English Essay Help! =/ Hamlet (1 Viewer)

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To what extent does the textual integrity of Hamlet stem from Shakespeare’s exploration of what it means to be human?
Any ideas????<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:eek:ffice:eek:ffice" /><o:p></o:p>
 
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Well I couldn't ask someone to do that for me :)! I was just wondering if there were any ideas/themes/thesis'/points I could write about, preferably coming from people who have studied the play! I'm struggling to get a decent sized essay at the moment.
 

Absolutezero

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As is standard practice in English, you need to break the question down. What is it trying to say? It basically comes down to two points, 'textual integrity' and 'being human'. In other words:

How dose Shakespeare's use of language and form give us a greater understanding on what it means to be human.

From this you want to pick out some key points:

Hamlet's Tragic Flaw: Could be one of many things you focus on. Indecision is an obvious one.

Character Relationships: What does the relationship between characters tell us about ourselves. In particular, look at Claudius's relationships with Hamlet and Gertrude.

Moral Issues: You need to look at this in terms of the context that they play was written in. Although more obvious in Macbeth, Regicide immediately gives us insight into the character of Claudius.

That should get you started. Don't stop with that though, there's some much in the text that you could look at.
 

slyhunter

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Today's the 8th right?

7th would've shown as "yesterday" I believe. Hope for OP he's still around.
 

Absolutezero

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Today's the 8th right?

7th would've shown as "yesterday" I believe. Hope for OP he's still around.
Yeah, it would have. I wasn't sure what the date was today. Knew it was somewhere around that mark though, so went with it. Hoping OP does get to read this.
 

annabackwards

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As is standard practice in English, you need to break the question down. What is it trying to say? It basically comes down to two points, 'textual integrity' and 'being human'. In other words:

How dose Shakespeare's use of language and form give us a greater understanding on what it means to be human.

From this you want to pick out some key points:

Hamlet's Tragic Flaw: Could be one of many things you focus on. Indecision is an obvious one.

Character Relationships: What does the relationship between characters tell us about ourselves. In particular, look at Claudius's relationships with Hamlet and Gertrude.

Moral Issues: You need to look at this in terms of the context that they play was written in. Although more obvious in Macbeth, Regicide immediately gives us insight into the character of Claudius.

That should get you started. Don't stop with that though, there's some much in the text that you could look at.
+infinity

As usual, Absolutezero hit the nail right on the head. On a side note, I just finished watching all of Slings and Arrows and i think i'm in love with Hamlet now xD
 

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