with Claudius and Gertrude to speak
to Hamlet about his love sickness) Hamlet once again SEEMS to speak of quite ridiculous
things.
• He, as example, refers to Polonius as a fish seller.
• However, Hamlet refers constantly to honesty when speaking to Polonius. Thus is seems that
he is baiting Polonius to uncover what he might know of Claudius’ betrayal, rather that truly
having lost his mind.
• Polonius himself remarks that Hamlet seemingly speaks of crazy things but that there is reason
and logic to be uncovered in his words.

CONCLUSION:
In Act 1 Scene IV Marcellus remarks towards Horatio, ‘Something is rotten in the state of
Denmark.’ Critically discuss the theme of decay and corruption as it is introduced in Act
One of Hamlet.

INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare corruption and decay is one of
the prominent themes encountered in the play. This essay will discuss the theme with reference
to the play.

• The phrase refers to different things in the play such as the corrupt ruling class in the state of
Denmark, or the destruction of something unknown.
• Another idea is the rottenness of Claudius and Gertrude’s marriage — or the idea of incest.
Many consider this marriage incestuous, whereas King Claudius feels it necessary to justify
that it is in the best interests of his country, and that his courtiers have approved it.
• However, his marriage is suspiciously corrupt, as it takes place only two months after King’s
death, and also that it is not allowed in religion.
• These circumstances cause Prince Hamlet to be enormously upset at Queen’s apparent lack
of mourning, supporting the idea of corrupt and foul play after King Hamlet’s death.
• In Hamlet, this phrase is of immense significance. It is because it is spoken by a run of the
mill, who has nothing to do with the upper echelons of the society.
• Still, he knows that if the elite or corruption, a state ceases to exist. The condition prevailing
in Denmark are highly intriguing and confusing. In the midst of this confusion, Marcellus’s
popular non sequitur carries on threatening mood of mystery and disjointed action.
• It also reinforces tone and point of some earlier remarks of Hamlet in Act-I, Scene-II, “Tis an
unweeded garden.” When the ghost of his father tells him a chilling story in Scene-V, Hamlet
realizes how really things are going to dogs in the Denmark.
• The rottenness in Denmark is also seen in the ghost of King Hamlet. Just the sign of a walking
ghost is a bad omen in itself, a sign that something rotten will or has taken place.
• The ghost has come to inform Hamlet that King Hamlet was murdered by
• Claudius, who deprived him of a last opportunity to confess his sins.
• King Hamlet tells the prince because of this he is doomed to spend his days within the
purgatorial fires of his prison and roam at nights. The ghost then calls upon Hamlet to avenge
the murder.
• Hamlet swears that he will, which will eventually lead to his total decay.

CONCLUSION:
The problem of making moral choices is a significant issue in the play. Critically assess the
validity of this statement.

INTRODUCTION: In the drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare characters find themselves in

situations where they allow themselves to compromise their morality when it comes to the choices
they make. This essay will discuss the problem of making moral choices in the play.

Claudius Chooses to disregard morality when he kills his brother and pursues a reckless
course of self-protection, including collusion with Polonius, plotting Hamlet's
death and conspiring with Laertes. His usurpation of the throne defies the
divine right of kings.
Claudius and Gertrude's decision to marry immediately after the death of King
Hamlet suggests single-mindedness in pursuing their own interests.
Gertrude Gertrude's resolve to gloss over Hamlet's role in the killing of Polonius is an
attempt to protect her son. She also wants to make him appear remorseful and
therefore less guilty.
Laertes Laertes compromises his morality when he conspires with Claudius to kill
Hamlet.
Laertes and Fortinbras resolve to avenge their fathers' deaths, instead of
allowing justice to take its course.
Polonius Polonius's decision to forbid a relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet, and
his use of Ophelia to spy on Hamlet, contribute to the ensuing tragedy.
Hamlet Hamlet's plan to feign madness is a ploy to confuse his enemies and to give
him time to investigate Claudius's guilt. Hamlet, as a highly moral person, does
not act as hastily as Laertes does to take revenge. He sets up the play within
the play in order to determine Claudius's guilt or innocence. When he has the
evidence that Claudius is indeed guilty, he is galvanised into action. He
upbraids his mother, kills Polonius but does not yet have the opportunity to
attack Claudius since he is immediately sent to England.
Hamlet might be regarded as lacking courage and moral resolution. His
treatment of Ophelia might be seen as cruel and unwarranted. He has an
opportunity to kill Claudius but does not, convincing himself that had he killed
him then, Claudius would have gone to Heaven – a thought he finds morally
reprehensible
CONCLUSION:
‘A tragic hero is a character who comes to misfortune through a fatal character flaw.’
Discuss to what extent the quotation is true about Hamlet.

• It is true, to an extent. Hamlet has to cope with an inordinately difficult situation which is not of
his making.
• He loses his father at a young age, and then has to contend with the fact that his mother is
behaving inappropriately by marrying his uncle so soon that ‘The funeral baked meats / Did
coldly furnish forth the marriage tables’.
• He meets with his father’s ghost and suspects ‘some foul play’. His father requests that he
avenges his murder, but it becomes such a burden that he cannot cope.
• He puts on ‘an antic disposition’ and isolates himself from those closest to him. On the
surface it might appear to be a ‘character flaw’, but Hamlet is clever enough to use his
‘disposition’ to ascertain what exactly is going on in the palace.
• He proves that Claudius is guilty during the play. He confronts his mother about her infidelity,
but she refuses to cut ties with Claudius; she chooses her lover over her son.
• While all this is going on, Hamlet cannot do what his father asked him to do. He is torn
between his filial duty to avenge his father’s murder, and the belief that revenge is sinful. He
cannot reconcile these opposites, and is tormented by his indecision.
• He finds his mother and Claudius repulsive; he feels the same about Ophelia, who really is
innocent. But Hamlet is in the grip of a situation that offers no solution. He feels powerless,
and wishes to ‘shuffle off this mortal coil’.
• He cannot afford to share any of his doubts and suspicions with anybody, because he does
not know whom to trust in the ‘rotten state of Denmark’.
• He has an epiphany when he is sent to England by Claudius. He realises that his fate is in his
own hands and that he has to act. His resolve shows a maturity and a sense of purpose.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRAGIC HERO HAMLET AS TRAGIC HERO

• A tragic hero is of noble birth/royalty, AND/OR ✓ Son of King Hamlet.
has a disposition to be a good person. ✓ Prince of Denmark.
✓ Hamlet’s tragic flaw is utter indecisiveness
• A tragic hero has a flaw. that prevents him from killing Claudius to
achieve his revenge at the beginning of the
play.
✓ Incapable of making up his mind, Hamlet is
• A tragic hero suffers a reversal of fortune from trapped in endless internal debate. He had
having everything at one point in the play and many chances to kill his uncle, but cannot
then losing all of it. muster the courage to act. Hamlet loses the
love of his life, his mind and also his life.
✓ Hamlet couldn’t cry or exhibit emotion.
✓ Feels like he can’t do the honorable thing.
• A tragic hero recognizes the consequences of his
✓ As Hamlet’s mental state deteriorates, he
actions.
kills Polonius in spontaneous burst and
drives his beloved Ophelia to insanity.
✓ Ultimately Hamlet does avenge his father’s
ghost, but not before he brought about his
own death and inflicted extraordinary pain
on others through his perpetual delay in
• The audience watches the actions of the tragic
action.
hero and is moved to pity and/fear.
✓ The bloodbath at the end of the play
highlights our most primal fear = death.
At Elsinore, things are not what they seem. In a well-constructed essay of 400 to 450
words, discuss the theme of appearance and reality in Hamlet, paying particular attention
to those characters who pretend to be who they are not.

PLANNING

INTRODUCTION: Hamlet is depressed largely because he believes he can see the REALITY of
evil behind the APPEARANCE of good at Elsinore. He alone at the court understands the
inherently evil nature of humankind.
APPEARANCE REALITY
Claudius
Loving uncle and husband; a great statesman; Ambitious; an unscrupulous murderer; driven
a good king by lust for power and for Gertrude. No qualms
about plotting the death of Hamlet.
Gertrude
Loving mother and faithful wife to Hamlet’s She remains a loving mother, although
father. strangely unable to see how her faithlessness
affects her son.
Ophelia
An innocent and loving young woman who only She betrays Hamlet by obeying her father’s
seeks the good in Hamlet. An obedient wish to spy on him.
daughter and loving sister.
Polonius
A jovial and friendly councilor who is genuinely In league with Claudius, spies on Hamlet.
concerned for Hamlet’s well-being. A genuine Spies on his son.
father.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Faithful friends, concerned for Hamlet’s health False friends, who allow themselves to be
and happiness. used by Claudius to spy on Hamlet.
Hamlet
Appears to be mad (acts mad) / consciously Needs to get revenge on behalf of the ghost /
puts on an ‘antic disposition’ Old Hamlet.
Is very aware of what he is doing.
Denmark
A strong and ordered kingdom. Stable. Just. Treason has occurred. The new king is evil.
Corruption is rife. “Something is rotten in the
state of Denmark.”