Essay Introduction Format I.

Introduce the issue, key theme, philosophical question that your essay will address: Survival is the basic instinct of every animal, but once survival is secured and the how of living is established, human beings wonderwhy? What are we staying alive for? How does one achieve authentic meaning? II. Explain how the literature, novel or play, addresses the theme mentioned above. This is where you formally give title (in italics) and author. Also preview some of the characters or plot points that will appear later in the essay. In Shakespeares Hamlet, when the main character asks the famous question, To be or not to be, his words resonate because he recognizes an uncomfortable and powerful truth: simply living is not being. Being, as Hamlet frames it, requires doing; yet, the power of thought, the very capacity that makes us human, restrains action. Throughout the story, as Hamlet struggles to accomplish appropriate vengeance for his fathers death he confronts this basic human paradox. At first, he aspires somewhat arrogantly to solve all problems and put the time back into joint. But the magnitude of this ambition paralyzes him and brings the frustration of thought without action. Later, when the time seems right, he acts without thinking and commits a murder with far reaching consequences. Ultimately, after observing the thoughtless warmongering of his rival, Fortinbras, and reflecting on his own failure, Hamlet understands that fulfillment can only come with meaningful action based on reasoning. III. Transition into your thesis. Let the reader know that having introduced the key themes and conflicts in the literature, you will now explain what larger meaning is dramatized. Tragically, Hamlet is never able to express his powerful thought through appropriate physical accomplishments; but even in failure his story dramatizes the human potential to live meaningfully. IV. Major Thesis: Multiple sentences; one part explains the meaningwhat the novel or play says about the key theme, a position, a philosophical assumption expressed; one part explains how or where this idea is expressed. Hamlets development ultimately reveals that physical existence alone is incomplete, and intellectual power by itself is unfulfilled. Hamlets evolving character dramatizes the existential truth that human meaning can only be achieved when one combines a higher reflective consciousness with active performance.

To Be: Hamlets Tragic Search for Meaning

Survival is the basic instinct of every animal, but once survival is secured and the how of living is established, human beings wonderwhy? What are we staying alive for? How does one achieve authentic meaning? In Shakespeares Hamlet, when the main character asks the famous question, To be or not to be his words resonate because he recognizes an uncomfortable and powerful truth: simply living is not being. Being, as Hamlet frames it, requires doing; yet, the power of thought, the very capacity that makes us human, restrains action. Throughout the story, as Hamlet struggles to accomplish appropriate vengeance for his fathers death he confronts this basic human paradox. At first, he aspires somewhat arrogantly to solve all problems and put the time back into joint. But the magnitude of this ambition paralyzes him and brings the frustration of thought without action. Later, when the time seems right, he acts without thinking and commits a murder with far reaching consequences. Ultimately, after observing the thoughtless warmongering of his rival, Fortinbras, and reflecting on his own failure, Hamlet understands that fulfillment can only come with meaningful action based on reasoning. Tragically, Hamlet is never able to express his powerful thought through appropriate physical accomplishments; but even in failure his story dramatizes the human potential to live meaningfully. Hamlets development ultimately reveals that physical existence alone is incomplete, and intellectual power by itself is unfulfilled. Hamlets evolving character dramatizes the existential truth that human meaning can only be achieved when one combines a higher reflective consciousness with active performance.