Exam Questions about Hamlet

“In Hamlet, it is hard to decide whether Shakespeare’s interests lie primarily with the personal
or political dimensions of his subject.”

Discuss Shakespeare’s presentation of pretence and hypocrisy in Hamlet.

“The play is, above all, a sustained exploration of the differences between how things seem and
how they really are.” Discuss this view of Hamlet with comparative reference to The Revenger’s
Tragedy.

Through a detailed study of Hamlet and comparative reference to The Revenger’s Tragedy,
discuss the ways tragedies do or do not reassure audiences that good can triumph over evil.

Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of the theme of justice in Hamlet and show how far your understanding and appreciation of this issue have been informed by your reading of The Revenger’s Tragedy.

“From first to last, there is an overwhelming air of decay.” Examine Shakespeare’s presentation of the theme of decay in Hamlet and show how your ideas have been influenced by Middleton’s treatment of the same theme in The Revenger’s Tragedy.

“One failed conspiracy on top of another and then a conclusion achieved by accident!” Examine Shakespeare’s dramatic techniques in Hamlet in the light of this remark, making comparative reference to Middleton’s dramatic techniques inThe Revenger’s Tragedy.

“In his presentation of royalty in Hamlet, Shakespeare could be accused of undermining the political and social values of his time.” Explore this view of Hamlet with comparative reference to Middleton’s presentation of the ruling classes inThe Revenger’s Tragedy.