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Hamlet q3 Prompt Practice

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15 views2 pages

Hamlet q3 Prompt Practice

Uploaded by

mandisha.de26
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Hamlet Q3 Prompt Practice

PROMPTS:

1982: In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose [Hamlet
and show how it] confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In
a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning
of the [play].

1988: [In Hamlet] some of the most significant events are mental or psychological; for
example, awakenings, discoveries, changes in consciousness. In a well-organized essay,
describe how the author manages to give these internal events the sense of
excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with external action.

1994: In [Hamlet] a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a
significant presence. Write an essay in which you show how such a character functions
in the work. You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or the
development of other characters. (select: King Hamlet’s ghost or Fortinbras)
1996: The British novelist Fay Weldon offers this observation about happy endings:
“The writers, I do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from the readers
are the writers [like Shakespeare] who offer a happy enduing through moral
development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events—a marriage or
a last minute rescue from death—but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral
reconciliation, even with the self, even at death.” [Hamlet] has the kind of ending
Weldon describes. In a well-written essay, identify the “spiritual reassessment or moral
reconciliation” evident in the ending and explain its significance in the work as a whole.

2001: One definition of madness is “mental delusion of the eccentric behavior arising
from it.” But Emily Dickinson wrote:

Much madness is divinest Sense—

To a discerning Eye—

Novelists and playwrights have often seen madness with a “discerning Eye.” [In Hamlet
show how] a character’s apparent madness or irrational behavior plays an
important role. Then write well-organized essays in which you explain what this delusion
or eccentric behavior consist of and how it might be judged reasonable. Explain the
significance of the “madness” to the work as a whole.

DIRECTIONS: Create a chart to address the AP prompts listed above. Be sure to


complete the the following: 1) prompt year, restate prompt question, and thematic idea
that best answers the prompt; 2) thesis statement that is clear, thorough, and addresses
the entire prompt; 3) a concise but clear and specific essay outline that states what you
will address in each body paragraph, provides specific textual evidence to support your
thesis.

CHART FORMAT:

About the prompt: THESIS: Clear and specific essay outline:


 Year of prompt Clear, thorough,  What will you address in each
 In your own words, and addresses the body paragraph?
what is the prompt entire prompt  Make sure to provide specific
asking you to do textual evidence
 What THEMATIC IDEA  Be sure that it clearly
will you address in you supports your thesis
response?

As reference, here is a list of the thematic topics and questions you were asked to
consider while reading (these can also be found in your packet):

1. Revenge vs. Justice


i. What is the difference between revenge and justice? Is one more
moral than the other?
ii. Does the act of revenge irrevocably change an individual?
2. Action vs. Inaction
i. Is action always virtuous?
ii. Is is possible to take action in a world where nothing is ever certain
(i.e. morally black and white)
3. Fate vs. Autonomy
i. Do we have control over the shape of our own lives?
ii. Are our roles in life always preordained?
4. Appearance vs. Reality
i. Is deceit a fundamental part of the way society functions?
ii. Is life a series of “parts” that we “act” in order to get by?
iii. Is there a “truth” under all the appearances in our lives?
5. Madness
i. Is insanity just a sane way of reacting to the madness of the world
around us?
6. Loyalty and Betrayal
ii. What constitutes loyalty?
iii. To whom do we owe loyalty? Family? Lovers? State? Ourselves?
iv. What happens when loyalties conflict?
7. Old Worlds vs. New Worlds
v. How does one function when caught between two world views?
vi. What are the emotional/psychological/physical costs of this struggle?

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