I've been asked to write an Essay for english class on Hamlet. It sais to :

Question

Select one speech from Act IV of Hamlet and write a cause and effect essay for how it targets its audience. You may choose a target audience of any context or production of the play - the original Elizabethan, or a later dramatic version.

I chose the Zefferelli (1990) version.. But I'm not sure of what I'm being asked to do.. Can someone please explain or give me an example? I'm not asking anyone to write it for me, just clarify, please :)

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

First of all, here's the best website I've found to help students read Shakespeare's plays:
http://nfs.sparknotes.com/
Click on the title of the play you want (in this case Hamlet), then click on the act and scene. You'll find original Shakespearean language on the left and a modern-day "translation" on the right.

Here are several other really good websites about Shakespeare and his works and his times. Be sure to add ALL THESE to your favorites so you can find them again.

http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/

http://www.bardweb.net/

http://www.enotes.com/william-shakespeare/

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/

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Now -- here are several websites that will help you learn to write "cause and effect":
http://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+write+cause+and+effect+essay&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rlz=1R1GGGL_en___US321&client=firefox-a

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1. Choose the speech from Act IV you want to use. Read it thoroughly so you understand it, backwards and forwards.

2. What was the cause of this? That is, what brought the speaker to the point of saying all this? What does the character say, in detail? What are the results of this speech?

Dive in!