Comedy in Hamlet by Shakespeare Literature & Language Essay

For your final essay, please choose one (1) of the following topics. Essay Topics
1. Think about Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia. Does he love her? Does he stop loving her? Did he ever love her? What evidence can you find in the play to support your opinion?
2. Consider Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's role in the play. Why might Shakespeare have created characters like this? Are they there for comic relief or do they serve a more serious purpose? Is it acceptable for Hamlet to treat them as he does? Why or why not?
3. Analyze the use of descriptions and images in Hamlet. How does Shakespeare use descriptive language? How does he use imagery to create a mood of tension, suspense, fear, and despair?
4. Analyze the use of comedy in Hamlet, paying particular attention to the gravediggers, Osric, and Polonius. Does comedy serve merely to relieve the tension of the tragedy, or do the comic scenes serve a more serious thematic purpose as well?
5. Compare and contrast Shakespeare's Hamlet and a modern day film or play. Please let the instructor know of your choice before you start writing any part of the essay. How are they similar and different in terms of plot, characters, settings, and themes? How does the fact that they are presented through different mediums have an effect on the story?
Below is a review of the Literary Essay; make sure you understand these components. Do make contact with me, if you have any questions.
The Formal Literary Essay Structure
Parts of an Essay: A formal essay at this level is divided into five paragraphs. Each of the paragraphs follow a definitive order.Paragraph One - Introduction: Your introduction slowly bri

1. Introductory Statement - clearly state what you intend to argue...how are you going to prove your point.
2. Proof #1
1. State your IDEA - What is the first way in which you intend to approach this argument
2. QUOTE - From the novel, poem or story pull a direct quote from the text that you intend to use to prove your point...always pull enough material to be able to analyze it properly
3. ANALYZE - This is where you will explain to your reader why your quote proves your idea and then of course why it proves your thesis statement. Please use a minimum of three different analyses to prove your idea.
■ Analysis One
■ Analysis Two
3. Proof #2
1. State your IDEA - What is the first way in which you intend to approach this argument
2. QUOTE - From the novel, poem or story pull a direct quote from the text that you intend to use to prove vour ooint...alwavs oull enoueh material to be ableT^

3. Proof #21. State your IDEA - Ehat is the first way in which you intend to approach this argument
2. QUOTE - From the novel, poem or story pull a direct quote from the text that you intend to use to prove your point...always pull enough material to be able to analyze it properly
3. ANALYZE - This is where you will explain to your reader why your quote proves your idea and then of course why it proves your thesis statement. Please use a minimum of two different analyses to prove your idea.
■ Analysis One
■ Analysis Two
4. Summary Statement with Link - this refers to one sentence that summarizes your first argument and brings the reader towards the second argument.
Paragraph Four - Argument #3: This is your third argument. It is also your second strongest argument. Please set up the paragraph in the following manner:
1. Introductory Statement - clearly state what you intend to argue...how are you going to prove your point.

The Formal Literary Essay Structure
Parts of an Essay: A formal essay at this level is divided into five paragraphs. Each of the paragraphs follow a definitive order.
Paragraph One - Introduction: Your introduction slowly brings the reader into the essay. Start with a broad topic and then move towards the specific. The last sentence that a reader will see in the introduction is called the THESIS STATEMENT.
Thesis Statement - This is the sentence that your entire essay is based. If it is clear and organized, your essay will be clear and organized.
Your thesis statement includes two parts:
1. It will clearly state which side of the argument you are discussing. You must pick a side and this will clearly state to the reader what side you are on...
2. It will clearly state the three ways in which you intend to prove that your argument is the only correct argument.
Paragraph Two - Argument #1: This is your first argument. It is also your strongest argument. Please set up the paragraph in the following manner:
1. Introductory Statement - Clearly state what you intend to argue...how are you going to prove your point.
2. Proof #1
1. State your IDEA - What is the first way in which you intend to approach this argument