Hamlet essay questions! DUE TODAY!!!!!

-Directions: Listed below 4 of 7 open ended (meaning intended for an in-depth discussion and there will be many ways to answer the question) essay questions for the text Hamlet. You will want to quote from the play in order to support your written answers. Each written response should be a minimum of 150-200 words. Each written response should contain a minimum of two quotes from the play, but may contain more. Something to keep in mind when quoting from the text-the quotes are embedded into your own sentences in order to support what you are trying to say. They are not just randomly added as answers. You are not required to cite. I will know where the quote comes from. You MUST choose 4 out of 7 of the topics to write on. Let me know if you have any questions. 1. There are two sides to Claudius - the cowardly, treacherous villain; and the tormented sinner who longs for redemption, is benevolent and loves his queen. Discuss these two aspects of Claudius's character, showing which, in your opinion, is more dominant 2. Polonius is not a major character in the sense that Hamlet and Claudius are: yet he is apparently a leading figure in the court, he is directly or indirectly involved in much of the main action, and his accidental murder at Hamlet's hands is certainly a 'major' event of considerable significance and dramatic import. What is your view of Polonius' role in the play? Refer in particular to the dramatic importance of his death. 3. Some readers believe Hamlet procrastinates after the Ghost's direct statements, " Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder," and "The serpent that did sting thy father's life/Now wears his crown." Others say he immediately puts his plans in action. What is your view? Argue in support of your opinion, showing your understanding of Hamlet's procrastination or action throughout the play. 4. Hamlet is no “sweet prince”. In pursuit of his revenge he becomes increasingly ruthless, callous and cruel. In the light of the above statement examine Hamlet's relationships with the other characters in the play and decide whether or not you agree with the comment. 5. There are many contrasts in the play, Hamlet. For example: there is honesty but also dishonesty, faithfulness and infidelity, love and hatred, honour and dishonour, revenge and forgiveness. This suggests that nothing was simple, nothing was easy. And for the three hours of the play we, the audience, find ourselves constantly swept from one opinion to the opposite. Sometimes we agree with what is happening on stage, at other times we find it disgusting. This is why it is difficult to decide exactly what kind of person Hamlet is. Discuss. 6. "There is a divinity which shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will." Hamlet utters these words in Act V scene 2 on his return to Denmark. A subtle change seems to have come over him; in what way is the above quotation indicative of this change? From your knowledge of the play as a whole, would you say that this philosophy is vindicated? 7. To what extent, do you think, is Shakespeare presenting Hamlet as a type of ideal man? (Your answer must include an assessment of Hamlet's procrastination. Does this vindicate the theory of Hamlet as an ideal or is it a flaw in his character?)