English Essay Assignment

In the video "David Tenant on Hamlet: Shakespeare Uncovered" Tenant talks about reasons Hamlet should not be relevant to an audience today. Among those reasons are monarchy, murder, and madness which are not part of the everyday experience in 2016 (unless you have been watching the news closely all summer). He delves into the question of why the play is still performed and studied and is still so popular. (Of course, there are many Shakespearean plays that are still very popular!)

Give your own evaluation and your own ideas about the fact that the play is still considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, works in the English language. You do not have to like the play to evaluate its greatness in this way. I admit that it probably makes the task easier if you like the play. However, even if you do not like it, you can still use your critical skills and analytical ability to discuss these issues; Hamlet will be remembered after we are gone - why? (I promise that I will not deduct points if you do not like it! I will just sob quietly in my office.)

You may use first person. You may use contractions. This essay is not as formal as the ones you have been writing this semester. Demonstrate that you watched the video in your writing and that you have spent some time thinking about Hamlet. Make sure you let your reader know when you are discussing the play and when you are discussing the character. Most of the time that will be obvious through the context.

Proofread for grammar errors, good syntax, and word choice. The rules of Standard English still apply.

Length: 400-500 words.