ryanWilkinson
Feb 16, 2010
Book Reports / "the Ghost in Shakespeare's play Hamlet" - Need Critique On An Opening Paragraph [5]
I have been assigned the task of creating a 5 page essay, reflecting the importance of the Ghost in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. This is the opening paragraph I have begun; I feel like it is strong, yet lacking in some area that I cannot discover! Your feedback and criticism would be appreciated! Thanks.
OPENING PARAGRAPH:
The Ghost of King Hamlet: an ingenious literary entity, crafted in the great mind of Shakespeare, played perhaps the great, sinister duty in the mind of the young Hamlet, in a way tangible to readers. Revenge and murder, the writs of Hamlet's duty and demise, abound directly from the will and imploration of the Ghost, whose presence deeply enriches the play, whose absence is taboo. Much like 16th century Elizabethans, Hamlet's view towards spirits, and things unnatural, is not one of contempt or dismissal, but of acceptance and curiosity. But whether this Ghost signifies spirit or demon, Hamlet does not know, and neither the reader, but he acknowledges the fact of its existence, attempts to discern its intentions. And so the question arises, what purpose does this 'Ghost' serve? The role it plays instills the thoughts of murder and revenge, hastens the demise of the King and Queen, and foreshadows, and finalizes, the destiny of Hamlet. Which raises perhaps the greater question, why does Hamlet the Ghost's demands?
I have been assigned the task of creating a 5 page essay, reflecting the importance of the Ghost in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. This is the opening paragraph I have begun; I feel like it is strong, yet lacking in some area that I cannot discover! Your feedback and criticism would be appreciated! Thanks.
OPENING PARAGRAPH:
The Ghost of King Hamlet: an ingenious literary entity, crafted in the great mind of Shakespeare, played perhaps the great, sinister duty in the mind of the young Hamlet, in a way tangible to readers. Revenge and murder, the writs of Hamlet's duty and demise, abound directly from the will and imploration of the Ghost, whose presence deeply enriches the play, whose absence is taboo. Much like 16th century Elizabethans, Hamlet's view towards spirits, and things unnatural, is not one of contempt or dismissal, but of acceptance and curiosity. But whether this Ghost signifies spirit or demon, Hamlet does not know, and neither the reader, but he acknowledges the fact of its existence, attempts to discern its intentions. And so the question arises, what purpose does this 'Ghost' serve? The role it plays instills the thoughts of murder and revenge, hastens the demise of the King and Queen, and foreshadows, and finalizes, the destiny of Hamlet. Which raises perhaps the greater question, why does Hamlet the Ghost's demands?