titles for essays on hamlet

140 Hamlet Essay Topics

One of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays is Hamlet. Set in Denmark, it tells the story of Hamlet, a young prince who becomes aware of his father’s death and seeks revenge against his mother Gertrude by killing her new husband, Claudius.

The play is a thrilling roller coaster ride of emotions, with themes such as lust, love, betrayal, and revenge present throughout the story.

Hamlet Essay Writing

Usually first studied in high school literature classes, Hamlet’s many themes have been the subject of many essay writing assignments. Whether it’s an argumentative, persuasive, or analytical essay, the trick to writing about Hamlet lies in the following steps.

Understand the Reading

The key to writing about Hamlet is understanding it. Shakespeare wrote in a much different way from modern literature, so it takes time for many to understand the writing or where the author is going.

To better understand the play, it may be necessary to read it multiple times. It can help to mark specific sections with a color-coded or annotation system. If you color code the reading, use different colored highlighters designated to a particular theme, symbol, character, or event to mark several passages. If annotating, use a pencil or pen to underline, circle, or write notes in the margins of important passages.

By marking the reading as you go through it, you develop a better idea of how each symbol relates to the others and the overall story.

Choose a Topic

Once you have read through the play and made notes detailing the significant themes, symbols, and characters, it is time to choose a topic. There are many different ways to approach the essay, depending on what you feel will make for the best argument or story.

Pick a topic that interests you and can be backed by the number of examples you have highlighted or noted while reading the play. If you are having trouble choosing a topic for a Hamlet essay, consider using any of the 140 Hamlet essay topics at the bottom of this article.

Create a Strong Thesis Statement

Once you have chosen a topic, it is time to create your thesis statement. A thesis statement on Hamlet should include the topic your essay will focus on, as well as an argument that your textual evidence can support. For example:

“The role of women in Hamlet is significant to understanding the meaning behind revenge.”

“Hamlet’s lust for Gertrude affects his ability to carry out his plan for revenge.”

“It can be argued that Hamlet is trapped in a cycle of revenge and cannot escape until the ghost gives him permission to do so.”

These thesis statements clearly state what your essay will focus on and can be backed up with examples from the play.

Hamlet Essay Structure

Once you have the key steps above completed, it’s time to start drafting your Hamlet essay.

Introduction

Start with a compelling hook that draws the reader in. For example, compelling opening sentences for Hamlet essays could be something like:

“In a time when women were expected to be silent…”

“Hamlet’s lust for his mother…”

“In a world where revenge…”

After the hook, you’ll want to include pertinent background information to help the reader understand your essay. For example, if you are writing about the role of women in Hamlet, begin with a brief summary of King Hamlet’s death and how it affected his family before getting into specific examples from the play that show the role of women.

Finish your introduction with a strong thesis statement that lays out the essay’s overall argument.

The body paragraphs should go logically from the least crucial point to the most vital, usually with one to three examples per paragraph. Use quotations from the play where possible, and remember to include any subtleties that tie back into your thesis statement.

Pro Tip: When quoting lines from Hamlet, be sure to reference them in the correct format. Depending on the style, this may require using parenthetical notation to reference the act, line, and scene, written as (1.2.41)

Your conclusion should summarize what you have said during your essay and tie up any loose ends that were left.

For example, if your essay began with a summary of King Hamlet’s death and how it affected his family, be sure to end the essay by reiterating how that loss impacted Hamlet’s life.

This is also where you can bring up any implications or possible future developments based on what has happened in the play to tie it back into the overall argument.

Pro Tip: Remember that a well-written essay will include fewer examples and more textual evidence instead of a long list of facts without any supporting quotes from the play. Include as much detail as possible about each example or instance you bring up in your essay to strengthen your argument and show your reader how each point is relevant to the topic.

Choosing the right topic for your Hamlet essay can be challenging. Fortunately, this list of 140 Hamlet essay topics is perfect for students writing about the famous play.

Hamlet Essay Topics About Tragedy

Discuss the tragedy of Hamlet and how it affects his life
Analyze how tragedy is represented through literary devices throughout Hamlet
Compare and contrast Hamlet’s various tragedies in terms of literary devices
Discuss how Hamlet’s tragedies are reflected through the characters in the play
Analyze the effect of death on both Hamlet and his family/friends
Compare/contrast Queen Gertrude’s tragedies to Lady Macbeth’s
Analyze how death functions as a literary device throughout Hamlet
Discuss whether or not Hamlet is truly a tragic hero
Compare and contrast the portrayal of tragedy in Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet
Discuss how Hamlet’s tragedies could have been avoided
Would it still be considered a tragedy if Hamlet happened in modern times?
Reflect on the theme of tragedy as it pertains to Hamlet
Which character in Hamlet experiences the worst tragedy, why?
How does the theme of tragedy compare with the other themes in Hamlet?
When does the tragedy of Hamlet become noticeable as the play progresses?
Why is Hamlet considered a tragedy?
Do you think that Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s best or worst tragedies?
How could the tragedy have been avoided in Hamlet?
Would better communication between the characters have prevented the tragedy in Hamlet?
Who is more of a tragic hero, Hamlet or Othello? Why?

Hamlet Essay Topics About Revenge

Discuss why Hamlet’s plan to seek revenge is an internal conflict
Analyze how Hamlet deals with his desire for revenge after learning of his father’s death
Compare and contrast Claudius’ and Macbeth’s quests for power that leads them to take a life
Analyze whether or not Hamlet’s motivations can be justified as revenge
Discuss the role of revenge and vengeance in Shakespeare tragedies (e.g., Othello, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet)
Analyze how revenge is portrayed in Hamlet
Compare and contrast taking revenge on Claudius to Ulysses’s quest for revenge in The Odyssey
Discuss the concept of suspicious minds throughout Hamlet
Identify examples of extreme suspicion in Hamlet
Discuss the literary devices used to express suspicion in Hamlet
Analyze the impact of suspicious minds on Hamlet and his family/friends
Analyze the role of urgency in Hamlet: Is it a necessary part of revenge?
Is revenge justified in Hamlet? Discuss your answer.
Hamlet is often considered an anti-hero. Why do you think that is?
How would the story have been different if Hamlet had taken revenge sooner?
What does Shakespeare achieve through his portrayal of revenge in Hamlet?
Which character in Hamlet gets the most out of their revenge?
Is revenge ever warranted in any situation? Discuss why or why not.
How would modern-day society view Hamlet’s revenge plot?
Compare and contrast the themes of revenge in Hamlet with a modern-day literary work

Hamlet Essay Topics About Women in Hamlet

Analyze how women are portrayed in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Compare and contrast Lady Macbeth and Gertrude in terms of their relationships with the men in their lives
Discuss the role of gender politics throughout Hamlet
Analyze how Gertrude is treated by her husband, son, and the other characters in the play
Analyze Gertrude’s role as Queen of Denmark
Analyze how Shakespeare uses women to convey the political atmosphere of Denmark during this period
What is the significance of the women in Hamlet?
How do male-female relationships function throughout Hamlet?
Compare and contrast the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello with that of Hamlet
If Hamlet was written today, how would the female characters be portrayed?
Was there any significance behind Claudius’ betrothal to Gertrude?
Discuss the importance of Ophelia’s death in Hamlet
How do women convey the theme of revenge throughout Hamlet?
Did Gertrude love Claudius, or was she forced into marriage with him?
Is any female character redeemed in Hamlet?
How does gender function as a theme in Hamlet?
Would a female director’s vision of the play be drastically different from a male director’s?
Discuss whether or not women stand up for themselves throughout Hamlet.
Analyze why Gertrude commits suicide at the end of Hamlet
How do women convey madness, desire, and revenge themes in Hamlet?
Do you think that Shakespeare was critical or supportive of women throughout his works?
Is Gertrude just as guilty for Hamlet’s death as Claudius is?
Analyze whether or not Shakespeare has a feminist or misogynistic view of women in Hamlet.

Hamlet Essay Topics About Grief

Analyze the role of grief in Hamlet
Discuss the various ways that characters deal with grief throughout Hamlet
Analyze Laertes’ main motivation for seeking revenge on Claudius
Compare and contrast how different characters are affected by grief in Hamlet
Analyze whether or not Laertes is a reliable source of information in the play
Analyze whether or not Hamlet is actually living up to his name throughout the play
What does Shakespeare mean when he says that “the readiness is all”?
How are the characters’ feelings about death conveyed in Hamlet?
How does grief influence the actions of various characters in Hamlet?
Which theme is more prevalent in Hamlet – grief or madness?
What is the significance of Ophelia’s death in Hamlet?
Would modern-day society view grief as a valid motivation for revenge?

Hamlet Essay Topics About Madness

Analyze the various ways that insanity is manifested in Hamlet
Discuss how Shakespeare uses madness to convey themes of grief and revenge in Hamlet
Compare and contrast Hamlet’s riddling with The Tempest’s concept of magic
What is the significance of the “ghost” scene in Act 1, Scene 4?
Is Hamlet genuinely insane?
Does Ophelia go mad, or does she purposefully act that way?
Does Claudius’ desire for power drive him into insanity?
Analyze whether or not all of the characters in Hamlet are truly insane.
How does insanity function as a theme throughout Shakespeare’s play?
What is the significance of Laertes’ recovery from his madness, and how does it affect the plotline?
Compare and contrast Gertrude’s sanity at the beginning of the play with her sanity at the end.
How does insanity manifest itself throughout Hamlet?
Which literary devices are the most essential for depicting the scope of madness experienced by characters in Hamlet?

Hamlet Essay Topics About Power & Corruption

Analyze the role of power dynamics within families in Hamlet
Discuss Claudius’ motivations for murdering his brother and marrying Gertrude
Analyze the significance of the name “Hamlet” throughout Shakespeare’s play.
Compare and contrast how different characters respond to their loss of power or status in the play.
Discuss the theme of corruption throughout the play.
Does power corrupt Claudius?
Are there any characters in the play that do not experience some form of loss of power, status, or nobility?
Compare and contrast Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with Laertes
How would the pursuit of power in Hamlet be viewed in modern times?
Is there a specific character that is corrupted or corrupting throughout Hamlet?
Discuss whether the theme of corruption exists more prominently in The Lord of the Flies or Hamlet.
What does Shakespeare mean when he says, “one may smile, and smile, and be a villain”?
Was one character’s quest for power the only thing going on in the play?
How do the themes of corruption and power in Hamlet mimic modern-day events?
What are the most significant changes throughout Hamlet in terms of power dynamics?
Which characters are corrupted by their pursuit of power, and which are not?
How does Shakespeare convey the theme of corruption through literary devices?
How does Shakespeare critique corruption and power in Hamlet?
Are there any characters that display no form of corruption after experiencing significant events in the play?

Hamlet Essay Topics About Jealousy

Analyze how the theme of jealousy plays out throughout Hamlet
Which characters in Hamlet express feelings of jealousy and why?
Compare and contrast Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia to that of Laertes’ relationship with Ophelia.
How does Shakespeare use jealousy as a literary device?
Do you think Gertrude is justified in her feelings towards Ophelia?
Does Laertes’ understanding of his sister’s relationship with Hamlet influence his decision to fight in the duel?
What motivations do Hamlet and Laertes have in fighting in a duel with one another?
Compare and contrast Claudius’ feelings of envy when he hears of Fortinbras’ men passing by with the jealousy Laertes experiences towards Hamlet.
Does the theme of jealousy exist throughout the play?
How does Shakespeare portray the characters that experience feelings of jealousy in Hamlet?
Which character’s jealousy is most detrimental to their relationships with others?
What impact do Gertrude’s feelings for Claudius have on the play?
How does Shakespeare subtly convey feelings of jealousy through his use of language and literary devices?

Hamlet Essay Topics About Friendship

How do Ophelia’s feelings of loss influence her decisions to act in certain ways throughout the play?
What is the significance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betraying Hamlet?
Analyze whether or not Gertrude’s friendship with Claudius contributes to her betrayal of Hamlet.
How do the relationships between characters in Hamlet evolve throughout the play?
How does Shakespeare portray friendships in Hamlet?
Which character displays the most loyalty to another, and why?
What is the significance of Ophelia’s relationship with her father, Polonius?
What do you think Shakespeare thought about friendship based on Hamlet?
What is the importance of Hamlet’s relationship with Horatio?
How does Shakespeare portray friendships in his use of language and literary devices?
How would you define friendship based on your analysis of Hamlet?
Is it possible for someone who betrays another person to be considered a friend?

Hamlet Essay Topics About Morality

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do not experience as much change as the primary characters of the play from good to evil.
In what ways has Claudius changed since he came to power?
How would someone who has killed a person be viewed in modern society?
Compare and contrast Laertes’ actions with those of Hamlet’s.
Does Shakespeare explore immorality or morality in Hamlet?
Do you think Claudius can be saved from damnation in the eyes of God?
What impact do recent events in the play have on Hamlet’s decision to avenge his father’s death?
How does Shakespeare portray morality in his use of language and literary devices?

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100+ Hamlet Essay Topics

Table of Contents

What is a Hamlet Essay?

A Hamlet essay is an analytical piece that delves into the themes, characters, plot, motifs, or historical context of William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, “Hamlet”. This play, often touted as one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written, is rife with profound topics and subtle nuances. When writing an essay on “Hamlet”, students explore these intricacies, shedding light on the play’s enduring relevance and its multifaceted layers.

Choosing the Right Topic for Your Hamlet Essay: A Quick Guide

In choosing a Hamlet essay topic, consider what aspect of the play intrigues you the most. Is it the psychological torment of Hamlet, the play’s exploration of existentialism, or perhaps its political undertones? Reflect on the themes that resonate with you. Review the play and take notes on pivotal scenes or dialogues. Your passion will come through in your writing, making your essay more engaging. Moreover, ensure your topic is not too broad; narrowing it down will allow for a deeper analysis.

Hamlet Essay Topics to Spark Your Imagination

Character analysis.

Hamlet : A Study in Paralysis and Procrastination
Ophelia’s Descent into Madness
The Dual Nature of King Claudius
Gertrude: Victim or Villain?
Horatio: Hamlet’s Constant in a Chaotic World

Thematic Concerns

The Play Within the Play: Exploring Metatheatre in Hamlet
Madness vs. Sanity: A Thin Line in Elsinore
Revenge and Its Consuming Nature
Death and Decay: Imagery and Symbolism
Betrayal and Loyalty: Conflicting Values

Symbolism and Motifs

The Significance of Yorick’s Skull
The Poisoned Sword and Cup: Instruments of Fate
The Role of the Ghost in Driving the Plot
Flowers in Ophelia’s Hands: More Than Just Bloom
The Omnipresent Notion of Eavesdropping

Historical and Contextual Analysis

Elizabethan Beliefs About Madness as Reflected in Hamlet
Hamlet and the Renaissance Man
The Influence of Greek Tragedy on “Hamlet”
Political Strife and Its Reflection in Elsinore
“Hamlet” in the Lens of Protestant Reformation

Comparative Studies

“Hamlet” and “Oedipus Rex”: Tragedies of Fate
The Role of Women in “Hamlet” vs. “Macbeth”
How Film Adaptations Have Interpreted Hamlet’s Soliloquies
Modern Interpretations of “Hamlet” in Popular Culture
“Hamlet” and “Lion King”: From Denmark to Pride Rock

Character Exploration

Hamlet : The Complexity of His Avenging Mission
Ophelia: Between Love and Loyalty
The True Intentions of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Laertes: The Counterpart to Hamlet’s Revenge Quest
Polonius: The Manipulative Councilor

Themes and Philosophical Inquiries

The Ubiquity of Death in “Hamlet”
Exploring Existentialism in Hamlet’s Soliloquies
The Consequences of Deception and Secrets
The Tragedy of Miscommunication in Elsinore
Corruption and Moral Degradation in the Danish Court

Symbolism and Literary Devices

The Role of Ghosts in Elizabethan Drama and “Hamlet”
The Significance of the Play-within-a-Play Scene
The Use of Mirrors and Reflections in Character Dynamics
Gardens as Symbols of Decay and Corruption
The Sea and its Symbolic Representations

Structural Analysis

The Role and Impact of Soliloquies in “Hamlet”
The Use of Foreshadowing in the Tragedy’s Climax
The Dramatic Ironies that Pervade the Play
The Significance of Off-Stage Actions in “Hamlet”
The Role of Acts and Scenes in Pacing the Drama

Comparative Analyses

Contrasting “Hamlet” with Other Shakespearean Tragedies
“Hamlet” and “Othello”: Exploring Jealousy and Betrayal
A Comparative Study of “Hamlet” and its Sources
The Transformation of the “Hamlet” Story Through Time
“Hamlet” vs. “Romeo and Juliet”: Love in the Midst of Tragedy

Modern Interpretations and Adaptations

“Hamlet” in Today’s Pop Culture References
Cinematic Interpretations of “Hamlet”: From Olivier to Branagh
“Hamlet” in Non-English Theater: A Global Perspective
Updating “Hamlet”: The Challenges and Rewards
The Influence of “Hamlet” on Modern Dramatic Writing

Feminist Perspectives

The Role and Representation of Women in “Hamlet”
Gertrude: Passive Queen or Calculative Player?
Ophelia’s Voice and Silence: A Feminist Reading
The Paternal Controls Over Ophelia and Gertrude
Women’s Agency in “Hamlet”: A Critical Exploration

Historical and Contextual Insights

The Influence of Shakespeare’s Life Events on “Hamlet”
“Hamlet” and the Elizabethan Worldview on Ghosts and the Supernatural
Political Undertones in “Hamlet”: The State of Denmark
Elizabethan Theater and its Reflection in “Hamlet”
“Hamlet” and the Reflection of Renaissance Humanism

Psychological Angles

Hamlet’s Oedipal Complex Explored
The Mental State of Characters: Who’s Truly Mad?
The Psychological Effects of Grief and Loss in “Hamlet”
Fear, Paranoia, and Suspicion: A Psychological Dive into Elsinore’s Inhabitants
Analyzing “Hamlet” Through the Lens of Freudian Psychoanalysis

Miscellaneous Topics

The Role of Fate vs. Free Will in “Hamlet”
The Ethical Implications of Revenge in “Hamlet”
Exploring Religion and Morality in “Hamlet”
The Concept of Honor in “Hamlet”
The Nature of True Friendship in the Play

Narrative Techniques and Structure

The Role of the Chorus in “Hamlet”: Absence and Implication
Non-linear Storytelling in “Hamlet”: Flashbacks and Memories
The Significance of Interludes and Their Impact on the Main Plot
Parallel Plots in “Hamlet”: Subplots and Their Relation to the Central Narrative

Cultural Perspectives

“Hamlet” from an Eastern Philosophical Perspective
“Hamlet” in the Context of African Oral Traditions
Exploring “Hamlet” from a Postcolonial Point of View
The Play’s Universality: Why “Hamlet” Resonates Globally

Philosophical and Ethical Discussions

“To Be or Not To Be”: Hamlet’s Exploration of Nihilism
The Dichotomy of Action vs. Inaction in “Hamlet”
Ethical Ambiguities: Is Hamlet Justified in His Actions?
Determinism and Free Will in “Hamlet”

Performance and Stagecraft

The Evolution of “Hamlet” Stage Productions Over the Centuries
Modern Theatrical Interpretations of “Hamlet” and their Relevance
Challenges of Portraying Hamlet: An Actor’s Perspective
The Role of Stage Directions in Shaping “Hamlet’s” Performances

Secondary Characters and Their Significance

Fortinbras: The Silent Counterpart to Hamlet
Gravediggers in “Hamlet”: Humor Amidst Tragedy
Osric: A Reflection of Elsinore’s Decaying Morality
Marcellus and Bernardo: The Unsung Heroes of Elsinore

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Useful References

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet – Full Text
Royal Shakespeare Company’s Guide to Hamlet
Shakespeare Online: Hamlet Essays
BBC’s In-Depth Look at Hamlet

Utility Menu

Jeffrey R. Wilson

Essays on hamlet.

Written as the author taught Hamlet every semester for a decade, these lightning essays ask big conceptual questions about the play with the urgency of a Shakespeare lover, and answer them with the rigor of a Shakespeare scholar. In doing so, Hamlet becomes a lens for life today, generating insights on everything from xenophobia, American fraternities, and religious fundamentalism to structural misogyny, suicide contagion, and toxic love.

Prioritizing close reading over historical context, these explorations are highly textual and highly theoretical, often philosophical, ethical, social, and political. Readers see King Hamlet as a pre-modern villain, King Claudius as a modern villain, and Prince Hamlet as a post-modern villain. Hamlet’s feigned madness becomes a window into failed insanity defenses in legal trials. He knows he’s being watched in “To be or not to be”: the soliloquy is a satire of philosophy. Horatio emerges as Shakespeare’s authorial avatar for meta-theatrical commentary, Fortinbras as the hero of the play. Fate becomes a viable concept for modern life, and honor a source of tragedy. The metaphor of music in the play makes Ophelia Hamlet’s instrument. Shakespeare, like the modern corporation, stands against sexism, yet perpetuates it unknowingly. We hear his thoughts on single parenting, sending children off to college, and the working class, plus his advice on acting and writing, and his claims to be the next Homer or Virgil. In the context of four centuries of Hamlet hate, we hear how the text draws audiences in, how it became so famous, and why it continues to captivate audiences.

At a time when the humanities are said to be in crisis, these essays are concrete examples of the mind-altering power of literature and literary studies, unravelling the ongoing implications of the English language’s most significant artistic object of the past millennium.

Publications

Why is Hamlet the most famous English artwork of the past millennium? Is it a sexist text? Why does Hamlet speak in prose? Why must he die? Does Hamlet depict revenge, or justice? How did the death of Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, transform into a story about a son dealing with the death of a father? Did Shakespeare know Aristotle’s theory of tragedy? How did our literary icon, Shakespeare, see his literary icons, Homer and Virgil? Why is there so much comedy in Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy? Why is love a force of evil in the play? Did Shakespeare believe there’s a divinity that shapes our ends? How did he define virtue? What did he think about psychology? politics? philosophy? What was Shakespeare’s image of himself as an author? What can he, arguably the greatest writer of all time, teach us about our own writing? What was his theory of literature? Why do people like Hamlet ? How do the Hamlet haters of today compare to those of yesteryears? Is it dangerous for our children to read a play that’s all about suicide?

These are some of the questions asked in this book, a collection of essays on Shakespeare’s Hamlet stemming from my time teaching the play every semester in my Why Shakespeare? course at Harvard University. During this time, I saw a series of bright young minds from wildly diverse backgrounds find their footing in Hamlet, and it taught me a lot about how Shakespeare’s tragedy works, and why it remains with us in the modern world. Beyond ghosts, revenge, and tragedy, Hamlet is a play about being in college, being in love, gender, misogyny, friendship, theater, philosophy, theology, injustice, loss, comedy, depression, death, self-doubt, mental illness, white privilege, overbearing parents, existential angst, international politics, the classics, the afterlife, and the meaning of it all.

These essays grow from the central paradox of the play: it helps us understand the world we live in, yet we don't really understand the text itself very well. For all the attention given to Hamlet , there’s no consensus on the big questions—how it works, why it grips people so fiercely, what it’s about. These essays pose first-order questions about what happens in Hamlet and why, mobilizing answers for reflections on life, making the essays both highly textual and highly theoretical.

Each semester that I taught the play, I would write a new essay about Hamlet . They were meant to be models for students, the sort of essay that undergrads read and write – more rigorous than the puff pieces in the popular press, but riskier than the scholarship in most academic journals. While I later added scholarly outerwear, these pieces all began just like the essays I was assigning to students – as short close readings with a reader and a text and a desire to determine meaning when faced with a puzzling question or problem.

The turn from text to context in recent scholarly books about Hamlet is quizzical since we still don’t have a strong sense of, to quote the title of John Dover Wilson’s 1935 book, What Happens in Hamlet. Is the ghost real? Is Hamlet mad, or just faking? Why does he delay? These are the kinds of questions students love to ask, but they haven’t been – can’t be – answered by reading the play in the context of its sources (recently addressed in Laurie Johnson’s The Tain of Hamlet [2013]), its multiple texts (analyzed by Paul Menzer in The Hamlets [2008] and Zachary Lesser in Hamlet after Q1 [2015]), the Protestant reformation (the focus of Stephen Greenblatt’s Hamlet in Purgatory [2001] and John E. Curran, Jr.’s Hamlet, Protestantism, and the Mourning of Contingency [2006]), Renaissance humanism (see Rhodri Lewis, Hamlet and the Vision of Darkness [2017]), Elizabethan political theory (see Margreta de Grazia, Hamlet without Hamlet [2007]), the play’s reception history (see David Bevington, Murder Most Foul: Hamlet through the Ages [2011]), its appropriation by modern philosophers (covered in Simon Critchley and Jamieson Webster’s The Hamlet Doctrine [2013] and Andrew Cutrofello’s All for Nothing: Hamlet’s Negativity [2014]), or its recent global travels (addressed, for example, in Margaret Latvian’s Hamlet’s Arab Journey [2011] and Dominic Dromgoole’s Hamlet Globe to Globe [2017]).

Considering the context and afterlives of Hamlet is a worthy pursuit. I certainly consulted the above books for my essays, yet the confidence that comes from introducing context obscures the sharp panic we feel when confronting Shakespeare’s text itself. Even as the excellent recent book from Sonya Freeman Loftis, Allison Kellar, and Lisa Ulevich announces Hamlet has entered “an age of textual exhaustion,” there’s an odd tendency to avoid the text of Hamlet —to grasp for something more firm—when writing about it. There is a need to return to the text in a more immediate way to understand how Hamlet operates as a literary work, and how it can help us understand the world in which we live.

That latter goal, yes, clings nostalgically to the notion that literature can help us understand life. Questions about life send us to literature in search of answers. Those of us who love literature learn to ask and answer questions about it as we become professional literary scholars. But often our answers to the questions scholars ask of literature do not connect back up with the questions about life that sent us to literature in the first place—which are often philosophical, ethical, social, and political. Those first-order questions are diluted and avoided in the minutia of much scholarship, left unanswered. Thus, my goal was to pose questions about Hamlet with the urgency of a Shakespeare lover and to answer them with the rigor of a Shakespeare scholar.

In doing so, these essays challenge the conventional relationship between literature and theory. They pursue a kind of criticism where literature is not merely the recipient of philosophical ideas in the service of exegesis. Instead, the creative risks of literature provide exemplars to be theorized outward to help us understand on-going issues in life today. Beyond an occasion for the demonstration of existing theory, literature is a source for the creation of new theory.

Chapter One How Hamlet Works

Whether you love or hate Hamlet , you can acknowledge its massive popularity. So how does Hamlet work? How does it create audience enjoyment? Why is it so appealing, and to whom? Of all the available options, why Hamlet ? This chapter entertains three possible explanations for why the play is so popular in the modern world: the literary answer (as the English language’s best artwork about death—one of the very few universal human experiences in a modern world increasingly marked by cultural differences— Hamlet is timeless); the theatrical answer (with its mixture of tragedy and comedy, the role of Hamlet requires the best actor of each age, and the play’s popularity derives from the celebrity of its stars); and the philosophical answer (the play invites, encourages, facilitates, and sustains philosophical introspection and conversation from people who do not usually do such things, who find themselves doing those things with Hamlet , who sometimes feel embarrassed about doing those things, but who ultimately find the experience of having done them rewarding).

Chapter Two “It Started Like a Guilty Thing”: The Beginning of Hamlet and the Beginning of Modern Politics

King Hamlet is a tyrant and King Claudius a traitor but, because Shakespeare asked us to experience the events in Hamlet from the perspective of the young Prince Hamlet, we are much more inclined to detect and detest King Claudius’s political failings than King Hamlet’s. If so, then Shakespeare’s play Hamlet , so often seen as the birth of modern psychology, might also tell us a little bit about the beginnings of modern politics as well.

Chapter Three Horatio as Author: Storytelling and Stoic Tragedy

This chapter addresses Horatio’s emotionlessness in light of his role as a narrator, using this discussion to think about Shakespeare’s motives for writing tragedy in the wake of his son’s death. By rationalizing pain and suffering as tragedy, both Horatio and Shakespeare were able to avoid the self-destruction entailed in Hamlet’s emotional response to life’s hardships and injustices. Thus, the stoic Horatio, rather than the passionate Hamlet who repeatedly interrupts ‘The Mousetrap’, is the best authorial avatar for a Shakespeare who strategically wrote himself and his own voice out of his works. This argument then expands into a theory of ‘authorial catharsis’ and the suggestion that we can conceive of Shakespeare as a ‘poet of reason’ in contrast to a ‘poet of emotion’.

Chapter Four “To thine own self be true”: What Shakespeare Says about Sending Our Children Off to College

What does “To thine own self be true” actually mean? Be yourself? Don’t change who you are? Follow your own convictions? Don’t lie to yourself? This chapter argues that, if we understand meaning as intent, then “To thine own self be true” means, paradoxically, that “the self” does not exist. Or, more accurately, Shakespeare’s Hamlet implies that “the self” exists only as a rhetorical, philosophical, and psychological construct that we use to make sense of our experiences and actions in the world, not as anything real. If this is so, then this passage may offer us a way of thinking about Shakespeare as not just a playwright but also a moral philosopher, one who did his ethics in drama.

Chapter Five In Defense of Polonius

Your wife dies. You raise two children by yourself. You build a great career to provide for your family. You send your son off to college in another country, though you know he’s not ready. Now the prince wants to marry your daughter—that’s not easy to navigate. Then—get this—while you’re trying to save the queen’s life, the prince murders you. Your death destroys your kids. They die tragically. And what do you get for your efforts? Centuries of Shakespeare scholars dumping on you. If we see Polonius not through the eyes of his enemy, Prince Hamlet—the point of view Shakespeare’s play asks audiences to adopt—but in analogy to the common challenges of twenty-first-century parenting, Polonius is a single father struggling with work-life balance who sadly choses his career over his daughter’s well-being.

Chapter Six Sigma Alpha Elsinore: The Culture of Drunkenness in Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Claudius likes to party—a bit too much. He frequently binge drinks, is arguably an alcoholic, but not an aberration. Hamlet says Denmark is internationally known for heavy drinking. That’s what Shakespeare would have heard in the sixteenth century. By the seventeenth, English writers feared Denmark had taught their nation its drinking habits. Synthesizing criticism on alcoholism as an individual problem in Shakespeare’s texts and times with scholarship on national drinking habits in the early-modern age, this essay asks what the tragedy of alcoholism looks like when located not on the level of the individual, but on the level of a culture, as Shakespeare depicted in Hamlet. One window into these early-modern cultures of drunkenness is sociological studies of American college fraternities, especially the social-learning theories that explain how one person—one culture—teaches another its habits. For Claudius’s alcoholism is both culturally learned and culturally significant. And, as in fraternities, alcoholism in Hamlet is bound up with wealth, privilege, toxic masculinity, and tragedy. Thus, alcohol imagistically reappears in the vial of “cursed hebona,” Ophelia’s liquid death, and the poisoned cup in the final scene—moments that stand out in recent performances and adaptations with alcoholic Claudiuses and Gertrudes.

Chapter Seven Tragic Foundationalism

This chapter puts the modern philosopher Alain Badiou’s theory of foundationalism into dialogue with the early-modern playwright William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet . Doing so allows us to identify a new candidate for Hamlet’s traditionally hard-to-define hamartia – i.e., his “tragic mistake” – but it also allows us to consider the possibility of foundationalism as hamartia. Tragic foundationalism is the notion that fidelity to a single and substantive truth at the expense of an openness to evidence, reason, and change is an acute mistake which can lead to miscalculations of fact and virtue that create conflict and can end up in catastrophic destruction and the downfall of otherwise strong and noble people.

Chapter Eight “As a stranger give it welcome”: Shakespeare’s Advice for First-Year College Students

Encountering a new idea can be like meeting a strange person for the first time. Similarly, we dismiss new ideas before we get to know them. There is an answer to the problem of the human antipathy to strangeness in a somewhat strange place: a single line usually overlooked in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet . If the ghost is “wondrous strange,” Hamlet says, invoking the ancient ethics of hospitality, “Therefore as a stranger give it welcome.” In this word, strange, and the social conventions attached to it, is both the instinctual, animalistic fear and aggression toward what is new and different (the problem) and a cultivated, humane response in hospitality and curiosity (the solution). Intellectual xenia is the answer to intellectual xenophobia.

Chapter Nine Parallels in Hamlet

Hamlet is more parallely than other texts. Fortinbras, Hamlet, and Laertes have their fathers murdered, then seek revenge. Brothers King Hamlet and King Claudius mirror brothers Old Norway and Old Fortinbras. Hamlet and Ophelia both lose their fathers, go mad, but there’s a method in their madness, and become suicidal. King Hamlet and Polonius are both domineering fathers. Hamlet and Polonius are both scholars, actors, verbose, pedantic, detectives using indirection, spying upon others, “by indirections find directions out." King Hamlet and King Claudius are both kings who are killed. Claudius using Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet mirrors Polonius using Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. Reynaldo and Hamlet both pretend to be something other than what they are in order to spy on and detect foes. Young Fortinbras and Prince Hamlet both have their forward momentum “arrest[ed].” Pyrrhus and Hamlet are son seeking revenge but paused a “neutral to his will.” The main plot of Hamlet reappears in the play-within-the-play. The Act I duel between King Hamlet and Old Fortinbras echoes in the Act V duel between Hamlet and Laertes. Claudius and Hamlet are both king killers. Sheesh—why are there so many dang parallels in Hamlet ? Is there some detectable reason why the story of Hamlet would call for the literary device of parallelism?

Chapter Ten Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Why Hamlet Has Two Childhood Friends, Not Just One

Why have two of Hamlet’s childhood friends rather than just one? Do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have individuated personalities? First of all, by increasing the number of friends who visit Hamlet, Shakespeare creates an atmosphere of being outnumbered, of multiple enemies encroaching upon Hamlet, of Hamlet feeling that the world is against him. Second, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are not interchangeable, as commonly thought. Shakespeare gave each an individuated personality. Guildenstern is friendlier with Hamlet, and their friendship collapses, while Rosencrantz is more distant and devious—a frenemy.

Chapter Eleven Shakespeare on the Classics, Shakespeare as a Classic: A Reading of Aeneas’s Tale to Dido

Of all the stories Shakespeare might have chosen, why have Hamlet ask the players to recite Aeneas’ tale to Dido of Pyrrhus’s slaughter of Priam? In this story, which comes not from Homer’s Iliad but from Virgil’s Aeneid and had already been adapted for the Elizabethan stage in Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragedy of Dido, Pyrrhus – more commonly known as Neoptolemus, the son of the famous Greek warrior Achilles – savagely slays Priam, the king of the Trojans and the father of Paris, who killed Pyrrhus’s father, Achilles, who killed Paris’s brother, Hector, who killed Achilles’s comrade, Patroclus. Clearly, the theme of revenge at work in this story would have appealed to Shakespeare as he was writing what would become the greatest revenge tragedy of all time. Moreover, Aeneas’s tale to Dido supplied Shakespeare with all of the connections he sought to make at this crucial point in his play and his career – connections between himself and Marlowe, between the start of Hamlet and the end, between Prince Hamlet and King Claudius, between epic poetry and tragic drama, and between the classical literature Shakespeare was still reading hundreds of years later and his own potential as a classic who might (and would) be read hundreds of years into the future.

Chapter Twelve How Theater Works, according to Hamlet

According to Hamlet, people who are guilty of a crime will, when seeing that crime represented on stage, “proclaim [their] malefactions”—but that simply isn’t how theater works. Guilty people sit though shows that depict their crimes all the time without being prompted to public confession. Why did Shakespeare—a remarkably observant student of theater—write this demonstrably false theory of drama into his protagonist? And why did Shakespeare then write the plot of the play to affirm that obviously inaccurate vision of theater? For Claudius is indeed stirred to confession by the play-within-the-play. Perhaps Hamlet’s theory of people proclaiming malefactions upon seeing their crimes represented onstage is not as outlandish as it first appears. Perhaps four centuries of obsession with Hamlet is the English-speaking world proclaiming its malefactions upon seeing them represented dramatically.

Chapter Thirteen “To be, or not to be”: Shakespeare Against Philosophy

This chapter hazards a new reading of the most famous passage in Western literature: “To be, or not to be” from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet . With this line, Hamlet poses his personal struggle, a question of life and death, as a metaphysical problem, as a question of existence and nothingness. However, “To be, or not to be” is not what it seems to be. It seems to be a representation of tragic angst, yet a consideration of the context of the speech reveals that “To be, or not to be” is actually a satire of philosophy and Shakespeare’s representation of the theatricality of everyday life. In this chapter, a close reading of the context and meaning of this passage leads into an attempt to formulate a Shakespearean image of philosophy.

Chapter Fourteen Contagious Suicide in and Around Hamlet

As in society today, suicide is contagious in Hamlet , at least in the example of Ophelia, the only death by suicide in the play, because she only becomes suicidal after hearing Hamlet talk about his own suicidal thoughts in “To be, or not to be.” Just as there are media guidelines for reporting on suicide, there are better and worse ways of handling Hamlet . Careful suicide coverage can change public misperceptions and reduce suicide contagion. Is the same true for careful literary criticism and classroom discussion of suicide texts? How can teachers and literary critics reduce suicide contagion and increase help-seeking behavior?

Chapter Fifteen Is Hamlet a Sexist Text? Overt Misogyny vs. Unconscious Bias

Students and fans of Shakespeare’s Hamlet persistently ask a question scholars and critics of the play have not yet definitively answered: is it a sexist text? The author of this text has been described as everything from a male chauvinist pig to a trailblazing proto-feminist, but recent work on the science behind discrimination and prejudice offers a new, better vocabulary in the notion of unconscious bias. More pervasive and slippery than explicit bigotry, unconscious bias involves the subtle, often unintentional words and actions which indicate the presence of biases we may not be aware of, ones we may even fight against. The Shakespeare who wrote Hamlet exhibited an unconscious bias against women, I argue, even as he sought to critique the mistreatment of women in a patriarchal society. The evidence for this unconscious bias is not to be found in the misogynistic statements made by the characters in the play. It exists, instead, in the demonstrable preference Shakespeare showed for men over women when deciding where to deploy his literary talents. Thus, Shakespeare's Hamlet is a powerful literary example – one which speaks to, say, the modern corporation – showing that deliberate efforts for egalitarianism do not insulate one from the effects of structural inequalities that both stem from and create unconscious bias.

Chapter Sixteen Style and Purpose in Acting and Writing

Purpose and style are connected in academic writing. To answer the question of style ( How should we write academic papers? ) we must first answer the question of purpose ( Why do we write academic papers? ). We can answer these questions, I suggest, by turning to an unexpected style guide that’s more than 400 years old: the famous passage on “the purpose of playing” in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet . In both acting and writing, a high style often accompanies an expressive purpose attempting to impress an elite audience yet actually alienating intellectual people, while a low style and mimetic purpose effectively engage an intellectual audience.

Chapter Seventeen 13 Ways of Looking at a Ghost

Why doesn’t Gertrude see the Ghost of King Hamlet in Act III, even though Horatio, Bernardo, Francisco, Marcellus, and Prince Hamlet all saw it in Act I? It’s a bit embarrassing that Shakespeare scholars don’t have a widely agreed-upon consensus that explains this really basic question that puzzles a lot of people who read or see Hamlet .

Chapter Eighteen The Tragedy of Love in Hamlet

The word “love” appears 84 times in Shakespeare’s Hamlet . “Father” only appears 73 times, “play” 60, “think” 55, “mother” 46, “mad” 44, “soul” 40, “God" 39, “death” 38, “life” 34, “nothing” 28, “son” 26, “honor” 21, “spirit” 19, “kill” 18, “revenge” 14, and “action” 12. Love isn’t the first theme that comes to mind when we think of Hamlet , but is surprisingly prominent. But love is tragic in Hamlet . The bloody catastrophe at the end of that play is principally driven not by hatred or a longing for revenge, but by love.

Chapter Nineteen Ophelia’s Songs: Moral Agency, Manipulation, and the Metaphor of Music in Hamlet

This chapter reads Ophelia’s songs in Act IV of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the context of the meaning of music established elsewhere in the play. While the songs are usually seen as a marker of Ophelia’s madness (as a result of the death of her father) or freedom (from the constraints of patriarchy), they come – when read in light of the metaphor of music as manipulation – to symbolize her role as a pawn in Hamlet’s efforts to deceive his family. Thus, music was Shakespeare’s platform for connecting Ophelia’s story to one of the central questions in Hamlet : Do we have control over our own actions (like the musician), or are we controlled by others (like the instrument)?

Chapter Twenty A Quantitative Study of Prose and Verse in Hamlet

Why does Hamlet have so much prose? Did Shakespeare deliberately shift from verse to prose to signal something to his audiences? How would actors have handled the shifts from verse to prose? Would audiences have detected shifts from verse to prose? Is there an overarching principle that governs Shakespeare’s decision to use prose—a coherent principle that says, “If X, then use prose?”

Chapter Twenty-One The Fortunes of Fate in Hamlet : Divine Providence and Social Determinism

In Hamlet , fate is attacked from both sides: “fortune” presents a world of random happenstance, “will” a theory of efficacious human action. On this backdrop, this essay considers—irrespective of what the characters say and believe—what the structure and imagery Shakespeare wrote into Hamlet say about the possibility that some version of fate is at work in the play. I contend the world of Hamlet is governed by neither fate nor fortune, nor even the Christianized version of fate called “providence.” Yet there is a modern, secular, disenchanted form of fate at work in Hamlet—what is sometimes called “social determinism”—which calls into question the freedom of the individual will. As such, Shakespeare’s Hamlet both commented on the transformation of pagan fate into Christian providence that happened in the centuries leading up to the play, and anticipated the further transformation of fate from a theological to a sociological idea, which occurred in the centuries following Hamlet .

Chapter Twenty-Two The Working Class in Hamlet

There’s a lot for working-class folks to hate about Hamlet —not just because it’s old, dusty, difficult to understand, crammed down our throats in school, and filled with frills, tights, and those weird lace neck thingies that are just socially awkward to think about. Peak Renaissance weirdness. Claustrophobicly cloistered inside the castle of Elsinore, quaintly angsty over royal family problems, Hamlet feels like the literary epitome of elitism. “Lawless resolutes” is how the Wittenberg scholar Horatio describes the soldiers who join Fortinbras’s army in exchange “for food.” The Prince Hamlet who has never worked a day in his life denigrates Polonius as a “fishmonger”: quite the insult for a royal advisor to be called a working man. And King Claudius complains of the simplicity of "the distracted multitude.” But, in Hamlet , Shakespeare juxtaposed the nobles’ denigrations of the working class as readily available metaphors for all-things-awful with the rather valuable behavior of working-class characters themselves. When allowed to represent themselves, the working class in Hamlet are characterized as makers of things—of material goods and services like ships, graves, and plays, but also of ethical and political virtues like security, education, justice, and democracy. Meanwhile, Elsinore has a bad case of affluenza, the make-believe disease invented by an American lawyer who argued that his client's social privilege was so great that it created an obliviousness to law. While social elites rot society through the twin corrosives of political corruption and scholarly detachment, the working class keeps the machine running. They build the ships, plays, and graves society needs to function, and monitor the nuts-and-bolts of the ideals—like education and justice—that we aspire to uphold.

Chapter Twenty-Three The Honor Code at Harvard and in Hamlet

Students at Harvard College are asked, when they first join the school and several times during their years there, to affirm their awareness of and commitment to the school’s honor code. But instead of “the foundation of our community” that it is at Harvard, honor is tragic in Hamlet —a source of anxiety, blunder, and catastrophe. As this chapter shows, looking at Hamlet from our place at Harvard can bring us to see what a tangled knot honor can be, and we can start to theorize the difference between heroic and tragic honor.

Chapter Twenty-Four The Meaning of Death in Shakespeare’s Hamlet

By connecting the ways characters live their lives in Hamlet to the ways they die – on-stage or off, poisoned or stabbed, etc. – Shakespeare symbolized hamartia in catastrophe. In advancing this argument, this chapter develops two supporting ideas. First, the dissemination of tragic necessity: Shakespeare distributed the Aristotelian notion of tragic necessity – a causal relationship between a character’s hamartia (fault or error) and the catastrophe at the end of the play – from the protagonist to the other characters, such that, in Hamlet , those who are guilty must die, and those who die are guilty. Second, the spectacularity of death: there exists in Hamlet a positive correlation between the severity of a character’s hamartia (error or flaw) and the “spectacularity” of his or her death – that is, the extent to which it is presented as a visible and visceral spectacle on-stage.

Chapter Twenty-Five Tragic Excess in Hamlet

In Hamlet , Shakespeare paralleled the situations of Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras (the father of each is killed, and each then seeks revenge) to promote the virtue of moderation: Hamlet moves too slowly, Laertes too swiftly – and they both die at the end of the play – but Fortinbras represents a golden mean which marries the slowness of Hamlet with the swiftness of Laertes. As argued in this essay, Shakespeare endorsed the virtue of balance by allowing Fortinbras to be one of the very few survivors of the play. In other words, excess is tragic in Hamlet .

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Hamlet essay topics delve into the deep, convoluted world of Shakespearean tragedy, focusing on various themes, such as revenge, mortality, madness, and moral corruption. These topics provide a rich exploration of Hamlet’s internal struggles and existential crises, his complex relationships with characters, like Ophelia, Gertrude, and Claudius, and his philosophically profound soliloquies. They also invite analysis of the play’s symbolism, motifs, and underlying social and political commentary. Delving into these subjects, students can contrast Hamlet’s contemplative nature with the impulsive behavior of other characters, scrutinize the impact of the supernatural, or dissect the tragic elements that lead to Hamlet’s downfall. From examining the ambiguity of characters’ actions to questioning the meaning of life and death, Hamlet essay topics offer many critical lenses through which students can understand and interpret this famous work of literature.

Best Hamlet Essay Topics

Exploring the Concept of Revenge in Hamlet
Uncertainty in Decision Making: A Deep Dive Into Hamlet’s Indecisiveness
Madness as Portrayed in Hamlet: Real or Feigned?
Polonius as a Catalyst in the Tragedy of Hamlet
Interpreting the Significance of Ophelia’s Death
Hamlet and the Oedipus Complex: Analyzing Freudian Themes
Claudius’ Manipulation Techniques in Power Consolidation
Betrayal in Hamlet: Who Betrays Whom and Why?
A Comparative Study: Hamlet and the Elizabethan Era
Unpacking the Metaphor of Yorick’s Skull
Aesthetic Symbolism in the Mousetrap Play Within Hamlet
Laertes and Hamlet: A Study in Contrasts
Death and the Afterlife: How Does Hamlet Approach Existential Questions?
Soliloquies in Hamlet: Window Into the Prince’s Soul
Shakespeare’s Hamlet: A Feminist Interpretation
Hamlet’s Paralysis of Action: Causes and Consequences
Exploring Misogyny and Power Structures in Hamlet
Existential Crisis in Hamlet: A Modern Interpretation
Supernatural Elements in Hamlet: Apparition as a Narrative Device
Shakespeare’s Use of Foils in Hamlet: Purpose and Effectiveness

Easy Hamlet Essay Topics

Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw: Procrastination and Its Consequences
Understanding the Ghost of Hamlet’s Father
Analysis of King Claudius as Hamlet’s Adversary
Significance of the Play-Within-a-Play in Hamlet
Examining Hamlet’s Relationship With Gertrude
The Portrayal of Love and Relationships in Hamlet
Major Themes in Hamlet: A Comprehensive Review
A Closer Look at Hamlet’s Soliloquies
Character Analysis: Is Polonius Truly Wise?
Duplicity and Deception in Hamlet’s Denmark
Hamlet’s View on Life and Death
Comparing Hamlet and Laertes: A Study of Similarities
Symbolism in Hamlet: An In-Depth Study
Fortinbras as a Parallel Character to Hamlet
Fate vs. Free Will in Hamlet’s Narrative
Decoding the Importance of Dreams in Hamlet
Understanding the Tragic Ending of Hamlet
Guilt and Regret: Claudius’s Secret Torment
Hamlet’s Friendship With Horatio: An Analysis

Interesting Hamlet Essay Topics

Unraveling the Mystery of Hamlet’s Madness
Deconstructing the Hamartia in Hamlet’s Character
Dualism in Hamlet: Appearance vs. Reality
Disease and Decay: A Recurring Imagery in Hamlet
Analyzing Hamlet’s Misogyny: A Feminist Perspective
Deciphering the Cryptic Nature of Hamlet’s Soliloquies
Ophelia’s Descent Into Madness: A Psychological Interpretation
Insight Into Hamlet’s Melancholic Nature
Existentialism in Hamlet: A Philosophical Analysis
Analyzing the Significance of Fortinbras in Hamlet
Interpreting the Foreshadowing in Hamlet’s Narrative
Comparative Analysis: Hamlet and Macbeth
Decoding the Dramatic Irony in Hamlet
Morality and Ethics in Hamlet’s Denmark
A Closer Look at Hamlet’s Tragic Redemption
Significance of the Sea Imagery in Hamlet
Familial Relationships in Hamlet: An In-Depth Analysis
Closet Scene in Hamlet: A Turning Point
Understanding Hamlet Through His Soliloquies
Exploring the Underlying Theme of Madness in Hamlet

List of Hamlet Essay Topics to Start With

Understanding Hamlet’s State of Mind: A Psychological Analysis
Consequences of Revenge in Hamlet’s Story
Analyzing the Relationship Dynamics Between Ophelia and Hamlet
Shakespeare’s Usage of Dramatic Irony in Hamlet
Influence of Supernatural Elements in Hamlet
Tragic Elements in Hamlet: A Detailed Study
Unpacking the Concept of Death in Hamlet
Existential Dilemmas Faced by Hamlet
Imagery and Metaphors: A Study in Hamlet
Insights Into the Ghost of King Hamlet
Shakespeare’s Perspective on Morality in Hamlet
Tracing the Theme of Deception in Hamlet
Characters in Hamlet: A Comparative Analysis
The Portrayal of Power Dynamics in Hamlet
Feminine Characters in Hamlet: An Analytical Review
Hamlet and His Tragic Hero Attributes
King Claudius: An In-Depth Character Study
Disguise and Deceit in the Court of Denmark
Exploring the Theme of Loyalty in Hamlet
Decoding the Symbolism in Hamlet’s Soliloquies

Hamlet Argumentative Essay Topics

Deconstruction of the Ghost in Hamlet: A Derridean Perspective
Analyzing Hamlet through Lacanian Psychoanalysis
The Portrayal of Existentialist Philosophy in Hamlet
Hamlet’s Madness: A Rorschach Test for Audiences and Readers
The Politics of Power and Subterfuge in Hamlet
Ophelia: An Early Feminist Icon or Victim of Patriarchy?
Applying Carl Jung’s Theory of Archetypes to Characters in Hamlet
Hamlet’s Tragic Paradox: Intellectual Acumen vs. Emotional Impulsivity
Closet Scene: Freudian Psychoanalysis of Gertrude and Hamlet’s Relationship
Justice and Retribution: A Postmodern Reading of Hamlet
Analyzing Hamlet Using Judith Butler’s Theory of Gender Performativity
Meta-Theatrical Elements in Hamlet: A Performance Theory Approach
Hamlet’s Existential Crisis: A Nietzschean Perspective
Decoding Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw Through Aristotelian Lens
Hamlet and the Divine Right of Kings: A Political Analysis
Concept of ‘Delay’ in Hamlet: A Study in Elizabethan Context
Application of Julia Kristeva’s Intertextuality: Hamlet and Its Sources
Absurdism in Hamlet: A Comparative Analysis With Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot
Hamlet: An Eco-Critical Interpretation
Hamlet’s Soliloquies: A Bakhtinian Dialogic Analysis

Hamlet Research Paper Topics

Subjectivity and the Self in Hamlet: A Lacanian Analysis
Hamlet’s Delay: Procrastination or Philosophical Deliberation?
Gender Dynamics and Power Structures in Hamlet’s Denmark
Interpretation of Religious Themes in Hamlet
Understanding Madness in Hamlet: From a Foucauldian Perspective
Postcolonial Reading of Hamlet: Center and Periphery in Denmark
Tragic Ambiguity: A Comparative Study of Hamlet and Oedipus Rex
Interpreting Hamlet’s Indecision Through Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis
Metafiction in Hamlet: A Study of the Play Within the Play
Deconstructing the Use of Irony in Hamlet
Exploring Notions of Honor and Social Hierarchy in Hamlet
Decoding Hamlet’s Relationship With Ophelia: A Freudian Perspective
Ethical Dilemmas in Hamlet: A Kantian Interpretation
Existential Dread in Hamlet: A Study Through Kierkegaard’s Philosophy
Hamlet’s Soliloquies: A Study in Self and Society
Revenge Tragedy Elements in Hamlet: A Comparative Study With Spanish Tragedy
Interpreting the Paradox of Hamlet’s Character: A New Historicist Approach
Characterization in Hamlet: A Study in Contrast
The Intertwining of Politics and Morality in Hamlet

Hamlet Essay Questions Examples

How Does the Character of Hamlet Reflect the Freudian Theory of Psychoanalysis?
Exploring the Power Dynamics in Hamlet: A Foucauldian Analysis
Does Hamlet’s Madness Symbolize an Individual’s Struggle Against Society?
Can Hamlet’s Tragic Flaw Be Seen as a Reflection of His Intelligence?
How Do Hamlet’s Soliloquies Contribute to the Development of His Character?
What Makes Hamlet a Tragic Hero in Shakespeare’s Hamlet?
Interpreting the Theme of Revenge in Hamlet: What Are Its Consequences?
Is Ophelia a Victim or a Manipulator in Hamlet?
How Does the Ghost of Hamlet’s Father Influence the Course of the Play?
To What Extent Does the Theme of Mortality Drive the Narrative of Hamlet?
Can We Consider Hamlet as a Commentary on the Nature of Acting?
How Does Hamlet Conform to or Subvert the Conventions of a Revenge Tragedy?
How Does Hamlet Explore the Idea of the Individual vs. Society?
In What Ways Do the Other Characters Serve as Foils to Hamlet?
How Does the Play Within the Play Contribute to the Meta-Theatrical Aspects of Hamlet?
How Do the Concepts of Honor and Loyalty Manifest in Hamlet?
What Is the Significance of the Oedipal Complex in Hamlet’s Relationship With Gertrude?
How Does Hamlet’s Relationship With Ophelia Reflect His Attitude towards Women?
What Role Does Polonius Play in the Tragedy of Hamlet?
Can Hamlet Be Seen as an Exploration of the Human Condition?

The Theme of Modern Society for Hamlet Essay Ideas

Hamlet’s Indecision: A Reflection of Modern-Day Analysis Paralysis
Relevance of Hamlet’s Existential Crisis in the 21st Century
Interpreting the Tragic Hero: Hamlet in a Modern Context
Unpacking the Theme of Surveillance in Hamlet and Its Echoes in Today’s Society
Interpreting Hamlet’s Madness: A Lens to View Mental Health Stigma in Contemporary Society
Deception and Duplicity in Hamlet: A Comparison With Modern-Day Politics
Hamlet’s Struggle With Moral Dilemmas: Parallels in the Modern World
Tragic Outcomes of Revenge in Hamlet and Its Reflections on Modern Conflicts
Misogyny in Hamlet: A Dialogue on Current Gender Inequality
Exploring the Theme of Death in Hamlet: A Contemporary Perspective
Analyzing the Decay of Political Systems in Hamlet and Its Modern Reflections
Ophelia’s Madness: A Commentary on Societal Treatment of Women’s Mental Health
The Role of Conscience in Hamlet and Its Place in Modern Society
Authority and Power in Hamlet: A Mirror to Modern Political Structures
Father-Son Relationships in Hamlet and Its Reflections on Contemporary Society
Hamlet’s Soliloquies: An Exploration of Individualism in the Modern World
Corruption in Hamlet’s Denmark: Parallels With Contemporary Societies
Decoding the Concept of Honor in Hamlet and Its Resonance Today
Hamlet’s Tragic Paradox: Relevance in the Age of Information Overload

Hamlet Essay Topics on Themes and Motifs

Deconstructing the Motif of Revenge in Hamlet
Interpreting Death and Mortality in Hamlet: A Comprehensive Analysis
Unmasking the Theme of Madness in Hamlet
Tracing the Motif of Disease and Corruption in Hamlet
Exploring the Theme of Betrayal in Hamlet
Examining the Recurring Motif of Incest in Hamlet
Analyzing the Theme of Appearance vs. Reality in Hamlet
Decoding the Motif of Hesitation and Delay in Hamlet
Fate and Destiny in Hamlet: A Thematic Exploration
Understanding the Theme of Action vs. Inaction in Hamlet
Exploring the Motif of Theatricality in Hamlet
Analyzing the Theme of Love and Relationships in Hamlet
Tracing the Motif of Suicide in Hamlet
Hamlet’s Fear of the Afterlife: A Thematic Study
Unraveling the Theme of Honor and Reputation in Hamlet
Identifying the Motif of Ears and Hearing in Hamlet
The Theme of Loyalty in Hamlet: A Detailed Analysis
Analyzing the Recurring Motif of Ghosts and the Supernatural in Hamlet
Interpreting the Theme of Deception and Lies in Hamlet
Decoding the Motif of Metaphysical Uncertainty in Hamlet

Hamlet Essay Topics on Character Analysis

Character Study: Hamlet as an Anti-Hero
Exploring the Contradictions in Hamlet’s Character
Analysis of Ophelia: Victim or Manipulator?
Claudius: A Villain or a Tragic Figure?
Understanding Gertrude: A Complex Character Study
Fortinbras: A Contrast to Hamlet
Polonius: Folly or Wisdom?
Laertes: Revenge, Honor, and Contrast to Hamlet
Horatio: Friendship and Loyalty Personified
The Ghost of King Hamlet: More than an Apparition?
Interpreting the Character of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Gravediggers in Hamlet: Humor amid Tragedy
Marcellus and Bernardo: Gatekeepers of the Supernatural
Ophelia’s Madness: A Character Analysis
Hamlet’s Foils: A Study of Laertes and Fortinbras
Exploring the Character of Reynaldo in Hamlet
Decoding the Character of Francisco in Hamlet
Interpreting the Character of Voltemand in Hamlet
Understanding the Character of Cornelius in Hamlet

Shakespearean Language and Style for Hamlet Essay Topics

Metaphysical Imagery in Hamlet: An Analysis
Exploring the Use of Soliloquies in Hamlet
Decoding the Symbolism in Hamlet’s Monologues
Shakespearean Puns in Hamlet: A Study of Linguistic Humor
Figurative Language in Hamlet: An In-Depth Analysis
Interpreting the Blank Verse and Prose in Hamlet
Rhyme and Rhythm in Hamlet: A Study of Shakespeare’s Poetic Style
Hamlet’s Language: An Indicator of His Madness?
The Role of Foreshadowing in Hamlet
Wordplay in Hamlet: A Comprehensive Study
Analyzing the Use of Irony in Hamlet
Tracing the Recurring Motifs in Hamlet Through Language
Analyzing the Use of Alliteration in Hamlet
Exploring the Use of Paradox in Hamlet
Deciphering the Cryptic Language of the Ghost in Hamlet
The Use of Similes and Metaphors in Hamlet
Understanding the Role of Iambic Pentameter in Hamlet
Analyzing the Language Patterns of Ophelia in Hamlet
Exploring the Use of Pathos in Hamlet
Interpreting the Imagery of Death and Decay in Hamlet

Hamlet Essay Topics on Literary Devices

Exploring Foreshadowing in Hamlet: A Comprehensive Analysis
Analyzing Irony in Hamlet: Dramatic, Situational, and Verbal
Understanding the Significance of Soliloquies in Hamlet
Tracing the Use of Metaphors and Similes in Hamlet
Decoding the Role of Allusion in Hamlet
Dramatic Structure in Hamlet: Freytag’s Pyramid Applied
Analyzing the Use of Hyperbole in Hamlet
Interpreting the Use of Symbolism in Hamlet
Understanding the Significance of Metadrama in Hamlet
Analyzing the Use of Antithesis in Hamlet
Exploring the Role of Foils in Hamlet
Decoding the Use of Puns and Wordplay in Hamlet
Understanding the Significance of Anaphora in Hamlet
Interpreting the Use of Synecdoche in Hamlet
Understanding the Role of Juxtaposition in Hamlet
Hamlet’s Language: A Study in Oxymoron and Paradox
The Use of Euphemism in Hamlet: An Analysis
Exploring the Use of Dramatic Monologue in Hamlet
Analyzing the Significance of Alliteration in Hamlet

Hamlet Topics on Historical and Cultural Contexts

Contextualizing Hamlet: Understanding Elizabethan Tragedy
Hamlet and the Historical Context of the Protestant Reformation
Exploring the Influence of Renaissance Humanism in Hamlet
Interpreting Hamlet in the Light of Jacobean Political Intrigue
Hamlet in Context: The Question of Regicide in Elizabethan England
Understanding the Influence of Greek Tragedy on Hamlet
Shakespeare’s Hamlet: An Examination of Renaissance Machiavellian Politics
The Influence of Medieval Danish History on Hamlet
Hamlet and the Influence of Elizabethan Views on Madness
Understanding the Socio-Cultural Context of Ghosts in Hamlet
Hamlet: A Critique of Courtly Politics in the Elizabethan Era?
Analyzing the Influence of Elizabethan Gender Norms in Hamlet
Understanding the Elizabethan Concept of Honor in Hamlet
Interpreting Hamlet in the Context of Early Modern Attitudes Toward Death
Hamlet and the Influence of Renaissance Philosophy
Decoding the Influence of Elizabethan Revenge Tragedy Conventions in Hamlet
Understanding the Historical Perception of Madness in the Context of Hamlet
Interpreting the Cultural Symbolism of the Skull in Hamlet
The Influence of Classical Tragedy on the Structure of Hamlet
Hamlet and the Question of Loyalty in Elizabethan Society

Themes of Tragedy and Revenge for Hamlet Essay Topics

Hamlet: Tragedy or Revenge Play?
Understanding the Concept of Revenge in Hamlet
Unraveling the Tragic Hero in Hamlet
Interpreting the Cycle of Revenge in Hamlet
Analyzing Hamlet as a Tragic Figure
Exploring the Destructive Nature of Revenge in Hamlet
The Tragedy of Action vs. Inaction in Hamlet
Decoding the Link Between Madness and Revenge in Hamlet
Understanding the Tragic Flaw in Hamlet
Revenge and Its Consequences in Hamlet
Tragic Consequences of Deception in Hamlet
Analyzing the Role of Revenge in Driving the Plot of Hamlet
Exploring the Impact of Revenge on the Characters of Hamlet
Understanding the Transformation of Revenge Into Tragedy in Hamlet
Analyzing the Role of Supernatural in Inciting Revenge in Hamlet
Exploring the Intersection of Revenge and Madness in Hamlet
Understanding the Dichotomy of Revenge and Justice in Hamlet
Hamlet’s Procrastination: The Tragic Delay in Revenge
Tragic Elements in the Subplot of Hamlet

Hamlet Topics on Feminist Criticism and Gender Roles

Hamlet: A Feminist Critique
Exploring the Feminine in Hamlet: Character Analysis of Ophelia
Understanding Gertrude: A Feminist Perspective
Hamlet and the Patriarchal Society: A Feminist Reading
Interpreting Hamlet Through the Lens of Gender Performativity
Analyzing the Role of Female Agency in Hamlet
Feminist Criticism of Female Objectification in Hamlet
Unraveling the Feminine Mystique in Hamlet
Understanding the Subjugation of Women in Hamlet
Decoding the Binary Oppositions of Gender in Hamlet
Unraveling the Silence of Women in Hamlet
Hamlet: A Study in Gender and Power Relations
Analyzing the Influence of the Male Gaze in Hamlet
Understanding the Construction of Femininity in Hamlet
Exploring the Stereotypes of Madness and Female Weakness in Hamlet
Unraveling the Madonna-Whore Dichotomy in Hamlet
Gender and Mortality in Hamlet: A Feminist Study
The Role of Women in Hamlet: Victims or Villains?
A Feminist Reading of the Tragic Women in Hamlet
Analyzing the Role of Virginity and Purity in the Characterization of Ophelia

Hamlet Topics on Mental Health and Illness

Hamlet and the Spectrum of Madness: A Comprehensive Analysis
Interpreting Ophelia’s Madness in the Context of Elizabethan Society
Hamlet’s Melancholia: An Analysis Through Freudian Lens
Exploring the Representation of Mental Illness in Hamlet
Depiction of Grief and Loss in Hamlet: A Psychological Perspective
Hamlet: Tragic Hero or a Victim of Mental Illness?
Understanding the Representation of Psychosis in Hamlet
Interpreting the Mental Breakdown of Ophelia: A Psychological Study
Hamlet’s Soliloquies: Insight Into His Mental State
Exploring the Impact of Hamlet’s Faked Insanity on His Mental Health
Analyzing the Theme of Madness and Mental Instability in Hamlet
Hamlet: A Study of Paranoid Personality Disorder
Interpreting the Theme of Despair in Hamlet
Understanding the Depiction of Depression in Hamlet
Madness Real and Feigned: A Study of Hamlet
Hamlet: A Case Study in the Stigmatization of Mental Illness
Ophelia’s Descent Into Madness: A Psychological Analysis
Understanding the Tragic Consequences of Ignoring Mental Health in Hamlet

Hamlet Topics on the Role of Ghosts

Hamlet’s Ghost: Messenger or Manipulator?
Interpreting the Significance of Ghosts in Hamlet
Ghostly Apparitions and Their Function in Hamlet
Hamlet and the Supernatural: Analyzing the Ghost’s Influence
Deciphering the Ghost in Hamlet: A Study of Supernatural Elements
Understanding the Ethereal: The Ghost’s Existence in Hamlet
Exploring the Intersection of Supernatural and Reality in Hamlet
Hamlet: A Study in Spectral Ambiguity
Interrogating the Ghost’s Veracity in Hamlet
Hamlet’s Ghost: Symbol of Revenge or Remorse?
The Ghost in Hamlet: An Embodiment of Fear and Guilt?
Deconstructing the Role of Ghosts in Shaping Hamlet’s Actions
Understanding the Narrative Function of the Ghost in Hamlet
The Ghost as a Catalyst for Tragedy in Hamlet
Purgatorial Representations: The Ghost in Hamlet
How the Ghost Alters the Course of Events in Hamlet
Ghosts and Revenge: Unraveling the Connection in Hamlet
Investigating the Existential Dread Created by the Ghost in Hamlet
The Ghost as a Symbol of Unresolved Issues in Hamlet
Influence of the Ghost on Hamlet’s Perception of Death

Symbolism of Objects and Settings for Hamlet Essay Topics

Significance of Yorick’s Skull in Hamlet: A Symbolic Analysis
Interpreting the Symbolism of the Ghost in Hamlet
Understanding the Role of Denmark’s Court as a Symbol in Hamlet
Exploring the Symbolism of the Poisoned Sword in Hamlet
Hamlet’s Soliloquy: Symbolic Representation of His Inner Turmoil
The Garden Imagery in Hamlet: Symbolizing Corruption and Decay
Reading the Symbolism in Ophelia’s Flowers in Hamlet
Decoding the Symbolism of Death and Mortality in Hamlet
Understanding the Role of Theater in Hamlet: A Symbolic Study
The Symbolism of Madness in Hamlet: A Thorough Examination
The Metaphor of the Unweeded Garden in Hamlet: A Symbolic Analysis
Significance of the Ghostly Apparitions in the Setting of Hamlet
The Symbolism of the Sea and Voyages in Hamlet: A Detailed Study
Elucidating the Role of the Graveyard Scene in Hamlet
Symbolism in Hamlet’s Clothing: A Comprehensive Analysis
Decoding the Symbolism in the Monarchic Power Struggle in Hamlet
Interpreting the Symbolic Use of Ophelia’s Death in Hamlet
The Symbolism of Revenge in Hamlet: An Analytical Study
Decoding the Symbolic Representation of Power and Betrayal in Hamlet
The Symbolic Function of the Play-Within-a-Play in Hamlet

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Hamlet William Shakespeare

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Hamlet Essays

Through rose colored glasses: how the victorian age shifted the focus of hamlet rebecca rendell.

19th century critic William Hazlitt praised Hamlet by saying that, "The whole play is an exact transcript of what might be supposed to have taken pace at the court of Denmark, at the remote period of the time fixed upon." (Hazlitt 164-169) Though...

Q to F7: Mate; Hamlet's Emotions, Actions, and Importance in the Nunnery Scene Rebecca Rendell

"Like sweet bells jangled, out of time and harsh" Hamlet's trust is betrayed by the people who are dearest to his heart (III.i.87). The theme of betrayal takes root before the Shakespeare's tragedy begins, when Hamlet's uncle murders his father...

Before the Storm Rebecca Rendell

When Hamlet sees Fortinbras' army headed for combat in Poland he is moved to deliver a striking monologue about the battle raging in his soul. Passion and anger drive Hamlet to avenge his father's murder at any cost, while logic and reason turn...

Haunted: Hamlet's Relationship With His Dead Father Tommy Stevenson

William Shakespeare's Hamlet, a story grounded in worldly issues like morality, justice, and retribution, begins in a very otherworldly way: the appearance of a ghost desiring vengeance from beyond the grave. The supernatural confrontation between...

Heliocentric Hamlet: The Astronomy of Hamlet Theoderek Wayne

If imagination is the lifeblood of literature, then each new scientific advance which extends our scope of the universe is as fruitful to the poet as to the astronomer. External and environmental change stimulates internal and personal tropes for...

Paralytic Prince: Hamlet's "Thought" Complex Theoderek Wayne

"If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,

And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,

Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.

Who does it then? His madness. If't be so,

Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;

His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy."

"I Have Seen Nothing": Hamlet and His Home Eddie Borey

Hamlet begins at the open mouth of the Void. Barnardo and Francisco call out to each other and into darkness; they stand atop a guard platform that is naked to the open air and to the night. Every character's entrance is marked by a series of...

The Corruption in Hamlet Allison Masters

Central to the plot and the themes developed in Shakespeare's Hamlet, are the varying elements of corruption which occur during the play. This is echoed in Marcellus' famous comment of 'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,' when Hamlet is...

Hamlet's Obsession With Death Marie Moulin

In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the author presents the main character of Hamlet as a man who is obsessed with death. Shakespeare uses this obsession to explore both Hamlet's desire for revenge and his need for certainty. In the...

Hamlet's Frustration with Himself: "A Rogue And Peasant Slave" David Sauvage

In order to understand Hamlet, we must understand his frustration. This frustration is most clear in his famous monologue, famously beginning with the line "Oh what a rogue and peasant slave am I."

This self-condemnation is contrasted by his...

"Pray God Restore Him": The Importance of the Origin of the First Quarto of Hamlet David Sauvage

Ofel: Alas, what a change is this?

Ham: But if thou wilt needes marry, marry a foole,

For wisemen know well enough,

What monsters you make of them, to a Nunnery goe.

Ofel: Pray God restore him.

Ham: Nay, I have heard of your painting too,

God hath giuen...

Hamlet's Problematic "Celestial Bed" David Sauvage

To understand Hamlet's insecurities, we must understand Ophelia's point of view. It is she who makes him most uncomfortable over the course of the play, and it is her rejection of him that drives Hamlet closer to insanity. Her reasons for this...

"He's Depressed": The Implications of Hamlet, II.ii.278-292 Alex Hoffer

In his famous speech, "I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth[...]" (II.ii.280), Hamlet illustrates an Elizabethan fusion of medieval and humanist ideas, perhaps lost on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern but not on E.M.W. Tillyard....

A Play of Espionage and War Joshua V. Rohe

"It is not the object of war to annihilate those who have given provocation for it, but to cause them to mend their ways; not to ruin the innocent and guilty alike, but to save both" (Polybius). From the start of man's political awareness, war has...

In Violence, the Rest is Silence Sara Liss

Location is everything. The setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the royal court, functions as more than the backdrop to the drama. On the contrary, embedded within the play is the implicit significance of its environment. Court society, with its...

The Interpretive Effects of an Affecting Interpretation Sara Liss

"For there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so" (2.2, 249-250)

From the start of Shakespeare's Hamlet it is clear that much of the action is cerebral. The play never escapes the confines of Hamlet's head. One is never sure if...

Hamlet's Conflict Between Play and Reality Chris Mays

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Polonius puts forth a simple explanation of insanity, stating that "to define true madness, what is it to be nothing else but mad?" Such a diagnosis is necessary in the court of Denmark, in which the perspective of reality...

Cultural Identity In Hamlet Matt Zajic

In William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, the concept of cultural identity is explored through Hamlet's isolation which is created by the conflict between his duty to his father, and his duties to the monarchy and society. Hamlet is isolated from his...

Thought as Inaction in William Shakespeare's Hamlet Megan DiGregorio

"Understanding kills action." With these three simple words, Nietzsche explains the idea behind Shakespeare's development of the acting of thought as inaction, and also the reason that Hamlet hesitates for over 3000 lines of blank verse and prose...

The Dishonest Ghost in "Hamlet" Marilyn Fu

Shakespeare has always been able to create characters richly dichotomous in nature. In "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark," the portrayal of the ghost of Hamlet's father vacillates through the play from Hamlet's uncertainty of whether "it is an honest...

The Foils of Hamlet David McDevitt

Literary techniques evoke images, emotion and in the case of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" teach a lesson. The dominant literary technique ongoing throughout "Hamlet" is the presence of foils. A foil is a character who, through strong contrast and...

How All Deletions Do Inform Against Me: A Look at Hamlet's Psychological Transformation in His Final Soliloquy Jessica Hindman

Though the identity of the "editor" responsible for deleting Hamlet's final soliloquy from the 1623 Folio edition of Hamlet may be lost to history, the possible reasons for his omission of the Quarto's fifty-eight lines are as relevant and...

The Inseparability of Acting and Ruling: An Analysis of Hamlet and The First Part of Henry the Fourth Tyler Merritt

Within Hamlet and 1 Henry the Fourth are examples of Shakespeare including the trade of acting within the text as a central theme. Hamlet certainly shows us his skill as an actor throughout the play, but there is a more blatant preference to...

Wasting Away in Denmark: Of Course There's a Woman to Blame Kasey Schneider

William Shakespeare's Hamlet, says renowned pundit of literature, Harold Bloom, "is unsurpassed in the West's imaginative literature" (Bloom 384). Surely, its story, style, and many famous lines have transcended time and place to such an extent...

204 Hamlet Essay Topics

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Appearance vs Reality: Hamlet Theme Analysis
The Seven Soliloquies of Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” as a Tragedy
Hamlet and Gertrude Relationship Analysis – Research Paper
Oedipus Rex & Hamlet: Compare & Contrast Essay
Shakespearean Hamlet’s and Ophelia’s Relationship
The Revenge Theme in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
How the Renaissance Affected Hamlet The Renaissance period was one in which many creative writers, artists, and songwriters worked together to create and produce magnificent works of art.
Hamlet and Oedipus: Resilience Compared Every tragic character has to face an unexpected reveal. When encountering it, Hamlet demonstrates greater resilient than Oedipus.
Love in “Hamlet” Play by William Shakespeare Hamlet written by William Shakespeare is a play-tragedy disclosing a lot of aspects of the social and personal lives of its characters.
Power and Powerlessness in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet This paper explores how characters in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet have power in one situation and are powerless in another through the Marxist theory.
Hamlet’s Internal Conflict in Shakespeare’s Play Hamlet’s indecision presents the central pillar of the internal conflict. The distinction between illusion and reality presents another internal conflict within Hamlet.
Similarities and Character Differences of Hamlet and Laertes Although Hamlet and Laertes display similar qualities, they vary in that Hamlet is wise, and motivated by reason while Laertes is impulsive, and passionate.
Ophelia in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare Lack of maternal guidance, possession of a naïve spirit, and lack of exposure are the main reasons for Ophelia’s unhealthy love to Hamlet and her subsequent tragedy in the Shakespeare ‘s play.
Why Shakespeare’s Hamlet Is Still Relevant Today and 400 years ago people care about personal feelings. Regardless of their social status and cultural background, Hamlet is deeply rooted in the hearts of readers.
Hamlet’s Costume Design Scenic design is a vital element in every play. This study looks at the costume design in Hamlet with reference to the characters in act 3 scenes.
Who Showed Greater Resilience: Oedipus or Hamlet? Both Oedipus and Hamlet are determined individuals; however, from this review, it is clear that Hamlet shows greater resilience than Oedipus.
The Role of Conflicts in Hamlet by William Shakespeare A number of conflicts come out in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare: internal conflict of Hamlet, the conflict between Hamlet and King Claudia and others.
The Complex Character: Hamlet From “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare Hamlet’s deeply observant and reflective nature is shown to be the central defining feature that enables the progression of the plot in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare.
Resilience in “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles and “Hamlet” by Shakespeare Both Oedipus and Hamlet have difficulties accepting horrible truths about themselves and their families; however, Hamlet seems to be more resilient.
Crisis of Masculinity in Hamlet Through the main character, Shakespeare translates and critiques the ideas about masculinity and femininity that were prevalent at the time.
Claudius as Hamlet’s Foil in Shakespeare’s Play In Hamlet, Shakespeare utilizes several foil characters to help readers better comprehend Hamlet’s character. One such foil is Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle.
Analysis of Hamlet’s Second Soliloquy Soliloquies are widely used in the play, as Hamlet cannot freely express his emotions and share the thoughts that are rooted in his inner drama.
Loyalty as a Source of Tragedy in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Being a thematically intricate and unbelievably nuanced work, Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” incorporates a plethora of ideas.
Oedipus Versus Hamlet: Resilience in Characters Resilience as the ability to hold onto one’s beliefs despite the odds that the world may throw at a person is one of the traits that appeal particularly strongly to readers.
Stylistic and Literary Devices of “Hamlet” Stylistic devices and the tone of “Hamlet” establish the atmosphere of the play and navigate the reader through the most dramatic parts of the tragedy.
An Analysis of “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare Hamlet and the other characters do not really know who they are and this is a theme subtly brought to light here and more so, it echoes throughout the whole play.
Women Role in Shakespeare’s Othello and Hamlet The villain role of women in the Shakespeare’s plays Othello and Hamlet seems to have inspired the themes in both literary works.
Interplay of Literary Elements in Shakespeare’s Hamlet The goal of this essay is to identify and promote a philosophical interpretation of Hamlet through the prism of metaphors, similes, allusions, and other literary elements.
Imagery Blindness of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and Sophocle’s “Oedipus” Illustrating blindness as imagery, Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Sophocle’s Oedipus reflect the confrontation of appearance and reality in the society and in the souls of these characters.
Resilience: Oedipus and Hamlet Ancient Greek plots and motives are commonly reflected in the European literature of the New Age, which makes the heritage of different epochs comparable.
An Analysis of Hamlet by Shakespeare Hamlet is a play that everyone has to read at least once in their life to see how the feeling of grief can affect a person’s behavior.
Hamlet’s Vision and Candide’s Consideration of Love Hamlet considers the reality in which he is forced to live as extremely hostile. Under the pressure of dangerous events he lost his faith in people’s honesty.
Shakespear’s Hamlet: Conflict Between Seeming and Being This is an analysis of the characters such as Hamlet, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern clarifies the play’s obsession with the theme of the conflict between seeming and being.
A Comparison of “Hamlet” by Shakespeare and “Wuthering Heights” by Bronte Literature has a way of continuing to explore many of the same themes that seem to plague mankind throughout history.
The Role and Impact of Gertrude in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” The paper discusses Gertrude. She is the mother of the protagonist of the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare. She is the widow of King Hamlet of Denmark.
Character Analysis of Shakespeare’s Prince Hamlet Hamlet is Charismatic because of Ophelia’s and Horatio’s admiration of him. Lastly, Hamlet shows the reader his loyalty by meeting his dad’s ghost and agreeing to revenge.
The Justification of Hamlet’s Revenge on Claudius The author provides a brief overview of Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and reflects on the ethical issues raised in the play.
Literature Analysis of Hamlet’s Soliloquies This paper will analyze Hamlet’s beliefs,and fears, wants, talents, and flaws solely based on his soliloquies.
Hamlet’s Vulnerability in “Hamlet” by Shakespeare This paper discusses the vulnerability of Hamlet, the protagonist of Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet” and explores the reasons behind Hamlet’s vulnerability.
Laura Bohannan vs. the Tiv on the “Hamlet” Meaning Laura Bohannan believed that the universality of Shakespeare would be clear to everyone but she realized that cultural differences could provide new insights.
What Do Hamlet and Oedipus Have in Common? Hamlet by Shakespeare has similar elements in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. This essay aims to show the common features of Oedipus and Hamlet, the main characters of eponymous plays.
Analysis of Hamlet Passage by William Shakespeare A passage from the second scene of the second act reveals essential facts about Hamlet’s character and has impressive diction, syntax, and imagery.
Hamlet’s Relationship With Gertrude Hamlet’s conflict with Gertrude, his mother, reflects the difference in views between them and the young prince’s desire for imaginary ideals amid royal intrigue.
The Character of Hamlet’s Mother This paper discusses the Heirbruns and Maxwell’s articles about Gertrud and two different outlooks on the character traits of Gertrud in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet and His Self-Destructive Temper This essay discusses Hamlet’s temperament as his problem and shows how such a temper is not only self-destructive but how it affects society at large.
Is Shakespearean Hamlet’s Madness Feigned? Hamlet is a tragedy play written by Williams Shakespeare; it is set in Denmark during unsettled times. It was revealed to the young prince.
Hamlet’s Letter to a Friend This document contains a letter from the first person of Hamlet to Cornelius from the famous play by William Shakespeare “Hamlet”.
Importance of Female Characters in Hamlet In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, there are two major female characters, whose relationships with Hamlet play a role in understanding the ambiguous position of women.
Father-Son Relationship in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Play The paper states that Hamlet’s struggle emanates from the death of his father. Although he becomes a villain at some point, he remained steadfast.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare: Summary of the Play The play begins with Prince Hamlet going back home for his father’s funeral. Hamlet swears to avenge his father’s death.
Revenge in the Play “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” Hamlet is a character used in the play, Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, to depict the theme of revenge. The paper argues that Hamlet avenges for the murder of his father.
Analysis of “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare Shakespeare’s Hamlet has attracted abiding interest due to its aesthetics and the exceptional complexity of the author’s masterpiece.
The Power Concept in Hamlet by Shakespeare In the dramatic tragedy Hamlet by William Shakespeare, power can be portrayed as the theme that drives the play.
Why Hamlet by Shakespeare Delays Revenge Shakespeare gives Hamlet an essential sense of reflection and compassion, giving him time to reflect on the need for revenge.
Art of Drama Through the Shakespear’s ‘Hamlet’ This writing provides information about the theme of drama in the Shakespear’s ‘Hamlet’, discusses a well-structured plot, characterization of Hamlet and Laertes.
Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras: The Theme of Vendetta Hamlet is an outstanding tragedy by William Shakespeare, which is considered an example of skillful language and complicated plot.
“Hamlet” Play and “The Mad Gardener’s Song”: Comparison Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and Lewis Carroll’s The Mad Gardener’s Song are two works that have had a significant literary impact.
Interpersonal & Internal Conflict in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Conflicts are integral parts of our lives, and knowing how to resolve them is one of the essential skills to learn.
The Relevance of “Hamlet” to Contemporary Readers The purpose is to analyze the famous excerpt from “Hamlet”, which begins with the words “To be or not to be” and to dwell upon the way readers can relate to its message.
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Through the Historical Lens The paper states that it is vital to analyze the historical period in which William Shakespeare worked as well as the origin of the Hamlet story.
Imitation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” This paper attempts to imitate the format of soliloquies from William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke” rewrite the story from real life.
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: Analysis Despite the fact that the motive of revenge is the basis for the plot, the theme of mortality, fear of death, and afterlife questions is more revealed in the play.
Hamlet’s Monologue: A Rhetorical Analysis The rhetorical devices used by Shakespeare in the monologue of Hamlet help readers better understand the main character’s uncertainty about his life, death, and revenge.
Rewriting Hamlet by Shakespeare Shakespeare’s Hamlet is an eternal classic played in theaters worldwide and adapted in movies by multiple screenwriters and directors.
Who Showed Greater Resilience: ‘Oedipus’ or Hamlet? Although Oedipus is a Sophocles’ personality in Oedipus rex, Hamlet is the male protagonist in the play Hamlet by Shakespeare; both are tragic personalities in search of reality.
The Play “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” by Shakespeare “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” is Shakespeare’s revenge play, that may be defined as one of the most well-known tragedies in world literature.
The Theme of Loneliness in “Hamlet” and “Odysseus” The theme of loneliness has been explored countless times in numerous works of literature, yet the ones that address the specified issue most authentically are “Hamlet” and “Odysseus”.
Hamlet’s Universality and Contemporary Cultural Discourse Despite the possible arguments surrounding Hamlet, a number of reasons that make it essential for syllabi around the world, particularly in occidental countries, exist.
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: Is He Insane? Hamlet looks like a completely sane and rational although upset young man, there is little doubt that Hamlet is as the sound of mind as most of the rest of the characters.
Adaptations of “Hamlet”: Zeffirelli’s and Doran’s Renditions Studying the film adaptations of “Hamlet” can be engaging for potential future discourse, and for this particular piece, Zeffirelli’s and Doran’s renditions of Hamlet are chosen.
Images of Oedipus, Socrates, and Hamlet in the Interpretation of Tragic Heroes Oedipus, Hamlet, and Socrates are united by firmness, steadfastness of the spirit, thirst for knowledge, and a tragic fate due to predestination and a ‘special destiny.’
“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare: Character of the Ghost Character of the Ghost helps to identify such themes as mortality and revenge and promotes the reader’s tracing of the evolution of other heroes’ attitude toward these concepts.
Claudius as the Main Antagonist in Shakespeare’s Hamlet Even though Claudius is introduced as the main antagonist in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, he possesses several strong qualities.
Oedipus and Hamlet: Review The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast Oedipus and Hamlet. The King of Thebes and the Prince of Denmark have several common features, the first one being their descent.
Oedipus and Hamlet Characters’ Comparison This paper discusses two similarities between Oedipus and Hamlet – they are both consumed with vengeance and suffer from hubris, which leads to their ultimate downfall.
Hamlet as an Enjoyable and Exuberant Play William Shakespeare was a renowned English writer, poet, and dramatist. Shakespeare had a number of plays to his credit.
“Hamlet” by Shakespeare: Scenes Analysis of the Play Critical analysis of the “Ghost Hamlet “ in the play Hamlet by Shakespeare. The most critical criticism is in the nature of the ghost, of the main character’s father.
The Tragedy of Revenge in the “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare One of the most famous plays created by William Shakespeare is Hamlet. The play deals with multiple themes. The issue of revenge is questioned from the point of view of violence.
Dilemmas in Hamlet and The Fall of the House of Usher This paper will explore the character of Hamlet and compare Hamlet’s dilemma to the predicament of the unknown narrator of “The Fall of the House of Usher”.
Ethical Dilemmas in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” Hamlet is William Shakespeare’s tragedy play that was written in the late 14th century. The imagery in this play is both entertaining and creative.
Modern Film Version of “Hamlet” by Shakespeare Various attempts are made to create a modern version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. However, it is also important to retain the original emotional and moral conflicts explored by the author.
Sunjata’s vs. Hamlet’s Literary Works Comparison By comparing and contrasting the major characters of Sunjata and Hamlet, this paper will demonstrate how these works explore themes of power, fate, and revenge in unique ways.
Comparison of Hamlet’s Procrastination and Personal Results: Shakespeare Hamlet by William Shakespeare can be considered a literary character whose procrastination leads to gruesome consequences.
Monologue of Hamlet by William Shakespeare The vital claim of the world-famous monologue in Hamlet is, in concentrated form, that our state is so miserable that entire non-existence would be definitely preferable to it.
“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”: Combination of Conflicting Qualities in the Characters The existence of conflicting characters in “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” helps to understand how good and evil qualities are combined within human beings.
Love vs Fear: The Song of Roland and Hamlet Being loved is better than being feared since love-based actions result in healthier things; being happy, peace and security are some of the consequences of love.
The Nature of Revenge Prior to and After the Creation of Hamlet This proposal will compare and contrast human understanding of the nature of revenge prior to and after the creation of Hamlet.
Themes in Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Hamlet” Hamlet is one of the most significant works by Shakespeare. The author considers various important issues and this makes the play so influential.
The Novel “Don Quixote” by de Cervantes and the Play “Hamlet” by Shakespeare This paper presents the comparative analysis of the novel “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes and the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare.
Madness of Ophelia in “Hamlet” by Shakespeare The paper states that in the tragedy “Hamlet,” Ophelia is a special character who causes much admiration and compassion, yet is a very controversial figure.
Thematic Significance of the Image in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” The variety of well-known images that Shakespeare presents in Hamlet reflects the genius of the playwright and the demand for his play in the modern world.
Concept of Power in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Henry IV Plays The current essay discusses the concept of power in Hamlet and Henry IV, Part 2, demonstrating that wielding power requires notable character and a vigorous heart.
The Plays “Oedipus Tyrannus” by Sophocles and “Hamlet” by Shakespeare This essay discusses the characters development techniques in the plays “Oedipus Tyrannus” by Sophocles and “Hamlet” by Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet vs. Sophocles’ Oedipus The aim of this paper is to compare Hamlet’s and Oedipus’s resilience in the plays “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare and “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles.
Oedipus, the King and Hamlet: Analysis Belonging to entirely different cultures and addressing quite different social and psychological issues, “Oedipus, the King” and “Hamlet” might seem quite distant from each other.
Oedipus Rex and Hamlet: Compare and Contrast Oedipus Rex and Hamlet, both show outstanding resilience in their desire to help others and disclose the truth that is hidden.
Finding Strength While Searching for the Truth: Hamlet and Oedipus Hamlet and Oedipus’s characters serve as an example of what a quest for truth can lead to and how differently the process of discovering a secret story might be.
Shakesperian Literature: Hamlet’s Character in Act 2 Shakespeare uses Hamlet to demonstrate the primordial link between stage performance of plays and real-life scenarios.
The Tragedy “Hamlet” by Shakespeare: Evidence of Religious Beliefs This paper aims at proving that the characters of the tragedy “Hamlet” by Shakespeare are believers and that they evaluate their actions based on their faith.
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Gertrude William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is one of the most known tragedies in the English literature, while Hamlet himself is an illustrative example of a turbulent mind.
Character Comparison: “Odyssey”, “Scarlett Latter,” “Troy,” “Hamlet” The paper compares the heroes from Homer’s “Odyssey”, Hawthorne’s “Scarlett Latter” and characters from Hollywood movies “Troy” and “Hamlet”.
Modern Take on Hamlet: King Cornelius’s Monologue In a dimly lit room, a dark figure of King Claudius occupies a large sofa. He occasionally stands up and walks across the room, his appearance disheveled, and they look exhausted.
Actor’s Character Development in “Hamlet” Play As the play Hamlet is based on conflicts, it is necessary to show how the main character faces difficulties and different challenges created by the fortune.
The Murder in the Play “Hamlet” Hamlet is a play with a strong focus on interpersonal relationships. Most of the pivotal events revolve around the friends and family of Hamlet, specifically, their involvement in the murder.
The Play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, presents an enthralling view on lunacy and the individual mind. It presents a sharp contrast when comparing two characters, Hamlet and Ophelia.
Upsetting the Social Order During “Hamlet” Created Disruption
What Makes Hamlet Such a Complex Character?
How the Play “Hamlet” Portrays Shakespeare’s Ingenuity as a Literary Artist
Manipulation and the Use of the Art of Acting in “Hamlet”, a Play by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and Its Classical Tragedy Elements
William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and the Mental Changes Ophelia Undergoes
The Inner Conflicts and Introspective Attitude in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
“Hamlet”: Character Analysis and Outstanding Features of the Author’s Style
Church Corruption and Lutheranism in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
How Does Shakespeare Use Linguistic and Dramatic Devices to Introduce the Character of Hamlet?
Prince “Hamlet” and Ophelia: Intricate and Often Confusing Relationship
“Hamlet”: Does Shakespeare Have a Profound Dislike of Women?
Hamlet’s Transformation From Good to Evil in Shakespeare’s Ham
Reality, Illusion, Appearance, and Deception in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Dysfunctional Families and the Inadequate Role Played by Parents in “Hamlet”
Hamlet Comparing the Dissimilar Characters of Gertrude and Ophelia
Differences Between Hamlet’s Mental and Emotional Conflicts
Hamlet’s Interaction With Other Characters of the Play as a Path to Better Understanding of His Character
Hamlet’s Depression and Its Impact in Decision-Making in “Hamlet”, a Play by William Shakespeare
How Does Shakespeare Present Women and Sex in “Hamlet”?
Death, Illness, and Decay in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Classical and Renaissance Paradigms of Heroism in “Hamlet”
“Hamlet”, Moral Truths, Redemption, and a Just Society
How Does Hamlet React to His Momentous Decision and What Does He Risk to Save Himself From His Ideas
“Hamlet”, His Psychological Estrangement Fueled This Tragedy
The Human Condition and Ideologies in “Hamlet” by Willliam Shakespeare
Hamlet’s Capacity for Self-Sacrifice in the Face of Compelling Circumstances
How Does Shakespeare Present Issues About Revenge and Madness in “Hamlet”
Does Hamlet Fabricate the Conversation With the Ghost?
The Reasons for the Delayed Revenge of Hamlet in the Tragedy of “Hamlet”, a Play by William Shakespeare
The Reasoning and Decisions of Hamlet in the Tragedy of “Hamlet” a Play by William Shakespeare
Did HamletCommit Suicide or Was He Murdered in William Shakespeare’s Tragedy
Analysis of Shakespeare’s Use of Soliloquy in Presenting the Developing Character of “Hamlet”
Elizabethan’s Laws Against Perpetrators of Suicide in “Hamlet” by William
Betrayal, Vengeance, and Procrastination in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
Means and Ends: How “Hamlet’s Supposed Insanity Justifies and Masks His True Goal of Revenge
Disease, Sickness, Death, and Decay in “Hamlet”
How Does Hamlet and Ophelia’s Relationship Evolves Throughout the Play of “Hamlet”?
Body Politic and the Final Scene of “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
The Sexist Attitude and Characterization of Women in “Hamlet”, a Play by William Shakespeare
Deception, Murder and Love in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
The Ideas and Themes Indicated in the First Three Scenes of “Hamlet” That You Find Particularly Interesting
Hamlet and His Madness as a Psychoanalytical Depiction
Cultural and Religious Beliefs Driving the Action in “Hamlet”
Hamlet and Shakespeare’s Perceptions of Human Behavior
Darkest Sins and Heavenly Shows: The Nature of Iago’s Villainy in Shakespear’s “Hamlet”
Hamlet’s and Laertes’ Revenge: Which One Seems More Justified
Christian Morals Versus Barbaric Customs in “Hamlet”
How Does Shakespeare Use Conflict in “Hamlet” as a Way of Exploring Ideas?
William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and Deadly Character Flaws
Hamlet’s Antic Disposition and Its Impact in Shakespeare’s Play “Hamlet”
Gender Roles and Attitudes Toward Love in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Contrasting William Shakespeare’s Play “Hamlet” With Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 Film
Why Did “Hamlet” Wait Too Long to Avenge His Father’s Death?
Hamlet, the Machiavellian Prince: An Exploration of Shakespeare’s Use of Machiavellian Politics
“Hamlet”: Hamlet’s Greatest Crime Was His Inherent Goodness
Evil for Evil’s Sake: An Analysis of the Nature of Evil in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
The Mysterious Murder Case in the Play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
Gertrude, Claudius, and Hamlet: Various Perspectives of Death
Hamlet and Trifles: Aspects of the Past Relevant to the Present
Examining Queen Gertrude’s Innocence in Shakespeare’s Play, “Hamlet”
William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and Deception, Poison, and Disease
King Claudius’s Character Development and Transformation in “Hamlet”
Disillusionment, Depression, and Despair in the Play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
How Ophelia Was Manipulated by the Men in Her Life in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
Why Does Hamlet Use His Madness to Confuse People?
“Everyman” and Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” – Comparing the Medieval World View to the Modern
Does Hamlet’s Attitude Towards His Mother in General Solely Contribute to the Tragedy of the Play, or Is It Just on of Many Contributing Factors
Love and Hate Within the Family in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Claudius’ Role and Personality in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
The Relationship Between the Main and the Lesser Characters in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
The Three Issues That Caused the Internal Struggle and Passive Response of Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
Hamlet Discloses His True Feelings in a Play by William Shakespeare
What Is the Main Topic of Hamlet’s “To Be or Not to Be” Soliloquy?
Why Is “Hamlet” Considered Shakespeare’s Best Play?
Is the Madness of Hamlet Real or Feigned?
What Is the Moral of “Hamlet”?
What Is the Meaning of ‘Can Tell a Hawk From a Handsaw’ in “Hamlet”?
What Makes Hamlet Such a Compelling Character?
What Are Some Important Themes From Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”?
What Are Some Examples of Corruption and Decay in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”?
Would Hamlet Have Been an Effective Ruler and a Good King?
How Does “Hamlet” Relate to the Elizabethan Era?
Why Is Play “Hamlet” Still Relevant and Popular Today?
What Central Question Does “Hamlet” Raise?
What Does “Hamlet” Teach Us About Humanity?
Why Hamlet Would Be Considered a Depressed King?
What Are Dramatic Structures and Themes of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”?
How Duality and Appearance vs Reality Themes Are Imaged in “Hamlet”?
What Role Does Religion Play in “Hamlet”?
How Important Is the Theme of Having a Clear Conscience in “Hamlet”?
How Shakespeare Presents the Female Characters in “Hamlet”?
What Are the External and Internal Conflicts in “Hamlet”?
Why Does Hamlet Delay So Long in Following the Ghosts?
Why “Hamlet” Would Have Been Loved by Aristotle?
How Does “Hamlet” Represent the Human Condition?
What Does It Mean to Be a Complex Human Being in “Hamlet”?
What Are Some Historical Events That Influenced Shakespeare to Write “Hamlet”?

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These essay examples and topics on Hamlet were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 8, 2024 .

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Hamlet Essays

I. Introduction Hamlet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1600 or 1601. It is often considered his supreme achievement, and one of the world’s greatest tragedies. Considered as one of the greatest of Shakespeare’s tragedies, Hamlet is also one of the best-known plays in world...

1 111 words

Grammaticus The problems related to the origin and sources of Hamlet are no less contentious and inconclusive than the philosophical, moral and structural problems traditionally associated with the play. The present day iconic status of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ often obscures the...

2 875 words

Q1) The character of Claudius can be recognized as the major antagonist in the play. Traits such as being cleverly evil, lustful, and conniving were the factors that won him the crown as the King of Denmark. As a king, Claudius focused on protecting his throne from being relinquished from him. He...

1 028 words

Shakespeare's characterization of Gertrude and Ophelia in Hamlet is paradoxical as it challenges as well as complements the contemporary social traditions and norms. Gertrude is the best example of this paradox that is manifested through her extraordinary supremacy over all the major characters of...

Hamlet is a character with whom most of us could relate not only because of his imperfections but also because of his insecurities. He is imperfect, he has his insecurities, but what is most remarkable in him is his goodness of heart which makes it very difficult for him to think ill of other...

1 569 words

I) Introduction A. Hamlet is the direct cause of the tragedy i. Charnes; “Hamlet Without Hamlet.” II) First appearance of Hamlet A. Hamlet’s lack of a sense of purpose B. Hamlet’s attempt to relieve his melancholy i. Udo and Fels; "’Suit the Action to the Word, the Word to the Action’: An...

1 780 words

Isabella is a woman with a seemingly over pious regard to herself and her virginity, placing the same over an individual’s life and liberty. This is made evident in her statement “Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: More than our brother is our chastity (Measure for measure...

William Shakespeare is perhaps best known for being the father of plays. Of all playwrights, none can compare to Shakespeare’s style, creativity, and wit. A great example would be Hamlet which could perhaps be viewed as the best of all his plays. The lines of the play have been remembered in the...

2 243 words

Introduction When discussing “Hamlet”, whether in casual company, stage production or academic study, the conversation can quite literally go in a million different directions. Widely regarded as Shakepeare’s most complex play, Hamlet can in fact be deeply examined and extensively interpreted...

Aristotle has written numerous treatises about a variety of topics, one of which is his treatise on Poetics. In this treatise he discusses poetry and the construction of epics, but the treatise focuses heavily on the creation and the definition of a tragedy, especially on the development of the...

1 644 words

There are a number of reasons why Hamlet has remained a classic and one of these reasons is because of the great characterization that Shakespeare uses in the creation of his characters. It is because of these characters that the play comes alive and the reason why the audience is able to laugh...

It is chiefly character that is responsible for the tragic fate of the hero, but a Shakespearean tragedy also arouses a feeling that there is a mysterious power in this universe, whom we may call Fate or Destiny or Providence that operates in the universe and is responsible for the manner in which...

1 869 words

1. Hamlet, one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies possesses an intense environment of uncertainty. This sense of “uncertainty” is governed primarily by the indecision and hesitation demonstrated by the protagonist, Hamlet, the prince of Denmark. He is always in two minds and cannot seem...

William Shakespeare once said that “action is eloquence”. Hamlet finds it easy to make a choice to avenge his father’s death, but is unable to execute this choice. Hamlet’s choices and inconsistencies in carrying them out is what will lead to multiple tragedies and ultimately, his redemption...

The 1996 film version of Hamlet directed and starred in by Kenneth Branagh in the title role is a faithful adaptation of William Shakespeare’s famous play. The exposition of the plot occupies the first few minutes of the story. It begins with the appearance of a ghost to the castle guards. This...

Hamlet is a well known character in the body of works of Shakespeare. The soliloquy signifies the derailed and arguments of a wearied soul trying to explain life and the consequences of hardships of thoughts' impacts on decision makings throughout life which end with the beginning of death and the...

1 276 words

Introduction In order to understand the role of the rites in Hamlet, one must conceptualize the ritual. The rites in Hamlet concern mainly marriage, mourning and funeral. It is crucial to distinguish their specific nature to detect how they participate in the tragedy. Arnold van Gennep identified...

2 602 words

The first soliloquy of Hamlet occurs (act I, scene ii, lines 129-59) after the King and the Queen have urged Hamlet in the open court to cast off the deep melancholy which, as they think, has taken possession of him as a consequence of his father’s death. In this soliloquy, Hamlet reveals the...

1 472 words

Introduction Every emotion and feeling of human beings is captured by literary works such as stories, novels and poems. The characters, plot and themes in the stories and novels bring forth the varied emotions experienced by human beings. Two such stories which focus on the feelings and emotions...

This student owes a great deal of intellectual debt to Louise Cowans thanks in great part to the theoretical criticism the author expressed in her introduction to The Comic Terrain. An example of the brilliance of her critical theory is found in an extended quotation from the work’s introduction...

2 026 words

The dilemma about the intrinsical meaning of the story about the Prince of Denmark is a perturbing issue of discussion. Question about whether Hamlet feels affection to Ophelia is still not answered because the author uses various evasive situations when readers get more and more confused. Those...

The significant tragedy “Hamlet” violates the eternal problems. Those problems are connected with the contradiction between action and ideal, the role of personality in the history of humanity, the meaning of the life of each person, with justice, revenge, betrayal, love, friendship...

Hamlet’s different perspectives of death Death is perceived as different things according to different people. In William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” the title character, Hamlet openly expresses his opinion of death through the various acts he commits and the things he says...

Shakespeare’s early 17th century revenge tragedy “Hamlet” is shaped by our understanding that knowledge of its contextual milieu develops an appreciation for the play’s timeless resonance. We also recognize the play’s textual integrity allows Shakespeare to explore...

Both Hamlet and Frankenstein deal with the concept of revenge. In a well-organized essay discuss the importance of revenge as a central theme in either Frankenstein OR Hamlet . Avoid mere plot summary. You must provide strong textual references to support your ideas. The revenge theme came in both...

“THE DEAD AMONGST THE LIVING” IN HAMLET AND FRANKENSTEIN William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet and Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein are challenging literary works that both have the same theme about the dead amongst the living. Both protagonists Hamlet and Victor Frankenstein...

2 140 words

Female voices in classic literature are rarely allowed to be heard as they should, especially in a society like Shakespeare’s, where women are expected to make children and hot meals and not much more than that. While Shakespeare does take drastic steps forward in allowing such prominent...

Harold Bloom says the genius of Shakespeare is that “Characters develop rather than unfold, and they develop because they reconceive themselves” (The Invention of the Human XVII). Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, shows the development of Hamlet within the land of Denmark. Hamlet...

1 420 words

English 30-1 Hamlet Personal Response March 21 2013 Final Draft Interior Monologue My uncle is dead. Along with everyone else I love and the people they care about. My mother Gertrude, Ophelia, Laertes, and their father Polonius. Dead and gone to heaven forever. I finally killed Claudius! He has...

Hamlet: Response To Literature Taking place in Elsinore, Denmark Hamlet by Williams Shakespeare is a remarkable play where love and madness co-exist in an all-out war between family and friends. For many years, literature scholars have viewed Hamlet’s themes in many ways and forms. I intend...

Guidelines for Writing A Great Hamlet Analysis Essay

To enhance the independent work of students and the development of public speaking skills, many teachers resort to such a form of knowledge control as an essay. This type of activity can be attributed to small written works. The essay in its volume is significantly inferior to the thesis since it is usually related to a specific subject under study and includes an analysis of a limited number of concepts considered during training.

Writing a literary essay is usually based on an analysis of a literary text. Sometimes it’s difficult for students to complete this assignment, but at any time they can contact professionals, such as WriteMyPaper4Me , and get a stellar paper! However, it is very important to learn to overcome such difficulties and to complete an essay without any help. Below we will give you recommendations for writing a great Hamlet analysis essay.

5 Key Writing Tips

As it is known, Hamlet has long been recognized by society as the great eternal image of world literature. The play “Hamlet” became not only the closest story for the reader, literary and theatrical critics, actors and directors, but acquired the significance of a text-generating work of art. The eternal image of the doubting Hamlet inspired a whole string of writers who, one way or another, used his character traits in their literary works.

In order to conduct a good literary analysis of the protagonist and the novel as a whole, and as a result, write an excellent essay, the author should take into account the following recommendations:

Define the structure of your paper. As a rule, an essay consists of three main structural elements: introduction, main part, and conclusion;
In the introduction a narrator should point the topic, highlight the main issues that need to be considered;
In the main part, it is advisable to represent a system of argumentation based on a deep study of the play. You should put forward new different ideas in a logical sequence, which will enable the reader to trace the direction of your answer. For the convenience of presentation and clarity of the logic of each argument, evidence, and statement, the main content is divided into paragraphs or sections that may have independent subheadings;
The conclusion is the last basic element of an essay. The writer usually represents here a summary of basic ideas;
When checking the work, it is necessary first of all to pay attention to whether the ideas are arranged in a logical order. Usually, each paragraph of the main text should contain no more than one idea in question. In addition, it is important to check each sentence of the work for errors, as a good knowledge of the language should be demonstrated in the essay.

We hope our tips will help you to write a Hamlet analysis essay at the highest level!

Combine all five tips to write the perfect Hamlet analysis essay.

Pinterest 0

PRINCE HAMLET →

“I shall win at the odds.”

KING CLAUDIUS →

“He is justly served … a poison tempered by himself”

QUEEN GERTRUDE →

“What devil was’t … That thus hath cozened you at hoodman-blind?”

OPHELIA →

“Of ladies most deject and wretched … I cannot choose but weep.”

HAMLET AND THE GHOST →

“Remember me … Rest, rest, perturbed spirit!”

HAMLET AND CLAUDIUS →

“Thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane.”

HAMLET AND GERTRUDE →

“Go not to mine uncle’s bed.”

HAMLET AND OPHELIA →

“The canker galls the infants of the spring.”

HAMLET AND HORATIO →

“Those friends thou hast …”

CLAUDIUS AND GERTRUDE →

“My uncle-father and aunt-mother.”

THE MAIN THEMES OF HAMLET →

“Purposes mistook / Fallen on th’inventor’s heads.”

THEME OF REVENGE →

“Show yourself in deed your father’s son.”

THEME OF APPEARANCE VERSUS REALITY →

“Who’s there? … Stand and unfold yourself.”

THEME OF MADNESS →

“Howsoever thou pursuest this act, / Taint not thy mind.”

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Write your best Hamlet essay with these 42 model essays. Ebook ($9.99) and Paperback ($19.99) on Amazon. Author: Brendan Munnelly. ISBN: 1980540519.

Characters

#1: Prince Hamlet
#2: King Claudius
#3: Queen Gertrude
#4: Ophelia

Relationships

#5: Hamlet and the Ghost
#6: Hamlet and Claudius
#7: Hamlet and Gertrude
#8: Hamlet and Ophelia
#9: Hamlet and Horatio
#10: Claudius and Gertrude

Themes

#11: Main Themes
#12: Revenge
#13: Appearance Versus Reality
#14: Madness

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Hamlet : Model Essays for Students

Paperback and ebook.

Inspiration for exam success: 42 easy-to-read, 1,500-word sample essays on Shakespeare’s Hamlet . Covers characters, relationships, and themes.

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Check out the free essay samples below.

Hamlet Sample Essays: Characters

King Claudius deceives everyone—except Prince Hamlet. Queen Gertrude deceives only herself. From Elsinore’s maddening world of deception and betrayal, Ophelia sees only one route of escape.

Character Analysis of Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#1: The Character of Hamlet

Born a prince, parented by a jester, haunted by a ghost, destined to be killed for killing a king, and remembered as the title character of a play he did not want to be in. If at the cost of his life, Hamlet does in the end “win at the odds. ”

READ FREE SAMPLE ESSAY >

#2: The Character of Claudius

His “ambition ” for Denmark’s crown leads him to commit one murder only to find that he must plot a second to cover up the first. When this plan fails, his next scheme leads to the death of the woman he loves followed by his own.

Character Analysis of Gertrude in Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#3: The Character of Gertrude

“Have you eyes? ”, Prince Hamlet demands of his mother. Gertrude‘s “o’erhasty marriage ” dooms her life and the lives of everyone around her when her wished-for, happy-ever-after fairytale ends in a bloodbath.

Character Analysis of Ophelia in Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#4: The Character of Ophelia

As she struggles to respond to the self-serving purposes of others, Ophelia’s sanity collapses in Elsinore’s “unweeded garden ” of falsity and betrayal. Her “self-slaughter” is her revenge for her silencing and humiliation.

Hamlet Sample Essays: Relationships

The “mirth in funeral” union of Claudius and Gertrude means another marriage can never happen. In the “unweeded garden” of Elsinore, the unwed couple of Hamlet and Ophelia are united only in death.

Relationship of Hamlet and the Ghost: Read Free Sample Essays

#5: Relationship of Hamlet and the Ghost

Hamlet grants the Ghost the atonement his suffering soul needed more than the revenge he demanded: he surrenders Denmark to the son of the man murdered by his father on the day of the prince’s birth.

Relationship of Hamlet and Claudius: Read Free Sample Essays

#6: Relationship of Hamlet and Claudius

Uncle and nephew are two men at war with each other—and themselves. Claudius is haunted by the murder he has committed ( “O heavy burden!” ); Hamlet by the one he hasn’t yet ( “Am I a coward?” ).

Relationship of Hamlet and Gertude: Read Free Sample Essays

#7: Relationship of Hamlet and Gertrude

A haunted-by-the-past Hamlet seeks the truth about his father’s death ( “Do you see nothing there?” ). A live-in-the-present Gertrude seeks to protect her second husband and crown ( “No, nothing but ourselves” ).

Relationship of Hamlet and Ophelia: Read Free Sample Essays

#8: Relationship of Hamlet and Ophelia

Their relationship begins in uncertainty, descends into mutual deceit and rejection, and ends with their double surrender to death: Ophelia, to the water; Hamlet, to Claudius’ rigged fencing duel.

Relationship of Hamlet and Horatio: Read Free Sample Essays

#9: Relationship of Hamlet and Horatio

“Those friends thou hast … Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel.” Horatio is Hamlet’s trusted confidant in life and vows to remain the keeper of his memory after the prince’s death.

Relationship of Claudius and Gertrude in Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#10: Relationship of Claudius and Gertrude

A marriage of mutual self-interest: Claudius wanted to become king; Gertrude wanted to remain queen. In the end, both die by the same poison her second husband used to murder her first.

Hamlet Sample Essays: Themes

In “purposes mistook” conflicts between revenge and justice, acceptance and action, and remembering and forgetting, all the characters’ “deep plots” rebound on their “inventors’ heads.”

Main Themes of Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#11: Main Themes of Hamlet

A king murdered, an inheritance stolen, a family divided: Elsinore’s older generation destroys its younger when two brothers—one living, one undead—battle in a “cursed spite” over a crown and a queen.

Theme of Revenge in Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#12: The Theme of Revenge

Hamlet and Laertes journey from revenge, through obsession and anger, to forgiveness. And the revenge sought by the Ghost on King Claudius becomes the revenge of Old King Fortinbras on Old King Hamlet.

Themes of Deception and Appearance versus Reality in Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#13: Deception and Appearance versus Reality

“Who’s there?” The characters struggle to distinguish between truth and falsehood in a play-long triple pun on the verb ‘to act’: to take action, to behave deceitfully, and to perform in theater.

Theme of Madness in Hamlet: Read Free Sample Essays

#14: The Theme of Madness

“Your noble son is mad” , Polonius tells Denmark’s king and queen. But is Hamlet ever really insane? If not, why is he pretending to be? And is the prince’s “antic disposition” the cause of Ophelia’s traumatic breakdown?

Write your best Hamlet essay

Use these 42 model Hamlet essays as:

Building blocks to help you organize and structure your own personal response to the characters, relationships and themes of Hamlet .
Starting points for you to express, in your individual writing style, your own thoughts about Shakespeare’s most celebrated but also most challenging play.

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Hamlet Character Analysis

Categories: Hamlet

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 612 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Introduction, motivations and ambivalence, identity and madness, morality and conscience, impact on the narrative.

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Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Stop trying to make language ‘funner.’ Grammar rules exist for a reason.

Anne curzan’s book ‘says who’ goes too far in renouncing the fundamental rules of language usage.

Because my no-nonsense mother habitually said “He don’t” and “She don’t,” and my moody steelworker father never opened a book after he quit school at 16, it may seem surprising that I became a stickler for correct English as well as a serious reader. Or perhaps not. To this day, though, I dislike faddish words, vulgarisms, most slang, weaselly euphemisms, clichés, and prose styles that are overly chummy, preachy or hip. When I write, I do my best to sound grown-up but try not to come across as a bewildered holdover from the 19th century.

So I should have been wary when I picked up Anne Curzan’s “ Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words .” “Funner” provocatively signals that this isn’t a book for someone, like me, who once devoted his days and nights to Robert Graves and Alan Hodge’s “The Reader Over Your Shoulder,” William Strunk and E.B. White’s “The Elements of Style,” Theodore M. Bernstein’s “The Careful Writer,” and William Zinsser’s “On Writing Well.” Instead, “Says Who?” pointedly aims to defuse common anxieties over what is “proper” and “improper” usage.

To do this, Curzan, dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan, contends that virtually every grammar or vocabulary no-no you learned from Miss Thistlebottom is wrong or out of date. In olden days, a grammatical slip was looked on as something shocking, but now, it would seem, almost anything goes. You can use “like” instead of “as” and “as if,” “who” instead of “whom,” even “irregardless,” regardless of the mute scorn of linguistic “grammandos.” For these last, the barbarisms are always at the gates.

Curzan does underscore that context and social situation should always be considered when we write and speak. As my father used to warn me when I was launching into some heated, clearly ill-advised back talk, “Watch your language, boy.” I quickly did, if I knew what was good for me. The same advice, minus the “boy,” is good for anyone. So is adjusting your words to your audience. You don’t write to your boss in the same way you talk to your children or the way you try to chat up an attractive stranger in a bar.

Curzan repeatedly emphasizes that language evolves, that we should welcome change, that new words express new ideas and thoughts. No one would argue otherwise. Yet rules define any game. Without them, games wouldn’t even exist. Similarly, the traditional principles of sentence structure, verb agreement and even spelling ensure effective and clear communication. Grammar helps us to say what we mean and others to know rather than guess what we’re talking about.

In her own prose, Curzan tries hard to downplay any soupçon of the didactic by adopting an up-to-date, friendly cheeriness. For my taste, she goes too far. She loads on the maple syrup, tacitly assuming that no one will pay attention to her linguistic points without a lot of sweetening. Perhaps she’s right, but I find this approach implicitly demeaning. But then, I would probably register somewhere in the middle of what Curzan calls her “crankiness meter.”

I say “middle” because I do agree with Curzan about the importance of what she calls “kinder,” more inclusive language and usage that avoids giving offense. To advocate for such sensitivity is a key purpose of her book. As she notes, it’s one thing to say “How tall is he?” and quite another to ask “How short is he?” Though essentially the same question, one is neutral and the other judgmental.

Yet even if we all need to be more understanding and less captious about some aspects of our changing language, Curzan doesn’t stress strongly enough the consequences of using vulgar, ugly and slovenly English. As with clothes and manners, the issue is what the sociologist Erving Goffman called the presentation of self in everyday life. Miss Eliza Doolittle can testify that if you talk like a Cockney flower girl, the world will regard you as a Cockney flower girl, but if you talk like a duchess, it will treat you as one. Fundamentally, you may be as gentle and sensitive as Saint Francis of Assisi, but if your English is loose, ungrammatical and crude, or alternatively if it’s pretentious, circumlocutory and condescending, people will think you are either stupid or a pompous blowhard. It’s hard to undo the effects of first impressions.

Verbal tics are particularly insidious. If you continually use “like” in, like, every other sentence you, like, say, it will not only drive others crazy but also brand you as essentially ditsy. If you regularly resort to prefabricated idioms — such as “at the end of the day,” “drain the swamp” or “on the same page” — you aren’t really thinking; your mind has simply turned on the cruise control.

To my old-fashioned mind, the adult use of street lingo, locker room demotic or teen slang, coupled with a lax attitude toward traditional grammar, often indicates a somewhat pathetic nostalgie de la boue. The poor and marginalized are thought to be more genuine, more vital, more imaginative than the dull middle class and the etiolated rich. It’s pretty to think so. However, my parents knew that sounding uneducated, ungrammatical or illiterate isn’t funner; it makes you a figure of fun. The world belongs to those who are taken seriously.

When I was young, I didn’t want to be regarded as a yokel, and that meant avoiding the yokelisms spoken all around me. Through language — that is, through reading, writing and speech — I hoped to better myself. I listened to recordings of Richard Burton and John Gielgud reciting poetry, Vincent Price and Basil Rathbone reading Poe’s short stories. At about the age of 14, I even unearthed a Victorian translation of Demosthenes’ orations and — this is absolutely true — was soon declaiming them to a bathroom’s tiled walls, sometimes following the ancient Greek’s training method by placing a few pebbles in my mouth. When Benjamin Franklin in his autobiography and Somerset Maugham in “The Summing Up” extolled the prose of the 18th century, I paid attention. Addison, Voltaire and Swift — these were the masters of concision, clarity, elegance and wit. I adopted these classical ideals as my own, though part of me has always secretly hankered to write with the baroque grandeur and all-stops-out organ roll of Sir Thomas Browne, Robert Burton and Jeremy Taylor.

Effective prose, in truth, doesn’t resemble conversation. It’s more like sculpting with clay. You start with an inchoate mass, shape it a bit, hate the result, start over, try this, try that, give up, slink away in disgust, come back, work some more and eventually end up with something that looks vaguely like a pot or an essay. Above all, though, as my favorite ghost story author, Vernon Lee, observed in “The Handling of Words,” the craft of the writer consists “in manipulating the contents of the Reader’s mind.” She added that “construction” — and that includes word choice — “means thinking out the results of every movement you set up in the Reader’s mind, how that movement will work into, help, or mar the other movements which you have set up there already, or which you will require to set up there in the future.”

To communicate ideas effectively, clarity must always remain paramount, but that doesn’t preclude an occasional rhetorical flourish or madcap turn of phrase. Nonetheless, tread carefully: Flashy prose, slang and pop references will sound hokey and dated in 20 years. That groovy Beat poetry, man, you can still dig it, though you really need to have bongos. Tom Wolfe’s Kandy-Kolored, Tangerine-Flaked, over-the-top style now screams “It’s the Age of Aquarius!” While it’s essential to write for one’s own time, a more restrained diction can often result in a longer shelf life for even supposedly deathless prose.

Still, avoiding mass-speak doesn’t mean you should go panting after show-offy, recherché diction. Anyone can use a thesaurus. Except under highly specialized circumstances, most of which are hard to imagine, never, ever use “sockdolager,” “rupestrian,” “solatium” or “gallinaceous” in a sentence. All these, by the way, were recently emailed to me from a website called Word Genius. I’ve already forgotten what they mean.

Polonius once asked Hamlet, “What do you read, my lord?” To which the melancholy Dane answered, “Words, words, words.” Anne Curzan and I both love the English language, she being more accepting of the new, while I instinctively value established grammar and usage as bulwarks against confusion, not a set of fetters that bind us. We both agree that people’s use of English brings consequences, often unforeseen and unintended. All of us, then, need to choose our words wisely. But which ones? “That,” as Hamlet once also said, “is the question.”

A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words

By Anne Curzan

Crown. 336 pp. $29

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Shakespeare: Hamlet Essay

Introduction.

The play Hamlet depicts a tragedy written by the author in the period between 1599 and 1601 (Shmoop 1). The story of the play is about the prince Hamlet whose father was the king of Denmark. The king was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle Claudius who also married Hamlet’s mother Gertrude. The play is centered on Hamlet’s anxiety and indecision on how to avenge his father’s death.

Following his father’s death news emerges of a ghost that roams the castles battlements that looks a lot like the dead king. Hamlet hurries to meet the ghost and receives news that his father was murdered by Claudius who poisoned him while he was sleeping (Shmoop 3). The ghost orders young Hamlet to remember him through seeking revenge for his untimely death. In response to this, Hamlet devises a plan to act like a madman while scheming to avenge his father’s death.

With the intention of ascertaining whether the ghost is telling the truth, Hamlet decides to make a play in which a king is murdered in the exact fashion his father was killed. As he continues with the preparations he often plays the madman throwing wild accusations to all women. He even suggests committing suicide in a speech to further convince his audience of his insanity (Shmoop 3). Upon watching the play his uncle admits guilt for the crime and Hamlet decides to kill him to avenge his father’s death (Shmoop 5).

The scene that is the subject of this report refers to a scene in the play that takes place at the graveyard following the death of Ophelia (Shmoop 23). In this scene the author depicts Hamlet’s observations on life from the perspective of the grave. In light of the events that unfold at the graveyard Hamlet encounters the skull of a childhood accomplice and is forced to stare death in the face as he reminisces on his childhood.

It may even be argued that events that surround the scene play a significant role in the actions that preceded it and those that will follow. In this report an analysis will be presented of this scene and how it was affected by previous actions and how it affects scenes that follow in the play.

As it has been mentioned the scene in the graveyard is the result of the death of Ophelia. In earlier scenes of the play we are introduced to Ophelia who is a sister to a young lord known as Laertes (Shmoop 7). The images in this scene indicate a strong relationship to what preceded due to the fact that the young lady’s death was the result of an accident that resulting from hamlet’s plot in the play. It has been established that the murder of her father that prompted her suicide was an accident as hamlet intended to murder King Claudius.

It appears that Ophelia’s adamant position following her brother’s censure and father’s advice may have prompted her hasty decision to take her own life (Shmoop 7). This point is based on evidence of her father’s address following his intervention on a discussion between Ophelia and her brother.

It is therefore possible to assume that her disappointment overwhelmed her given that both her loved ones had warned her about hamlet. Her eventual suicide that leads to the scene at the grave suggests she possibly held herself responsible for the death of her father and was tormented by guilt.

This supposed guilt appears to emanate from the scene when Hamlet begins his plan to act mad and bursts into Ophelia’s room startling her in his disheveled state (Shmoop 9). In the confusion Hamlet grabs Ophelia by the wrist and appears to express frustration over love for her. In this scene it is suggested that the young lady was taken by feelings of love suggested by hamlet.

It is evident given that both the father and daughter are both convinced by this display and appear to reconsider their judgment (Shmoop 9). The graveyard scene further draws reminders to the bond between Ophelia and her father given her repeated assurances of her fidelity. The eventual suicide draws us to conclude on the bond between the two that the death of her father so seriously affected.

At this point it is wise to note the accident that leads to the scene in the grave is the result of a failed murder attempt as hamlet finds the King deep in prayer. (Miller & Shakespeare 8). Hamlet is then forced to reconsider his plan and makes a hasty decision to hold on a while before completing his mission.

Following the reconsideration the King instructs his wife to meet hamlet. It was during the meeting that accidentally hamlet stabs Polonius and prompts Ophelia’s death (Miller & Shakespeare 8). Based on the events in this scene it is clear to see the significant role they play in the drama as a series of events unfold soon after. Without the events depicted in this accident scene it is unlikely the graveyard scene would have been included in the play.

The graveyard scene also has a major impact on the events that follow in the play as is seen in the delivery of the news of Polonius death by Gertrude. In the events immediately after receiving news of her father’s death and Hamlets departure Ophelia goes insane and commits suicide. The news of Ophelia’s death is presented to Laertes by Gertrude as an accident but it later emerges that it appears to have been a suicide (Shmoop 23).

It may be suggested that these attempts to shroud the news further aggravate the situation. Already angry her brother promises to revenge the murder and a match to facilitate the murder of hamlet is arranged (Miller & Shakespeare 8). This anger and plans for revenge are all made to appear useless in the graveyard scene which depicts how valueless life becomes after death. Hamlet is shown a head of an old acquaintance and realizes how little value life has after death.

The question of life after death becomes evident as Hamlets sees the gravediggers throw up two skulls as they dig and ponders on the lives of these men. He is astounded by the fact that a man’s life and work come to the exact same thing upon conclusion, nothing (Shmoop 23). It would appear that Hamlet in fact questions the purpose behind his quest given the nature of treatment the dead receive. However, the anger that precedes this scene has already set in motion events that hamlet can no longer avoid.

It would appear the author is throwing a question to the viewer and the scene acts as evidence of the futility of life pursuits. This appears to be depicted when hamlet collects a skull handed to him by the grave digger and is informed the skull belonged to a childhood friend of his father. He remembers the good times he had with him as a child and is astounded by the events that surround death (Shmoop 23).

As already mentioned the anger that precedes the scene plays a major role in the events that follow as Hamlet and Horatio happen upon the grief stricken Laertes and a fight almost ensues (Miller & Shakespeare 8). With Laertes seeking revenge hamlet is left in a position where he must fight to save his own life and avenge his father’s death (Miller & Shakespeare 8).

This is a position that occurs only as a result of the events just before the graveyard scene. In this duel that now must follow both Hamlet and Laertes are mortally wounded. In the process, Hamlet’s mother also dies after mistakenly drinking from a poisoned cup meant for Hamlet (Miller & Shakespeare 8). These deaths all appear the result of events that precede the graveyard scene. In addition to that Hamlet manages to murder King Claudius and avenge his father’s death.

The grave yard scene for this reason appears to play a pivotal role in the play. This is based on the fact that the entire beginning of the play has scenes that direct us toward the scene at the grave and the death of Ophelia.

At the same time the entire play after the graveyard scene is the result of the events that must come to be based on the anger and betrayal that are caused prior to Ophelia’s death. However, it is worth noting that despite these events Hamlet manages to name a successor and is buried with dignity. This can also be related to the grave yard scene given that a decent burial was among the things Hamlet sought when he began to plot revenge.

Works Cited

Miller, Joanne K. and William Shakespeare. Hamlet . Printed in the USA, Research & Education Association, 2002. Print.

Shmoop. Hamlet . Printed in the USA, Shmoop University Inc., 2010. Print.

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How Postwar Paris Changed the Expat Artists

An exhibition at the Grey Art Museum explores the fervid postwar scene in Paris, where Ellsworth Kelly, Joan Mitchell and others learned lessons America couldn’t teach them.

A sculpture that incorporates various metals, including pieces from a trumpet, and a circular photograph of Billie Holiday atop.

By Karen Rosenberg

Most people looking to make it as artists today are advised to follow a hyper-professionalized path, beginning with enrollment at one of a select group of M.F.A. programs. But as a new exhibition reminds us, it wasn’t always this way. “Americans in Paris: Artists Working in Postwar France, 1946-1962,” at the Grey Art Museum at N.Y.U., celebrates the convivial, informal and often self-directed education of expatriates in the French capital after World War II.

“Americans in Paris” inaugurates the university’s relocated and renamed art space; it has moved from Washington Square, where it was known as the Grey Art Gallery, several blocks east, to Cooper Square.

The show devotes a lot of scholarly attention to a slice of art history — abstract painting in Western Europe in the 1950s and ’60s — that is not exactly understudied. And it arrives at a moment when the 2024 Venice Biennale, “Foreigners Everywhere,” is advancing a very different idea of the expatriate (with a focus on the Global South, and on queer and Indigenous artists). The exhibit’s title inevitably brings to mind the classic 1951 Vincente Minnelli film, “ An American in Paris ,” starring Gene Kelly as a World War II veteran turned painter, whose dancing and wooing prove to be more accomplished than his brushwork.

But within familiar terrain, the show (organized by the Grey’s director, Lynn Gumpert, with the independent curator Debra Bricker Balken) finds new voices and perspectives. Among its 70 artists are a number who have been receiving overdue attention from the academy and the market (including Ed Clark , Beauford Delaney and Shirley Jaffe ), and a couple of others who haven’t been but should be (foremost among them the sculptor Shinkichi Tajiri ).

At heart, the exhibition is also about how artists learn and develop. It would not be inaccurate to call “Americans in Paris” an advertisement for the G.I. Bill of Rights, which financed college educations for veterans and covered many living expenses. (However, some of the show’s most significant figures — Joan Mitchell and Claire Falkenstein, as well as writers like James Baldwin who were critical to the development of the scene — had to make their way to France without government support.)

The curators are also careful to note that while the G.I. Bill helped enable the expat boom, women and men of color who had served often faced discrimination when applying for their benefits. Many of those who could leverage the bill enrolled in an art school or a private atelier and received a monthly stipend of $75 — enough to cover food and accommodations without having to take a day job.

The real schooling took place outside of formal classes: in other artists’ studios, on trips to museums in Paris, over long cafe lunches or through participation in exhibitions and salons.

Ellsworth Kelly, who was a veteran, skipped classes at the École des Beaux-Arts, where the focus was figure drawing (something he had already studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston). His more formative education overseas took place on a visit to the studio of the elder avant-garde artist Jean Arp in 1950, where he saw collages made with chance processes. And Kelly was also affected by just being out in the public spaces of Paris and its environs, where he took photographs of the shadows cast by balconies, staircases and other architectural features. His marvelous 1951 painting “Talmont” attests to both influences, arranging irregular green curves derived from cut-paper collages into a precise grid.

Hanging opposite Kelly’s work in the exhibition are paintings by the Cuban-born American artist Carmen Herrera , who exhibited alongside him at the annual Salon des Réalités Nouvelles (Salon of New Realities), an incubator of geometric abstraction. Herrera later said the salon offered “the type of art that my whole life I wanted to make.” Its impact on Herrera’s trajectory can be seen in three canvases on view, which find her gradually paring down her compositions while calling attention to the edges and surfaces of her supports.

Other artists had similarly transformative experiences in Paris’s museums. When the Musée de l’Orangerie reopened in 1953 after repairs to wartime damage, its galleries dedicated to Monet’s late murals of waterlilies astonished the painters Beauford Delaney and Sam Francis. Delaney, as seen in loans from MoMA and the Whitney, started to make allover abstractions of small gestural marks irradiated with golden light; Francis adopted a new palette of deep blues and greens, used to majestic effect in the large-scale canvas “Blue Out of White” (1958), on loan here from the Hirshhorn.

For Tajiri, a Japanese American who was imprisoned in California and Arizona internment camps after Pearl Harbor and later served with the segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, known as the “Yankee Samurai,” Paris offered a reprieve from the discrimination he had faced in the United States and its military (and at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he had briefly enrolled on the G.I. Bill). He found a sense of belonging as a founder of the artist-run Galerie Huit, where the other members included the Black Americans Harold Cousins, Herbert Gentry and Haywood Rivers.

Tajiri, like Kelly, found material in easily overlooked features of the city, scavenging scrap metal and machine parts from junkyards along the Seine, composing transient “One-Day Sculptures” that now exist only as documentation by the photographer Sabine Weiss.

Among Tajiri’s extant works at the Grey are two extraordinary sculptures on loan from collections in the Netherlands, where he eventually settled. “Lament for Lady (for Billie Holiday),” a 1953 assemblage, honors Holiday with a small photographic portrait perched atop an unusual metal instrument incorporating trumpet valves and a shower head. “Wounded Knee,” from the same year, extends Tajiri’s personal experiences of pain and displacement to Indigenous Americans, with whom he felt a kinship. (His internment in Arizona was at a camp within the Colorado River Indian Reservation.) The work’s title and its red-tinged spikes of welded iron allude to the artist’s leg injury during his wartime service, as well as to the 1890 massacre of the Lakota people at Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

While Tajiri found community in Paris, other artists arrived in the city looking for productive isolation. Joan Mitchell, represented by two robustly gestural green-on-white canvases from 1960, was looking to escape what she called the “star system” of the New York art world. Claire Falkenstein, the mathematically and scientifically inclined sculptor, left the Bay Area “to be alone and work out certain problems that I had to have answered for myself,” as she later put it .

Still, art critics of the time often wrote about Mitchell and Falkenstein’s work in relation to art being made back in the United States. Michel Tapié, for instance, linked Falkenstein to Francis and Mark Tobey in what he called the “Pacific School” (a sort of West Coast variant of Abstract Expressionism).

The show’s substantial publication has much more on the international rivalries of the day and the movements and sub-movements that defined the Paris scene. (A partial list would include Art Informel, Tachisme, Nouvelle Réalisme and Abstraction Chaude.) And it has a crucial narrative thread that is not as present in the show, linking Black American artists such as Delaney and Clark with writers, including James Baldwin , who were following the civil rights movement in the United States and, in Paris, the struggle for Algerian independence.

Baldwin is quoted throughout the book’s main curatorial essay, and a passage from his 1961 essay “The New Lost Generation” stands out: “What Europe still gives an American — or gave us — is the sanction to become oneself. No artist can survive without this acceptance.” Among the many invaluable forms of art education detailed in “Americans in Paris,” this may be the most important one.

Americans in Paris: Artists Working in Postwar France, 1946-1962

Through July 20, Grey Art Museum, 18 Cooper Square, Manhattan; 212-998-6780, greyartmuseum.nyu.edu.

Arts and Culture Across Europe

Our theater critics and a reporter discuss the big winne r — Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” — and the rest of the honorees at this year’s Olivier Awards .

New productions of “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” in Paris follow a French tradition of adapting familiar works . The results are innovative, and sometimes cryptic.

The internet latched on to 16-year-old Felicia Dawkins’ performance as The Unknown at a shambolic Willy Wonka-inspired event . Now she’s heading to a bigger and scarier stage in London.

When activists urged Tate Britain in London to take an offensive artwork off its walls, the institution commissioned Keith Piper to create a response instead. The result recently went on display.

The new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam has been in the works for almost 20 years. It is the first institution to tell the full story of the persecution of Dutch Jews during World War II.

At a retrospective of John Singer Sargent’s portraits in London, where the American expatriate fled after creating a scandal in Paris, clothes offer both armor and self-expression .

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