Literary Analysis Essay #2 - DUE Wednesday, 11/19 - Hamlet

Essay #2 (of 3-4 pages with additional Works Cited page attached) is DUE on Wednesday, November 19, via EMAIL by midnight. Late papers—those submitted with a Thursday, 11/20 OR LATER time stamp—will receive 2 permanent points off for lateness. Thus, do not wait until the last minute--that's when computer issues, Internet problems, etc., arise--it is your responsibility to have your work in on time. NOTE: Late assignments (with a reduced grade) will be accepted ONLY up until Saturday, 11/22.  


1) Make a case for Hamlet’s sanity or insanity, based on his behavior. Use direct quotes from the text of the play to support your argument. Cite specifically to the source, using standard MLA-style documentation. 

2) Why does Hamlet hesitate when he has an opportunity to avenge his father’s death? Is he indecisive, or is he simply making poor decisions? Write an essay in which you analyze Hamlet’s reasons for not acting, i.e., when he has the opportunity to do so. Use direct quotes from the text of the play to support your argument. Cite specifically to the source, using standard MLA-style documentation. 

3) In an essay, compare and contrast three (3) scenes from the text of the play with three (3) scenes from the film adaptation which we viewed in class (starring Ethan Hawke as the eponymous prince), and discuss why you think the presentation of these scenes is or is not successful. Cite specifically to the source, using standard MLA-style documentation. 

4) What can be discerned about the psychological movement of Hamlet’s character as the play progresses? Re-read and choose at least TWO of the following soliloquies delivered by Hamlet. Write an essay in which you discuss Hamlet’s psychological progression. Use quotes from the text of the play to support your argument. Cite specifically to the source, using standard MLA-style documentation.

1.2 “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt”

1.5 “O all you host of heaven!”

2.1 “O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!”

3.1 “To be or not to be”

3.2 “‘Tis now the very witching time of night”

3.3 “Now might I do it pat”

4.4 “How all occasions do inform against me”

Again, here is the proper breakdown of points:

• Clear thesis statement (be sure to introduce author and text!), well-organized supporting points and conclusion: 8 points
• Cited adequately and correctly from the texts (primary and secondary): 3 points
• Demonstrated writing strength (sentence structure, spelling, grammar): 4 points

  Criteria for Grading

In your essay, you must include support for your response from whichever primary text you have chosen. In the interest of time, I am NOT requiring you to use an outside source--however, you must cite adequately and properly from the text of the play. Please include a Works Cited page. The expectation is that you will write grammatically correct and coherent sentences, following standard composition form.

Again, your short essays are evaluated using the following criteria: you have answered the question asked—meaning, you have written a clear thesis statement with supporting points and you have answered the question completely); you have cited adequately from the source reading using MLA style; and, you have demonstrated strength in your writing that is appropriate to a 200-level literature course (well-structured sentences and paragraphs, proper spelling, grammar, no run-on sentences or sentence fragments, proper punctuation, use of transitions, logical conclusion). If you receive “NG”—meaning “Not Gradable”—due to numerous composition errors (ex: poor grammar, misspellings, lack of thesis, poor sentence structure, not MLA-compliant, etc.), you are strongly advised to take your paper to The Learning Center (2nd Floor) to work with a tutor for assistance in revising the essay for resubmission.
 

Plagiarism results in an "F" on the paper with NO POSSIBILITY of revision. 

 If you plagiarize a second time, you automatically fail the course.

I will be checking all papers electronically for plagiarism. 

PLEASE NOTE: Simply re-wording summaries or analysis from another source on Shakespeare constitutes plagiarism--your work must consist of YOUR OWN THOUGHTS--please don't fail this course because of plagiarism. 

You must write well if you are to receive a good grade in my course. I do not “curve” grades—also, I do not pass students whose writing does not show that they have properly met the standards of what I consider acceptable. The Learning Center is open every day and evening and is available to you. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your papers are proof-read before you hand them in.