A) Hamlet is included in the literary canon because of its unique style and accurate representation of human experiences. For example, Shakespeare’s works are written in a very early form of the English language. It is important to know the history of our language, and Hamlet accurately gives readers a sense of what older English was. Hamlet also has an accurate representation of the types of things that humans go through. One instance of this is when Laertes runs into the castle, threating to overthrow Claudius. During the time period this was written in, it was a true concern of monarchs to be ousted from their throne. Although many of the experiences in Hamlet may be more exaggerated than anything that would realistically happen to us now, it still shows the feelings and mental struggles that people still go through today. In the whole play, Hamlet is having feelings of self-doubt and even contemplates taking his life. In the time of the play this would be considered an attitude of melancholy, but this can be related to depression in modern times.

B) One of the quotes from Hamlet that I see to be most significant is one said by Laertes to Hamlet at the end of the play. Laertes states, “Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet, mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, nor thine on me” (5.2.361-63). Laertes is asking for Hamlet to forgive him for stabbing him, and then Laertes will forgive Hamlet for killing himself and Polonius. I think this quote is largely representative of many different themes within Hamlet such as death, revenge, and forgiveness. This quote shows revenge because it displays the extent to which both Hamlet and Laertes went through, just to get revenge on one another. Laertes needed revenge so badly, so he killed Hamlet even though he was questioning whether it was against his morals or not. It also shows the theme of forgiveness by having Hamlet and Laertes both forgive one another, to give a peaceful resolution to the story despite the death involved. The theme of death is portrayed in this quote also, by showing that Laertes and Hamlet both want to go to heaven. At this point in the play, they both understand death, and they know that they must repent for their sins in order to be forgiven.

A.
Valerie Strauss states in her article that “Shakespeare… is seen by many as the greatest writer in the English language and central to the Western canon”, I agree with her point but there is more to why Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon, besides Shakespeare being a great writer. Hamlet is included as a literary canon because even after 450 years since it was first read, studying Shakespeare is still a requirement in the Common Core English Language Arts standards, according to Strauss, due to the fact that Hamlet teaches students about the human condition and hidden commentary by Shakespeare. In Matthew Truesdale response he states, “I often tell my student that one of the main reasons to read a Shakespeare play is simply for the privilege of telling others you’ve read a Shakespeare play”, I agree with Truesdale about the fact that being able to have an intelligent discussion about Shakespeare does give one credibility.

B.
“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him” (Hamlet-5.1.190-191).
Hamlet says this in a graveyard as he looks at the skull of Yorick, a court jester he knew as a child, and grieves for him. In this speech, Hamlet goes on to contemplate the fate of us all when he compares the skull to those still living. As a child Hamlet found Yorick amusing and entertaining. They used to play in an intimate but innocent way. Now that Yorick is a stinking corpse the memory of touching him seems revolting and makes Hamlet feel ill. He begins to recognize that none of their earthly deeds or accomplishments matters in the face of death, death is the ultimate equalizer.

A. Shakespeare is known as the greatest writer in the English language but his texts are more than just words. He writes about real life emotions and problems no matter how unrealistic they may seem. Every student or anyone goes through times of jealousy or anger and Shakespeare writes texts that anyone can even relate to. As argued by Matthew Truesdale, "Ethnically diverse students don't foolishly fall in love and over-dramatize every facet of that experience?" We read Shakespeare for the sole reason to know his stories and to relate to his stories. I agree with Truesdale in the sense that no matter who you are, what ethnicity or even what culture you associate yourself with, you can relate and talk about Shakespeare which Truesdale even says that it establishes credibility. This is the reason why reading Shakespeare should be included in the literary canon, so that students can use Shakespeare references in real life and evaluate the deep meaning of his texts.

a) Hamlet is included in the English literary canon because it is written by the world’s most renowned playwright and has themes that are still prevalent in today’s world. It would be unfair to say that Hamlet is solely taught based on its literary merit alone. This play is one of many in William Shakespeare’s repertoire. Shakespeare remains at the forefront of our culture almost 500 years after his plays were written due to his thoughtfulness in creating characters and a plot that tell a relatable or teachable story in the end. Hamlet is a remarkable example of Shakespeare’s creativity in creating characters and a plot that has moments of relatability that entice the reader, transcending the generations that have studied he play. It is important to remember Shakespeare has written may works and Hamlet being chosen for the literary canon is not just a “pick one and go” choice. The play was chosen for the literary canon because it has themes that are still relatable in modern-day. Most people can relate to Hamlet’s tense relationship with his mother in some form and can sympathize with the fact that Hamlet has lost his father.
b) “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” is one of the most significant lines in Hamlet. Not only does this line foreshadow everything that is about to occur in the play, it also links the theme of health of a ruler to the health of the country. This line foreshadows the tale where in the next scene, that Claudius has killed his older brother, the King, to take his throne and his life. This also introduces the theme of a nation as a body, and Denmark’s body in this case is rotting due to the corruptness of its ruler.

A. Hamlet is included in the literary canon, because when they were first written and still to an extent people believed that there were ideas that students understood and could relate to. This any thing from losing parents to being love sick, but while modern kids can still somewhat relate to these topics, they have moved past them into something more modern, as well as different types of learning styles. "I am sad that we don't reach beyond our own often narrow beliefs about how how young people become literate to incorporate new research on how teenagers learn, and a belief that our students be excited about what they read. and that may often mean that we need to find the time to let them choose their own literature" Dana Dusbiber talks about how while Hamlet might be a classic, it isn't meant for everyone and each kid is different, but they all have something in common, they learn better if they enjoy what they are learning and most of the time, it isn't a hard to understand, older play.

B. "One may smile and smile and be a villain" ( Hamlet 1.5.115)
this line is significant, because it puts the main idea of the story into one line. it sis saying that while a person might look and act one way, whether it be nice or happy or even crazy, that doesn't always show who they truly are. for example while Claudius acts nice and innocent, Hamlet sees that beneath the mask, he really is the man that killed Hamlet's father and married his mother. this is the same in many situations throughout the play. For example Hamlet smiles and wears the mask of being crazy, while behind closed doors he is planning to kill Claudius for revenge. this quote shows the theme of the play by expressing that anyone can wear a mask, and many people in Hamlet do.

1) Hamlet is included in the literary canon because it explores the human condition and existential crises in an artistic way. It also includes some of the best and well-styled writing in English history. I enjoyed reading Hamlet and understand its importance, but do not think that it should continue to be included in the literary canon. I believe that students should have more freedom in what they must read and should be able to choose what genres they focus on, if the books in that genre that are used are of literary merit. I am a big fan of science fiction myself. However, as Truesdale points out, including the works of Shakespeare in the literary canon will give students the experience of reading his work and understanding references made to it. Besides this, though, there isn’t really much application of understanding of the book in real life.
2) One line from Hamlet that seems the most significant is “a little more than kin and less than kind.” This line is significant because it shows how disgruntled Hamlet is over Claudius killing his father and marrying his mother, and hints that he wants to act on this frustration. The line is also a sort of pun because it plays on the words “kin” and “kind.” The line says that Claudius is now twice related to Hamlet, as he is his uncle as well as his father (“more than kin”) but is in a less than natural relationship with Gertrude (“less than kind”). This line connects to the theme of the play by showing that Hamlet secretly hates Claudius, a hate that is focused on throughout the entire play and finally acted on in the end.

Hamlet is included in the literary canon because it has always been there. Shakespeare “is a requirement in the Common Core English Language Arts standards” according to Valerie Strauss. Everyone can relate for the need for vengeance, quick acts of passion, and the need to over-dramatize everyday life. Our boy Hamlet here represents all these qualities and therefore, represents all of us. However, there are thousands of other characters that represent humanity as well. “Why not teach the oral tradition out of Africa, which includes an equally relevant commentary on human behavior?” asks Dana Dusbiber. By only learning the human perspective from a fixed amount of characters in Shakespeare, the histories and the literature from other cultures and civilizations are kept from a diversifying world. And for what? So we could understand references to Romeo and Juliet in a Buzzfeed article?

“Not a whit. We defy augury. There is <a> special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be <now,> ’tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it <will> come. The readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is ’t to leave betimes? Let be.” (V.ii.233-238)
Hamlet says this line to Horatio when Horatio is worried about Hamlet’s gut feeling not to fence. In this quote, Hamlet is stating that everything will work out as it is destined so he doesn’t need to worry about whether he will die or not. This connects to the theme of the play because throughout the story, Hamlet grows to understand the concept of death. By accepting his eventual mortality, Hamlet completes his understanding of death.

A. 'Hamlet' is included in the English Literary Canon because of Shakespeare's place as arguably the most recognized author of all time. However, the apparent narrow mindedness sphere in which 'Hamlet' was written has called its place in High School studies into question. Dana Dusbiber, a veteran teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, CA., argues that studying Shakespeare limits modern day students from experiencing a much more rich and diverse world of literature that we currently are living in. If we continue to study Shakespeare, Dusbiber argues, “we promote the notion that other cultures are less important”.

B. In my opinion, one of the most significant lines in ‘Hamlet’ is when Hamlet says “The time is out of joint. O curse’d sprite that ever I was born to set it right!” (1.5.210-211). This line is a representation of Hamlet’s more purposeful side. After the death of his father, Hamlet wishes death upon himself, and is noted both in the film adaptation and book as being especially gloomy and upset. However, after seeing the apparition of his father, Hamlet became extremely inspired to avenge his father’s murder, and fix the dysfunctionality of Denmark. This line in contradiction with his earlier depressive mood are an early indicator of Hamlet going crazy. He suffers from mood swings over the course of the play.

A. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because not only has it been studied for hundreds of years, but students can feel a personal connection with Shakespeare’s work and can learn about “the modern human condition” like Matthew Truesdale says. According to Valerie Strauss, Hamlet should not be included in the English Literary Canon because students should be reading books from more diverse backgrounds and other cultural perspectives. She thinks it is continued to be taught only because it has “always been done this way” and that students should be able to choose to read literature that excites them.

B. To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?—To die,—to sleep..” Act III, scene i (58–90)
I believe that these lines from Hamlet are the most significant because not only are they the most famous and well known lines, but also because they connect with many of the major themes in the play. Hamlet is presenting his problem on whether or not he should kill himself, to live or not to live. He goes on comparing death to sleep and that during both of these you can end all suffering. With this idea, his words connect to the themes of suicide and death, the hardships of knowing the truth, and the connection between thought and action. Hamlet’s speech also reveals exactly what is going on in his head when he reaches his breaking point. It shows the deep emotions and utter sadness he feels, as well as showing his logic and reasoning. He contemplates whether or not suicide is the answer by taking in account religion as well as his feelings and passion in this situation.

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Hamlet is included in literary canon because it's a timeless narrative about tragedy, mental illness, and indecision. Students can see themselves in the characters, and relate to the experiences and motivations in others. Regardless of skin tone or ethnic origin, readers can empathize with Hamlet's frustration at not being "man enough", consider themselves as loyal as Horatio, or be as permanently devastated as Ophelia. Not only does Hamlet offer insight into the psychological motivations of a confused man and diverse side characters, it also verses readers in comprehending old language and appreciating blank verse and prose.

A. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon due to the insights of the characters on broad subjects like death and gender roles. The play’s significance is in part due to the intention that Shakespeare never wanted anyone to read the play but watch, causing inconsistencies that let many observers speculate the significance of those lines and the way they were supposed to be presented. “To be or not to be” is a known line that confuses many due to the wording being left upon those who played the role along with its second appearance in the play causing the skull to be out of place. However, the main significance of Hamlet still is how the characters represent the broad subjects in the play. Hamlet causes controversy on who the ghost is since he believed that ghosts were demons disguised as deceased loved ones, contrasting with the other belief that the ghost could truly be his father stuck in purgatory creating a conflict that adds mystery and dread to the play. The treatment of Ophelia exemplifies the feminine traits of the time and the ideals of how woman acted, adding to the reaction Hamlet displaces upon her as his view of women changed with the marriage between his uncle and mother. The incorporation of subjects in the play by Shakespeare exemplify the honor Hamlet has in English literary canon.

B. Many lines have proven significant in Hamlet as the well know “To be or not to be…” stated by Hamlet twice emphasized his attempt to understand death. While one of the scenes was mainly for comedy, both still add to his views that evolved throughout influencing actions including why he spared Claudius as he prayed due to how he decided he might go to heaven if he died there. Beside the famous lines however, there are other lines that are more significant to not only the plot, but to the subjects the play entangled throughout. For instance, in Act 3, Hamlet starts to express his unpleasant view on his mother’s, Gertrude, marriage with his uncle, Claudius, by stating to the remark of Gertrude’s view of the woman actor by saying “O, but she’ll keep her word.” (3.2.255), which indirectly addresses how despite her protests she would do nothing in the end. This may not be true, but it does express Hamlet’s disdain for woman due to his feelings of his mother’s actions and how he viewed her responses. Later, he quipped “So you mistake your husbands” (3.2.276) to further his distaste for Gertrude’s actions. Lines similar to this help build the views and changing ideals of each character in the play that change their reactions and cause actions they usually would not resort to until now.

A) Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon for many reasons, but mainly, because of Shakespeare's use of the text to comment on human behavior and societal stereotypes. Within Hamlet, concepts of gender roles, mental instability, love, and loss are explored; topics that have relevance and can be interpreted to find new meaning today. It is also a text that utilizes an early version of the English language, which gives historians and scholars an opportunity to peer into the mindset of those living 450 years ago. Despite the various attributes that make Hamlet a classic piece of literature, it can be argued that the play’s inclusion in the canon is solely based upon traditional views of literary merit. However, the complex themes and thought provoking plot development found within the play make it a highly esteemed piece of literature to this day.

A. Hamlet would be included in the English Literary Canon as it indeed paved the way for future novels/plays and was truly and innovational piece for the time. Shakespeare was a revolutionary. His plays and novels were so advanced for the time that people had to adapt to read them. In Shakespeare’s time, Early Modern English was just becoming popular. Before Shakespeare, most writers wrote in Old or Middle English. Shakespeare was one of the first to use Early Modern English, which made Hamlet special and unique, bringing it into the English literary canon.


“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” [Marcellus – 1.4.100]
B. While short, his line foreshadows the rest of the story and the events to follow. Hamlet finding out through the Ghost that his father was killed by Claudius, the eventual killing of Polonius, Hamlet finding out Claudius’s guilt through the play, Hamlet being plotted against twice, and the bloodshed in the end of the book are all events that this line foreshadows. The reader can tell from this point on that things are about to take a turn and get bad. The line also has more meaning, connecting to the theme of death. The line can also refer to the death of King Hamlet as Marcellus senses that somethings may have happened in the past.

A) Hamlet is included in the literary canon because Shakespeare’s writing significantly impacted a lot of English literature and should be recognized as such. Hamlet tells a story about a man who has lived his whole life not questioning anything or anyone until he lost his father, and his life changed. Hamlet realized that life wasn’t as it seemed, and he went through many ups and downs trying to find out the truth about his life. Studying Hamlet is essential for students to be able to understand not just literature but real-life experiences. Shakespeare’s writing has inspired the world in many ways and it is see throughout films and novels. So being familiar with his writing will help you better understand things that are referencing it. Although Hamlet was written centuries ago and it is not as relatable as it may have been at one time, it still speaks about many topics that are relevant in society today. But even if it can’t be related to in any way it is still important for students to step out of what they are used to and read something more challenging. Hamlet has a lot of great moral lessons and teaches us about the modern human condition which is why it should continue to be read in the classroom.

B) “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.” (Ghost-1.5.46-47).
This quote is said by the ghost when he is talking to Hamlet about his father’s death. He is telling him that he was murdered by the same person who is now the king and he is referring to Claudius. This line is significant because Hamlet was already very upset about king Hamlets death and his mother’s marriage to Claudius so finding out that his father’s death was a murder done by his uncle felt like betrayal. After Hamlet found this out a seed stared to plant in his mind about revenging his father’s death. Although he was still hesitant to act before he knew the whole truth, he was on a mission to know what happened and get revenge. This line connects to the theme of the play because Hamlets whole mission to avenge his father’s death started when the ghost told Hamlet that Claudius is responsible. A major theme in the play was Hamlets obsession with death and it seemed to all start when he found out his father was murdered.

Hamlet is included in the literary canon due to its accurate depiction of real world experiences, and teaches us about the early English language. Hamlet is one of the many plays written by shakespeare which is all written in the old english language. so we as the reader get to see how our ancestors spoke and written which is important in understanding how much the English language has evolved since then. Hamlet is accurate in depicting real world experiences because just like Hamlet, we as humans go through tough decision making. We struggle with right and wrong, and are often conflicted when it comes to hard decision making. We see this in "Hamlet", when Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech where he came faced with the hard decision of whether or not he wanted to be alive. He also made a hard decision to carry out his plan the Ghost of King Hamlets requested in killing Claudius, since Claudius is the reason kKing Hamlet is dead. These are some of the reason "Hamlet" has a place of honor in literary studies.
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A.)Hamlet should be included in the literary canon because along with Shakespeare’s other works it has relatable themes and problems to some extent. It has a well deserving place in the literary cannon even though other’s may disagree for valid reasons, reasons that also have a clear solution. The main issue with Hamlet and works alike by William Shakespeare is the author and his cultural views and human experiences being out dated. Though a certain population might not be able to necessarily relate to everything for obvious reason of time period and or ethnic background, Matthew Truesdale proposes the questions “So what Shakespeare wrote 450 years ago year is not applicable to her [referring to Dusbiber’s stance against Hamlet and his involvement in the literary cannon]teaching today?” and then Truesdale presents very obvious rhetorical questions that continue to secure Hamlet’s spot and the relatable. The lessons that accompany Hamlet and its relatable themes can be tailored and adapted to fit a different audience that don’t necessarily feel included within the stories or the physical perception of the characters within the stories but the themes can still be interpreted and adjusted to fit a broader spectrum of persons.

b. "the serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown"(1.1.46-47), is the most significant line because it came from the Ghost of king Hamlet, who told Hamlet the truth about his death, and ordered Hamlet to avenge his death by killing Claudius, who is the "serpent". One of the play's major plot lines followed Hamlet as he carried out his quest for revenge against Claudius, so this line is important because it contributed to the whole plot of the play. This line is also important because it contributes to the recurring theme of revenge in "Hamlet". Throughout "Hamlet" we see many characters acting on revenge. Hamlet is taking revenge on claudius by planning his death, Laertes is planning his revenge on Hamlet for killing his father by killing hamlet with a poisonous sword, among many other characters who were vengeful.

A) Hamlet is included in the literary canon because it represents how the themes and emotions present in the play are relevant and applicable to human experiences today. Hamlet’s story, his anger, passion, and grief, among other feelings, are relatable to most students, regardless of background. As Matthew Truesdale argues, students of all ethnicities, religions, races, etc. all share commonalities in their experiences, whether it be falling in love, jealousy, anger, or discrimination. Having felt these emotions as humans ourselves, it is interesting to read a story that portrays those same feelings in different ways. Shakespeare’s use of universal experiences make the story relevant and worth reading. His use of themes like revenge, mortality, grief, and romance help convey the commonalities that all humans tend to feel. The ability of Hamlet to still be applicable to human emotion and students’ lives 450 years after it was written is remarkable, thus serving as a reason to keep studying it.
B) “With forms to his conceit – and all for nothing! / For Hecuba! / What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,” (2.2.584-586)
These lines were said by Hamlet after watching a short performance by one of the traveling actors. Hamlet was incredulous that the actor could portray immense passion and emotion for a mere character, while he himself had all the reason to feel true passion and anger and yet couldn’t seem to muster it. These lines are significant because they show Hamlet’s inner battle about whether or not he should take action against Claudius. This connects to the recurring theme of action versus inaction as Hamlet struggles with the choices in front of him. During this scene, he eventually comes up with his plan to fool Claudius by staging his murder of the late King Hamlet within the play being performed. Thus, he chose a course of action and went through with it throughout the remainder of the play.

A. Hamlet is included in the literary canon because of the way Shakespeare was able to manipulate language in the text and because of how his writing reflected the social beliefs of the time, which we can use to determine how beliefs have changed. In moments where Shakespeare wanted to emphasize wordplay, he began to write in prose which enabled him to make the reader focus more on the words being spoken than the form they were in. For example, when Hamlet was having a conversation with Polonius in act II scene ii, Shakespeare wrote in prose to emphasize the puns and double entendres that Hamlet used to make fun of Polonius. Additionally, as Matthew Truesdale states, “To dismiss Shakespeare on the grounds that life 450 years ago has no relation to life today is to dismiss…everything that wasn’t written in whatever time defined as NOW.” Shakespeare’s work provides valuable insight on major beliefs held at the time of his writing, especially on ideas about women’s roles in society. It is important to continue to study Hamlet, not only for Shakespeare’s linguistic abilities, but also to learn about beliefs of the past.

B. “Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? Your songs?” (Hamlet-5.1.196-197)
I think this quote in incredibly significant because of how it shows Hamlet’s developing understanding of death as the ultimate equalizer. In this scene, Hamlet is speaking about Yorick, a man he once knew, and he realizes that many of the bones being dug up are just bones. He can’t tell them apart from each other and he does not know who the bones once belonged to. This contributes to the theme that death is the ultimate equalizer because Hamlet sees that no one remembers anyone in death for very long and that once you die, your achievements and goals from life cease to matter as the memory people have of you begins to fade away.

A) Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because it was written by William Shakespeare. Many believe that Shakespeare’s works offer insight into the human condition. While Shakespeare may have had many beliefs about the human condition, he was one man, in one place, many years ago. It is illogical to assume that he had any more insight on the human condition than any other one person. Instead, if we are meant to learn about the human condition, the English Literary Canon should contain a selection of books from a wide variety of authors with varying backgrounds and draw conclusions based on similarities.
B) “Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay.” [5.1.220] This is one of the most significant lines in the Hamlet. This quote shows that death effects all people in the same way, regardless of what happened during their lives. This idea that all people are equal in death is a major theme in Hamlet as Hamlet spends the majority of Act 5 Scene 1 talking to the gravedigger and learning this and this is where the play’s most memorable monologue: “To Be or Not to Be”.

A. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Cannon because of its complex plot, use of figurative language, and aspects of character development. More obviously, it is included in the Literary Cannon because it is written by Shakespeare which, as Valerie Strauss correctly indicates in her article, “is a requirement in the Common Core English Language Arts standards”. Although this general statement may be true, the reason behind Shakespeare being a requirement is the same reason that it belongs in the Literary Cannon. It is not because, as Dana Dusbiber stated, “it has always been done”, it is because Shakespeare’s plays, specifically Hamlet, are written in a manner that should be appreciated by anyone studying the English language and literature forever. In both reading Hamlet itself as well as expert criticisms of Hamlet, one can learn the various aspects which exist in literature. In closely looking at Gertrude and Ophelia, one can take a gender criticism approach. One can even look at the specific words of Hamlet and criticize it formalistically. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Cannon because it is so versatile in both what if incorporates and what one can learn in reading it.
B. “Thus the native hue of resolution/ Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought.” (3.1.92/93). This quote comes from Hamlet’s famous “To Be or Not to be” soliloquy. This specific segment of it references the decision-making process and how we are always second guessing ourselves. This quote comes from Hamlet both describing himself and the people around him. Hamlet constantly second-guesses himself and doesn’t know whether he should act against Claudius or not.

1. In my opinion, Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon, as a result of Shakespeare’s lack of fear—he was bold. His plays were honest, included a comical effect, and most of all, Shakespeare didn’t have a specific audience; his work targeted every individual during this time period and in years to follow because his work was so engaging.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet begins by expressing disorganization amongst the guards. As we move forward into the text, the main character, Hamlet, is introduced to a ghost that he believes is his father. His father is asking him to seek revenge for his uncle because he murdered King Hamlet, took his crown, and his queen. Throughout the play, Hamlet looks for ways to avenge his uncle all while taking on the role of acting as if he was insane. Every character, from his lover (Ophelia) to the current king Claudius, Gertrude (his mother), and other characters such as Polonius and Laertes—who interfere and have a prominent role in the play for the reason that they have a higher social ranking than most and are both respected by the king and queen—show an abundance of motives and characteristics that many can relate to, even if they weren’t as severe as the characters.
For instance, when Polonius was killed by Hamlet, Ophelia’s love, this took a toll on her psychologically and inescapably lead to her death. Also, when Claudius realized Hamlets true motives, he irrationally decided to send Hamlet to England, however he escaped to win seek the revenge his father had prompted him to.
Overall, Hamlet is play that places emphasis on a botched family and every surrounding character possessed characteristics that seemed questionable, however, many could relate to.

2. In Act I, Scene III, Polonius says to Laertes: “This above all: to thine own self be true." To provide some context, Polonius said this to prepare his son prior to his journey to France.
In general, this quote could relate to the entire play as whole due to its significance for each prominent character. For Hamlet, this could be in relation to his behavior throughout. From the start of the play, his morals and values are noteworthy. He feels that his mother’s betrayal to his father was disrespectful and upon learning the way in which his father was murdered, his feelings never changed. Although he took on the role of acting insane, his feelings towards the subject matter only grew stronger in favor of seeking revenge because he felt as if Claudius and Gertrude were wrong. This is true to Ophelia, because, no matter the circumstances, she never stopped loving Hamlet—she just followed orders to make others in the play happy by staying away from him. For Claudius, his position never changes as well, he knew that what he did was wrong, but he did it anyways. On top of that, he even attempted to pray but, knew that it wouldn’t work because he didn’t want to give up his new crown. This is true to Gertrude because, no matter what, she knew her son. She knew he was having a hard time adjusting to his father’s death and her new marriage. This is true for Polonius because he never stopped talking, always stating his position on the situation involving Hamlet, ultimately resulting in his death. Lastly, this is true to Laertes because his feelings towards Hamlet had never changed from the start of the play, up until the end. He disapproved of his relationship towards Ophelia and up until the end, he found more reasons to dislike him, resulting in his death.

A. Hamlet, a member of the literary canon hall of fame, takes fire when Dana Dusbiber belittles the importance of reading the great works of Shakespeare, simply because she feels is does not “mirror” her students ethnic backgrounds as stated by Truesdale. Dusbiber’s argument that Shakespeare’s works are in simpler terms overrated to study and the hallmark of English courses due to white men who made them that is flawd. Her entire argument misses the mark, she doesn’t grasp the importance of Shakespeare, the “window” into different cultures and behaviors that should be observed and studied by students, regardless of socio-economic background and different ethnicity. Dusbiber’s argument “that a long-dead, British guy is the only writer who can teach students about the human condition” is narrow-minded. She ignores basic human nature, that over all hasn’t changed in the “450 years” since the time of Shakespeare. People still exhibit the same behaviors. Race isn’t the benchmark reason for studying Hamlet. It’s the behavior and passions the characters represent, that students can relate to today. There is rich diversity in Hamlet as it relates to societal and gender expectations. Hamlet is a literary canon because it exhibits the struggle of making hard, life-changing decisions which everyone can relate to. It represents the pain felt by the loss of someone you love. It represents the fickleness of love and obligation to family that is still seen today. It represents the betrayal of someone you trust. Hamlet is the very definition of literary canon, and the lessons on human behavior we can learn from this play is endless in my opinion and a value in the classroom.

B. “These tedious old fools.” (2.2.237)
This quote said by Hamlet, aside, is one of the most important quotes of the play because it follows the theme of insanity that plagues Hamlet throughout the play. The quote proves that the so-called insanity Hamlet emulates is nothing other than a character is playing for the traitorous and nosy characters of the play. Hamlet is able to basically say anything he wants, insults be damned, through the rouse of insanity. During the entire conservation Hamlet has with Polonius in this scene, he insults Polonius’ age/appearance as well as Ophelia’s virtue and instead of Polonius getting upset, Hamlet is placated because everyone believes him to be insane.

B.)"O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,/Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew" (1.2.133-134)
This quote, voiced by Hamlet is important and insightful to his emotions and thought process and how this develops throughout the rest of play. Hamlet's concept of death has developed from a means of escape, to a tool of justice and then later something viewed as more sacred in his eyes. The line above wraps around the constant appearance or mortality, morality, and the state of being or being nothing throughout Hamlet.

A)Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon not only because it is historically significant, due to being a part of Shakespeare’s many written plays, but because it offers a beautifully written way to study human connection, societal roles of the time, emotion, and the very basics of structuring a piece of literature. Hamlet, in a sense, offers it all. A student can look at Hamlet through many different perspectives. Perspectives in the psychological sense, the sociocultural sense, the historical sense, or more structurally to understand the ambiguity of why Shakespeare did what he did. I do believe that Hamlet should not be the only text used to understand these perspectives, but it is an extremely valuable text because it offers a multitude of ways to study it.
B)This quote foreshadows the entire plot of the play. At this point, Claudius is king of Denmark because he married Queen Gertrude. This means that he has control over all the people in Denmark, including Hamlet. Hamlet knows this is bad because he already feels that he should rightfully be king since he was next in line for the throne but once the ghost appears he knows for sure something is wrong. This line being spoken by Marcellus, an insignificant character, to Horatio adds an effect because the reader would not initially think much of it. Ironically enough, this line holds a tremendous amount of significance because of the way it sets up the rest of the play. This line connects to the theme of death and revenge in Hamlet because of the way it acknowledges that clearly something is not right and how there is going to need to be something done about it. The situation that is not right is the late King Hamlets death and how this ghost is appearing as him.

B)“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (1.4.100)

A. Hamlet is included in the English literary canon because in the play there is not just one theme for Hamlet there are multiple of themes that the readers want to see like revenge, death, integrity and loyalty. The main theme of this play is revenge which demonstrates psychological criticism. It reveals psychological criticism because of Hamlet’s motivation to kill his uncle Claudius for executing his father King Hamlet. Furthermore, Hamlet’s motivation for revenge comes from the death of his father.
B. “This above all: to thine own self be true” (1.3.84). The significance of this line is to be true and honest with oneself. This line connects with the theme integrity of the play because Hamlet was honest to Gertrude about how he felt about her marrying his uncle right after his father had died. Hamlet stayed true to what he believed was right. Another line that is significant is “Murder most foul, as in the best it is” (1.5.33). This line signifies that murder is the worst of crimes and killing one’s own brother makes it even worse. This line connects with the theme death of the play because Hamlet father did die at the hands of his own brother which is Claudius.

A) Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because of the literary craftmanship of Shakespeare. He includes struggles of dealing with death, unwelcomed family members and unrequited love. These problems are things people from all walks of life have dealt and deal with; Hamlet unravels universal human struggles but with extreme outcomes. People, like Dana Dusbiber, argue that Hamlet is not relatable to people of color due to the fact our Danish Prince is white and comes from a rich background therefore the play should not be included in English curriculum. However, Matthew Truesdale refutes her point in pointing out the emotions portrayed in the play are things us as humans feel and not what only white people feel. Another reason why Hamlet is cannon is because of the inclusion of literary devices and complex language. Metaphors, similes, synecdoches, metonyms and many more are seen in the play. Literary devices are essential in understanding English literature. With Hamlet showcasing plenty examples, it exposes readers to higher level literary devices thus increasing their knowledge of literature.
B) "The play's the thing"-Hamlet (2.2.628-29). This line is significant because this is when Hamlet comes to an epiphany to solidify what Ghost has told him. This line contributes to the overall theme of ignorance. There is ton of ignorance going on in the play. The other characters are ignorant to Ghost, Hamlet is unaware Ophelia truly cares for him, and Hamlet is ignorant to the truth behind Ghost's words about the death of King Hamlet.

B) "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." (2.3.195) This quote from Act II Scrne III is spoken by Polonius to the audience, as he is having a conversation with Hamlet. Polonius realizes that Hamlet could be purposely acting mad, but has the reasoning for this behavior completely wrong. He believes that Hamlet is pretending to be crazy because he is so distraught by Ophelia’s rejection. While Polonius is incorrect about his accusation, the quote out of context is very relevant to the story as a whole. Through the entirety of the play, Hamlet’s madness gradually grows as he comes closer and closer to taking his revenge on Claudius and struggles with contemplating suicide. This quote raises the question of whether or not Hamlet’s behavior truly has a “method” or if it is just a byproduct of his broken family/personal relationships and the loss of a loved one. The motivation behind Hamlet’s madness is a topic that can be thoroughly examined and argued from a variety of different approaches, making this quote more of a discussions starter than a turning point in the plot.

1. Hamlet is a part of the literary canon because of the way it tackles complexities seen in daily life. This is presented through its various themes and thought provoking ways of how commonalities in life are seen. As well as how Shakespeare is able to provide many examples of figurative language and literary devices. This can be seen it’s many scenes or immediately in the first line of “Who’s there?” Which can hint to the reader the way Shakespeare is able to insert thought provoking questions into the play.

2. One of the most significant lines in Hamlet is, “But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” This represents the immediate struggle that begins for the rest of the play. This struggle is one that is represented for many monarchies throughout the world and in this case, this is represented for Hamlet. He cannot share his feelings with others for he knows the repercussions that will follow suit, which would be the fall of the Denmark monarchy.

1. Hamlet is included in English Literary Canon because of the quality of writing and Shakespeare’s stories about human experience. As stated by Matthew Truesdale, Shakespeare’s writing can applied to all kinds of people despite his work being written 450 years ago. Dana Dusbbiber noted that Shakespeare wrote in an early form of English language. Reading this language today pushes readers to decipher more difficult texts. Reading this older version of English also allows for study of the evolution of the English language. Understanding how the language has evolved and being able to read its older versions, give people a stronger grasp of the English language in its current form. Hamlet includes many aspects of human experience that are still applicable to people today. People still deal with rage, revenge, losing a parent, and depression.

2. Marcellus: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” This quote is the most important because it foreshadowed the major conflict of the play and the events that would take play as a result. The line foreshadowed that something bad was in Denmark. The Ghost told Hamlet that he was killed by Claudius. This was later confirmed after Hamlet and Horatio saw Claudius’ reaction to the mousetrap. The word “rotten” refers to multiple aspects of Claudius’ actions. The way that Claudius got his power was rotten, which means the power hierarchy in Denmark is corrupt. The fact that Claudius married his brother’s wife is another aspect of the rottenness he displayed in the play.

A) Hamlet is considered to be part of the English literary canon because it includes multiple pieces of information as well as a background on traditional English life and the roles of different groups of individuals at the time. With the development of society in terms of social status and more, it remains extremely important to understand how society has improved and what it has touched on. Plays such as Hamlet display how gender, wealth, class, race, and more played such a large role at the time which allows readers to apply these standards to modern time. Many of the criticisms in Shakespeare emerge from the lack of diversity among characters and the outdated style of the texts. However, I believe it is still important to promote the use of Shakespeare within the classroom to see how life was different in the past.
B) "Haste me to know 't, that I, with wings as swift
As meditation or the thoughts of love,
May sweep to my revenge. " Act 1 Scene 5 Lines 31-37
After speaking with the ghost of his father for the first time, Hamlet makes it clear that he intends to avenge his father's death by killing Claudius. This remains Hamlet's main goal for the remainder of the play and ultimately leads to many of his bursts of insanity and desire to kill Claudius once and for all. This can be attributed to the theme of revenge which remains a big part of Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras agendas due to the deaths of all their fathers at various times in the play. Thus, Hamlet sets the bar for the most desirable way of revenge not just for himself, but for others in the play dealing with hardship as well.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the English literary canon as, “the list of works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality”. Hamlet has been included in this due to its wide range of themes present. Hamlet displays the theme of revenge at a level that set a precedent for all books to follow, both Hamlet and Laertes had their fathers killed and did everything they could to try to punish the person who commited the crime. Another theme that set a standard was Hamlet's theme of insanity, in the playwright the reader watches the gradual fall into insanity by Ophelia that leads to her eventual suicide. This was a drastic switch in how the character acted and lead future authors to follow suit.


Hamlet: “Denmark’s a prison.” (2.2.247) This line is significant because it highlights Hamlet’s disdain for the new King of Denmark, Claudius. Hamlet believes Claudius is a murderer and does not deserve to be King because he is running the country improperly. Claudius is placing restrictions on Hamlet that make him feel like he is not allowed to do anything, similar to how a prisoner feels inside a prison.

Hamlet is included in the literary canon because of its complex characters . Hamlets complex characters like Hamlet himself or Ophelia still resonate with us till this day. Looking into Hamlets character we see that he is more than just the prince of Denmark, he is a man who is very anxious about death. Also, for example Ophelia, who has no backstory, we can look at this character through different perspectives to go into her as a complex character. For the reason of Hamlet having complex characters that can be seen from different perspectives, it is justifiably in the English Literary Canon.
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” This line is spoken by Marcellus in Act I, scene iv (67) this line represents the work as a whole, by having the murder of King Hamlet as he main thing that is rotten. This carries out throughout the play with Claudius being a snake and hiding the fact that he killed the King.

A. Hamlet should be included in the English literary Canon because of its relevance and the ability to still challenge the reader over four hundred years after it’s making. The story of Hamlet has been recycled with the making of the Lion King and has had modern adaptations with the 2000 version of Hamlet. The story is still being told to this day and has recently been applied to a modern situation which shows the lasting impact Hamlet has made. Also, according to English teacher Matthew Truesdale, Shakespeare still challenges the reader and that is very apparent within Hamlet. Many instances within the play are still to this day up for interpretation like Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” speech and if Hamlet is discussing suicide or taking action on Claudius.
B. “I am justly killed with mine own treachery” (5.2.337) is said by Laertes when Hamlet kills him with the sword that Laertes and Claudius poisoned. Shortly after this happens, Laertes and Hamlet apologize to each other for the killing they have done. This line shows Laertes regretting his hasty plan with Claudius to kill Hamlet and feels that he deserves to die. This quote ties into the theme of revenge because Laertes was in the duel with Hamlet to get revenge for Polonius’ murder, but he ended up on the receiving end of revenge for killing Hamlet.

A) Hamlet should be included in the literary canon because of its relevance to the lives of those reading it, no matter what time period it is being read in, as argued by Matthew Truesdale. The play is a good representation of challenges faced by many people in society and shows examples of many different ways that characters could respond to adversity such as with anger, madness, or depression. An instance in which a character responded in a notable way to a challenge was when Hamlet lost his temper with his mother, Gertrude. He was very upset with her for not grieving the death of his father, and quickly moving on to marry his uncle. He grew very angry with her in a confrontation which escalated very quickly, resulting in him killing Polonius behind the curtain.
B) "A little more than kin, and less than kind." (1.2)
This line is significant because not only is it Hamlet's first line of the play, but it shows Hamlet's attitude toward his situation. He is expressing anger toward Claudius for marrying his mother so soon after the death of his father, saying that Claudius may be a little bit more than an uncle or cousin to him because he is now technically his step-father, but he will never receive the respect from Hamlet that he showed toward his late father, King Hamlet. This foreshadows other events in the play because he majority of the plot is leading up to Hamlet killing Claudius.

A. The literary canon includes a wide variety of texts throughout history and Hamlet is an important text that should be included. First, Shakespeare is possibly one of the most well known writers of all time and also one of the most important for his timeless stories and compelling characters. Hamlet teaches its readers unique and prominent lessons that I feel are important for modern day readers to understand today. Hamlet was also a relatable character because of all his imperfections that we see evident throughout the play. The most significant of these imperfections is that he is unable to make a decision, which helps to guide the plot along. Hamlet, although from a different time, includes timeless themes, lessons, and characters that are still applicable to society today and therefore should be in the literary canon.
B. “I am justly killed with mine own treachery.” (5.2.337) Laertes delivers this line after he is stabbed by Hamlet with his own poisoned sword. Like all of the deceptive characters such as Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Hamlet, Laertes dies because of his own deception. None of the characters in Hamlet could really be trusted thus they all ended dying as a result of their flaws. The theme of deceit is one of the most important in Hamlet, because the plot revolves around the idea of deception.

a. A literary canon can be defined as "a body of books, narratives and other texts considered to be the most important and influential of a particular time period and place." Although us young people may not see Shakespeare as something we would choose to read, when we do or any other age group does, it is often a rewarding experience. Those who saw Hamlet when it was first put onto stage, most likely saw it as history being made and I'm sure it was full of people since they often didn't have things like that like how we have movie theaters. It connects to people in many different ways like falling deeply in love, rejection, depression, anxiety, and mourning of a loved one. It makes us think about our lives. An example would be how Hamlet would go from loving to yelling at Ophelia and I'm sure many of us have experienced someone who would changed their mind often resulting in pain or hurt. I do feel like it is very outdated when it comes to diversity and how Hamlet represents women but it does allow us to compare life back then to life now.
b. I believe the most important line is "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" not only does this foreshadow the bad events coming, its connects to the death theme of Hamlet. At the end, there are multiple deaths, and "rotten" can refer to the decomposition of the bodies. It shows that people are corrupt in Denmark but at first we don't know who and that Hamlets fathers ghost is seeking revenge which will only end bad.

A. (I feel like I wrote a little more than necessary for this, but no point in getting rid of it now)
My argument for including Beowulf in the literary canon was based on its numerous adaptations and historical significance. If Beowulf is included based on these reasons, it would not make sense to omit Hamlet. Every major Shakespearean work, including Hamlet, has been remade into a movie or other medium, many more than once. It is not an understatement to say that Shakespeare is one of the most influential figures to have shaped today's culture. Or at least, the culture that I have been exposed to.
Hamlet does present strong universal themes, but it makes sense to take issue with it being written by a white man 450 years ago, most likely intended for white actors and white audiences. Not everyone can relate to that, and not everyone should have to. Looking beyond the racial aspect, many non-native English speakers must have trouble reading and understanding Shakespeare, considering most native English speakers do as well. This has its equivalences in other cultures, with elements like dialects of the language a work is written in, translation issues, obsolete words and phrases, etc. So why do we include Shakespeare then?
Shakespeare, or specifically Hamlet in this case, is included because the English Literary Canon is just a list. There's no set limit to how many things can be on this list at a time (as far as I know). There is no question that we should include works from other cultures, because other people can relate to them, and because they are significant to other people. Despite this, we should not remove works from the canon just because not everyone can relate to them. If anything, they should be kept because they can force people to understand different perspectives than their own. Whether Shakespeare should be included in the common core English Language Arts curriculum, however, is a different argument.

A) Hamlet is included partly because it is only fitting that the work of one of the most renowned figures in English literature is included in the English Literary Canon. Of course this specific play isn’t just included because of his reputation- it is part of the Canon because of the way his words speak to people. Though some may disagree, there are many people who feel as though Shakespeare’s work relates to them in some way. I highly doubt that there are people who have experienced what Hamlet has gone through, but I am certain that there are people who have felt the way Hamlet feels. Whether it is anger, depression, hesitation, or a feeling of vengeance, some of us can relate to Hamlet on an emotional level. The fact that readers are able to relate to the characters emotionally, rather than through experience is a major reason that Shakespeare’s work is still relatable today. I mean, how can natural human emotions change over 450 years? Overall, Shakespeare’s ability to explore natural human feelings (even if it is overdramatized at times) and the human condition makes his work timeless and well deserving of its place in the Literary Canon.

B) “Conscience doth make cowards of us all.” –Hamlet
This quote is a line from Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy. In this specific speech, Hamlet is stating that the fear of death makes us all cowards. Though in his soliloquy, Hamlet is most likely talking about his fear of dying because he does not know what will happen after death, he could also be expressing his fear of murdering Claudius. He may fear killing Claudius because he does not know what will happen once he does. An overarching theme in the play is the concept of death. This idea is thoroughly explored by Hamlet as he struggles dealing with his father’s death and his duty to avenge his father.

a) "Hamlet" is included in the English Literary Canon due its undying relevance among high school students especially, even through the 450 years since it has been written. Dara Dusbiber, a high school English teacher, uses this fact to discredit Shakespeare's writing by saying that there are better works out there "that better speaks to the needs of my very ethnically-diverse and wonderfully curious modern-day students." Matthew Truesdale, an English teacher from the same city as Dusbiber, properly refutes her claims by stating, "Ethnically diverse students don't foolishly fall in love and over-dramatize every facel of that experience?...Or act desperately out of passion?" All of these examples are something that almost everyone can relate too, and is even better for high school students our age to read to help them understand their feelings or see that it's not just them. This is present in "Hamlet" with his "To be, or no to be" speech which shows Hamlet facing a difficult choice in his life, which many people can relate to dealing with, even if it's not to the same degree as Hamlet's, hopefully.
b) "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." (1.5.100)
This line is spoken by Marcellus to Horatio when they speak about whether or not to follow the ghost and Hamlet. This quote is important due to its reference to if the ghost is a bad omen for Denmark, and its connection to the overall theme of the story that is the issue of the illegitimacy of who is running Denmark.

a) Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon due to its relevance and abstract evaluation of common dilemmas. According to Matthew Truesdale, just because Shakespeare wrote over 450 years ago, doesn’t mean it has no correlation to our society today. If the duration in which a piece was written was significant, then why bother to abide by the principles written in religious texts. Shakespeare was indeed a mastermind regarding constructing figuratively profound literature. The character Hamlet, expresses a variety of emotions throughout the play, in which can be mirrored by our everyday lives. As young people navigate the feelings of love, death, and self-satisfaction which can be seen through eyes of Hamlet. Shakespeare’s pieces are humane, progressive and accurate portrayals of race and gender. Therefore, the themes that are evident within Hamlet should be studied by all students as a form of preparation for the real-world, as the ideas within the play are extremely applicable to the cycle of life.

b) “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (1.4.100) These lines recited by Marcellus are extremely significant, as they set the underlying principles of corruption and inevitable fate. Although the lines appear at the beginning of the play, the fundamental ideas exist throughout. For example, the “something” that is initially rotten in the state of Denmark could be viewed as King Hamlet’s flesh and the malicious mind of Claudius. On the other hand, at the end of the play, each character faces their fate as they all perish in a variety of ways.

A. Although Hamlet is an old text, it's relevance keeps it's stance in the English Literary Canon. Shakespeare's influence in literature persuades the minds of readers who could be going through a similar situation. Due to it's famous quotes and relevance, this tragedy has become one of the world's greatest literature. Shakespeare's work may be hard to relate with people today, but his plays seem to have an influence in today's society if the 400 year old text still is ranked one of the best pieces of literature. Although not everyone can relate to the Prince of Denmark, we all still have issues that go on within our lives that question how we can justify the actions that have be made and how to make them right.

B. "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." (2.2) This line is significant because it relates to overthinking and how Hamlet is trapped in his own mind, making him a prisoner. Hamlet is only wishing he was ignorant to the entire situation going on around him, but also wants to get justice for his father's death. To Hamlet, Denmark is equivalent to a prison because of the freedom he no longer has due to Claudius and his restrictions on Hamlet. This quote describes the injustices that are going on around him and how they will potentially affect his life forever. The actions Hamlet will have to take may be extreme, but he is certain to justify the wrongs that have been done due to the actions of someone else.

A. Yes Hamlet should be in the English literary canon. As Truesdale stated Shakespeare writes for a universal human experience. Specifically, Hamlet has basic universal themes of death, revenge, and love. Shakespeares writing transcends race, age, and time. Even from an historical perspective, Shakespeare provides a vast and progressive perspective on the time in which it was written. Hamlet can be examined through many lenses, psychological, formalistic, historical, and sociological approaches. Despite being so universal, Hamlet is still unique amongst the works produced of the time. Hamlet is no generic epic story. Shakespeare excellent story telling establishes tension within the first line, and artfully maintains the quality throughout the story. Hamlet maintains a sense of amibiguity, welcoming the several adaptations that have occurred hundreds of years following its publication. The ambiguity allows the reader to form their own opinions and perceptions of the text applying it through to their own human experience.

a) Hamlet is included in the literary canon because the principles and themes within the novel are applicable to anyone from any time period. Unlike Dara Dusbiber’s view, whether or not Hamlet was written by a white man does not matter as the basic ideas promoted by Hamlet can be applied to anyone of any ethnicity. The ideas in Hamlet are universal and are not, and should not, be constrained by the thought that Hamlet’s messages are only applicable to a certain time period.
b) “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscious of the king (2.2.601-603).” These lines are significant because it is when Hamlet tells the audience how he is planning on confirming Claudius’s guilt. Up until this point in time of the play Hamlet had not made a real move to put his plan for revenge in play. However, his special instructions to the actors for the play show first, a shift in Hamlet’s character as someone who is ready to take action and second, a shift in the plot as the play starts this snowball effect with the start of action.

A. Hamlet is in the literary cannon because Shakespeare incorporated universal themes that apply to every generation. As Truesdale noted, Hamlet experiences loss and express the typical enotions that follow. Although Dusbibber had a point that Shakespeare is old, and that we must be exposed to literature from other cultures, Hamlet can be relatable to people in modern times, Even though it was written 450 years ago, the struggle Hamlet faces after losing his father, within in his family, and his problems with Ophelia are not uncommon today in all cultures. Shakespeare is a classic for a reason, it expands the mind of those who read his work and establishes important themes in literature.

B. “A little more than kin and less than kind.” (1.2.65)
This quote is said by Hamlet in response to Claudius. He is using a play on words to imply that Claudius is only closer to him through marrying Gertrude. Hamlet is upset by this arrangement but he knows he cannot directly express his feelings, as he is the prince and Claudius is the king of Denmark. This establishes the lack of communication that will be carried throughout the play and ultimately result in the final bloodbath. Hamlet’s inability to express himself leads to his “insanity” and the intricate murder plots established by various characters.

A. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because Hamlet is a huge influence on modern day novels and Hamlet displays William Shakespeare’s powerful writing. In Hamlet there are issues that we still see to this day like revenge and violence, and with added plot twists, it makes up to be one of Shakespeare’s best plays. People could and can still relate to the prevalent themes in Shakespeare’s works and Shakespeare’s worldwide recognition as an author earns him a spot in the English literary canon. But there are people who question Hamlet’s place of honor in the literary canon like, Dana Dusbiber says how we should start focusing on Literature from Latin America and Southeast Asia and even more since so many students in America come from these languages and traditions. However, Matthew Truesdale, an English teacher, disagrees and says, “Where does it say we can’t teach Shakespeare AND oral African tradition?” Truesdale brings up the point that we cannot simply discredit Shakespeare’s work because he is white and old, in his writing even his diverse portrayal of race and gender shows signs of progressiveness and “he has much to teach us about modern human condition”
B.” Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth, of earth we make loam, and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer barrel?” (Act V, scene i). In this quote, Hamlet is at the graveyard looking at a skull, when the gravedigger tells him that is Yorick’s’ skull, someone Hamlet knew, he realizes that all men will eventually turn to dust and even great kings like Alexander the Great. This quote is important because death is a huge theme in Hamlet and Hamlet looking at the skull can represent himself looking directly at death itself and his desire to commit suicide. Hamlet realizes the inevitability of death and his outlook on death matures.

B. “Who’s there? (1.1.1). The first line of the play established the tone for the entire play. Shakespeare establishes tension in the story that will soon unfold and gives context to the events which occurred prior. Denmark is in havoc. Before the reader is introduced to Hamlet or any of the main cast the story has elements of suspicion and ambiguity. The theme is carried throughout the story. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony amongst the main characters to further the ambiguous tone. It is something to be noted that the first and last lines of the play were not spoken by Hamlet, Claudius or any other significant character, fully sealing their fates and the rebirth of Denmark.

A: Hamlet is (and should) included in the English Literary Canon due to it's relevance to modern problems we face each day. This has been argued in the segment of the article by Matt Truesdale. One of his main points were that the play was a good representation of everyday challenges people face. An example of this is Hamlet being rejected by Ophelia (his crush)

B. "A little more than kin, and less than kind." (1.2)
This line is significant because it introduces a character and a theme at the same time. This is hamlet's first line and gives us insight on his attitude towards the king. This connects to the theme of Hamlet's hatred towards his unwanted (and unexpected) new family member by saying how claudius is actually close to him in relation however he still despises him.

A) I believe that Hamlet should be in the literary canon because it does provide thoughtful insight into the human condition. Hamlet is a story of jealousy and rage which is applicable and useful to teachings as Matthew Truesdale said. Though I believe it should be included in the literary canon, which is the question asked, However I do not believe that it should be required to be taught in schools. Dana Dusbiber argued that translations and oral traditions from various parts of the world, such as Africa and South Asia, are equally relevant in regards of their commentary of human behavior, yet are scarcely taught in school. She also argues that she is a teacher of primarily students of color, they should be taught works that better reflects them and that white students should be opened up to a world of diversity. In response Truesdale argues that all students, including those of color, should be taught Shakespeare works because he cannot properly push his students if “I’m only ever holding up a mirror. Windows are good, too”. I, for one, have attended facilities that have had primarily students of color, and every year since sixth grade, we have studied a Shakespearean work. That is my window and is the window I’ve looked through my entire life, and will most likely continue to throughout college. The only “mirror’s”, I’ve ever seen are 9/11 videos shown in class. Throughout everyone’s educational experience, white authors and Western canon will always be the standard, in and out of high school, so if there’s opportunity to widen a students horizon or to have them experience literature that properly represents them, I think it should be done. I don’t think Shakespeare, or more specifically Hamlet should be disregarded but I don’t think it should be mandatory or prioritized that way that it is.

B) "The rest is silence" This line is significant because these are Hamlet's last lines before his death. He spends his last few minutes thinking about life after death rather than the end of his life. In spite of all the speech he's said throughout the play and in his death, he still has little understanding about life or life after death of which he's spent a good portion of the play pondering, trying to understand death.

1. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because of its language, and complex characters along with many themes of love, treachery, and mortality still entertain readers today. Shakespeare created a range of emotions featured throughout his work and his ability to create “multilayered characters” such as hamlet is why we need to appreciate a play so ahead of its time. Hamlet should be considered part of the literary cannon because it is so complex and offers a lot to study and understand.

2. The most significant lines in Hamlet is, "Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?" (3.1.131) because it tells the audience how greatly hamlet is truly affected by the death of his father, this is the turning point in the play where hamlet see’s all women as equally evil, including his mother. These lines reveal that Hamlet considerers everyone to be living in a rotten world.

A. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because of how Shakespeare uses both formal and informal language to create variation within the text, which makes the dialogue seem very natural. The colloquial language helps the reader understand the Old-English, which in turn helps them understand how the characters interact with each other and how the plot progresses. Despite the many tragic events within Hamlet, Shakespeare still managed to slip puns and humor in which makes the play very entertaining. Hamlet is a play that can be easily understood by any high schooler, with or without previous exposure to Old-English or other Shakespeare texts.
B. After Hamlet speaks to the ghost, Marcellus says “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. This line is by far one of the most significant lines in the entire play. Although it is spoken in the very beginning of the play, the line foreshadows the tragic events to come. This “rot” is King Claudius. All was well in Denmark until he poisoned King Hamlet, his own brother. He then married his sister-in-law and began plotting to kill his step-son/nephew. This causes Hamlet to go insane, which eventually leads him to kill Polonius. As a result, Ophelia killed herself and Laertes returned to kill Hamlet. The play ends in the death of all but one main character. That single line, which was spoken by a somewhat insignificant character, foreshadowed the entire plot of the play.

1. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because of its historical significance, which can be comprehensively understood through the use of the historical literary criticism. Regardless of its overdramatization of events, Hamlet serves as a window into the past, specifically for fifteenth to sixteenth-century England. The dialogue of Hamlet is filled with various colloquialisms and double entendres that Shakespeare uses to masterfully convey information in a sarcastic and amusing manner in both comedic and serious situations. For instance, in Act 2, Scene 2, Hamlet says the following line to Polonius “You are a fishmonger” (2.2.190). This statement’s ambiguity arises from the factnthat Hamlet could be calling Polonius a person who sells fish, and thus of a lower class, or that he smells like fish, and thus frequents or manages brothels. Shakespeare’s use of puns is also prevalent in Hamlet’s sexual innuendo-ridden remarks to Ophelia, such as before “The Mousetrap” scene. Before this play-within-a-play begins, Hamlet asks Ophelia “Do you think I meant country matters?” (3.2.123). Here, Hamlet is jabbing at Ophelia by making a pun on the phrase “country matters,” which could mean either matters of the state or, simply put, sexual intercourse. Therefore, Shakespeare’s expert use of wordplay in Hamlet effectively opens a door into the world of the past, so the inclusion of Hamlet in the English Literary Canon is unsurprising, to say the least.

A. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because Hamlet focuses on human behavior that is still relevent today. It’s themes throughout the play are relatable - love, grief, revenge, etc. These are emotions and feelings that everyone can apply to their own lives. A post by Matthew Truesdale explains Shakespeare’s work “has much to teach us about the modern human condition.” Hamlet is significant because of the way Shakespeare portrays those emotions throughout the play and through different characters. He is able to show how different characters react to similar feelings and what that shows about them as characters. Even though the storyline may not be very relatable, the feelings and emotions the characters feel are. Shakespeare captivates people through the passion that he is able to evoke into characters making each reader feel connected to the story in some way.
B. “Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move. Doubt truth to be a liar. But never doubt I love” – Polonius Act II, Scene II. Polonius reads this to Gertrude and Claudius from Hamlet’s letter to Ophelia. In this line, Hamlet is saying you can doubt all the truths in the universe but do not doubt my love for you. The theme of love is clearly represented by these lines. Hamlet expresses his love for Ophelia. Yet, the parents of the writer and receiver of the letter are the ones analyzing it. This represents the mistrust that they feel towards Hamlet based on his erratic behavior.

2. "The time is out of joint.” (1.5.210). Here, Hamlet is summarizing all of the issues presented within the first act of the play into a single, short sentence. As of this moment in the play, Denmark has about a million problems, most notably the lack of mourning for the dead king, an incestuous marriage between Hamlet’s dead father’s widow Gertrude and his uncle Claudius, and Fortinbras’ threat of invading Denmark to reclaim the lands taken from his father. To top it all off, a ghost wearing the king’s armor who claims to be Hamlet’s dead father tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him, and he wants Hamlet to enact revenge on Claudius. So, in more simple words, the timing of everything that is happening sucks, and Hamlet has to deal with it all. Hamlet expresses his discontent toward this situation in his next sentence: “O cursed spite / That ever I was born to set it right!” (1.5.211). This overwhelming responsibility is a recurring theme of the play, and Hamlet’s plans to confront, as well as his subsequent confrontation of, these issues are the basis of the majority of the play’s integral conflicts.

Hamlet is included in the literary cannon due to the multiple purposes it can serve. The play incorporates many life lessons, complex English, and teaches people about the “modern human condition.” The complexities shown in Hamlet leave readers to interpret and create their own theories, which is necessary to teach students. English teacher, Dana Disbiber claimed that Shakespeare should no longer be taught due to lack of diversity and outdated messages. While these points are plausible, Matthew Truesdale’s response shuts it down. He said, “Ethnically diverse students don’t foolishly fall in love and over-dramatize…?” This point is crucial because it touches on how Shakespeare’s messages can connect to all students. Work that is old can be called into question, but when all of the principles stated still apply and can incite conversation, it is important to learn.


“The soldiers' music and the rites of war, Speak loudly for him.”

This quote is arguably the most significant quote of this play. Obviously Fortinbras is honoring Hamlet but this also serves other meanings. Hamlet wanted to get revenge on Claudius for the majority of the play, which he did by killing him. However, this quote by Fortinbras really shows the true revenge he got on Claudius. By killing him, nothing is truly accomplished. Placing the image of a terrible person on him for the rest of eternity is the real revenge. In the end, Claudius is a known murderer and Hamlet will forever be honored.

1. Hamlet is considered a literary canon due to its universal themes, criticism of gender, and providing a look into history. Throughout the play, Hamlet touches on many universal themes including love, loss, and revenge. Hamlet is very distraught after his mother marries King Claudius so shortly after his father's death, it makes him wonder about her love. Also, Ophelia struggled with her love for Hamlet and her families extreme disapproval of their relationship. Hamlet's love for his father was the motivation behind his need for revenge. Loss is a repetitive theme that is not hard to see in Hamlet due to the presence of so many deaths. The play itself revolves around the death of King Hamlet from the beginning, without him there would be no plot. Then as the play continues, we have the death of Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, King Claudius, Laertes, Gertrude, and Hamlet himself. The play forces the reader to think about human mortality and nobody has the ability to avoid it. Revenge is also a prominent theme, one which also strongly applies to the plot because of Hamlet's need to get revenge on King Claudius for the death of his father. All of these themes contribute to Hamlet being a literary canon because humans struggle with these problems during any time period. During the play, women were often sexualized and portrayed as weaker inferior beings. Hamlet often spoke down to his lover Ophelia and spoke to her in sexual ways that made her uncomfortable. His mother Gertrude was also portrayed in ways that made her oblivious and inferior to ways of the men around her like King Claudius. Literary canons often show societal imbalance between genders. Lastly, literary canons are read throughout time, no matter the time they were written. Hamlet is examined in literary courses today and provides a look into history. It reveals the gender roles, class structure, and more regarding the time it was written.

2. One of the most significant lines from Hamlet comes from his famous soliloquy “To be or not to be-that is the question”(3.1.64) Hamlet is debating whether it is best to live or to die. He is disgusted by all of the recent happenings around him. His father has been killed by his uncle, who his mother married after the murder. Hamlet wonders if it would be easier to just end all his struggles by killing himself or to live on while suffering. He thinks that killing himself is a questionable option because it is unknown what happens after death. The quote connects with the consistent theme of death throughout the play because Hamlet goes through an analysis of death and its meaning. Also, it is ironic that Hamlet so deeply thinks about killing himself because he is killed either way in the end, so there is no need for “the question” in the first place. The quote foreshadows the wave of death that comes for the characters in the end, taking the lives of Laertes, King Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet himself.

A. Hamlet is included in the literary canon because of its and Shakespeare’s influence on all of literature. Many authors have had an impact on literature as a whole throughout their lives, but none more so than Shakespeare, and one of his most widely known works, Hamlet. The reason Hamlet is so widely known is because of the way it looks at how people act when in situations of distress and what they are willing to do for something they believe is right.
B. “As harbingers preceding still the fates
And prologue to the omen coming on,
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated
Unto our climatures and countrymen.” (1.1.135-138) This is a quote spoken by Horatio in the first act and can be seen as foreshadowing what is to come later in the play and the deaths and tragedies yet to come.

A. Hamlet is included in the literary canon because it is written by a brilliant playwright, William Shakespeare. However, it’s not just the fact that the Hamlet is written by Shakespeare, it’s how he masters the English language and creates a wonderfully crafted tragedy. In Hamlet, Shakespeare is able to weave many themes into the plot. From death to revenge, there are many themes to explore. The fact that there are many themes allows us to study the work in a more critical and in-depth way. For example, Hamlet struggles with death, and whether it is worth it to live. However, he also struggles with taking revenge. Despite the complex structure of the work which motivates a deeper understanding, some, such as Dana Dusbiber, believe that we should not study Shakespeare because it has no relation to today’s way of living. However, I believe that Hamlet should be in the literary canon. To say it should not be studied because it’s old is to say we should forget history. If there’s one thing that society has learned, it’s that we can learn from history.

B. A significant line from Hamlet is when Marcellus says, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” This line is significant because it foreshadows the rest of the play. Indeed, something is rotten in Denmark. Claudius has killed his brother and married his wife. This causes other characters to become “rotten”, such as Hamlet, who kills Polonius. This indirectly leads to the death of Ophelia. In the end of the book, each character has a rotten desire, and it ends up leaving them all dead. Gertrude, who married her husband’s brother, dies. Laertes, who intended to poison Hamlet, dies. Claudius, who also intended to poison hamlet, killed his brother, and married his wife, dies. Polonius, who tried to forbid his daughter from seeing someone, dies. Hamlet, who tried to get revenge on Claudius, dies. This line clearly connects with the theme of death, as it foreshadows many deaths later in the play.

a) I feel as though Hamlet should be included in the literary cannon due to the fact that its universal themes will still apply to any time period. This epic play that Shakespeare has composed will never go out dated. These , many themes allow readers to go in - depth with the text and continue to view the play at many different angles. Alike what Truesdale stated, Hamlet shares the same emotions and losses that the average kid can somewhat relate to.
b) "o most wicked speed, to post/ with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! / It is not nor it cannot come to good/ But break my heart , for I must hold my tongue" This is Hamlets soliloquy: he is stating how he cannot bare his mothers and king Polonius relationship. Which relates back to the theme of disgust that Hamlet has with Polonius due to the fact that he stole the throne from him, killed his father, and is now married to his mother.

Hamlet is considered to be in the literary canon because it has been able to connect and reach out to students and readers for over 400 years. Shakespeare included many different themes about morals in Hamlet such as revenge, family and war. While not everyone may go through these specific themes, it is amazing that Hamlet can still connect to the experiences of many of its readers. While Hamlet does have very special themes that connect to the entirety of the plot, it is not the only book in the world with said themes. There are many critics of including Shakespeare in the English curriculum because there are many other more modern works that could convey the same themes better because it is less old. Shakespeare did not patent the themes or ideas in Hamlet. Those same themes have been used countlessly in modern works. Critics argue that is it even worth reading Shakespeare because there is someone else who could do the same thing in a more modern sense of the word.

The most important line in the play is the line "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." This line foreshadows the entire plot of story from the murders at the end and beginning of the play. The line is first said in the first act by Marcellus, a guardsmen who witnesses the late King Hamlet's ghost walking around the Elsinore castle. Ghost were not to be believed in, they were perceived more as demons in disguise. This is where the line comes from, but I'm certain that when Marcellus first said the line, he had no idea what was truly going to happen to Denmark. I think the line completely sets up the play by giving it a very mysterious mood making the reader anxious as to what is going to happen next.

Reason for inclusion in literary canon:

Hamlet is included in the literary Canon because of its relevance in today's society. In Hamlet, we see certain characters representing what life is like now. One example is Hamlet. Hamlet, the main character of this play, suffers depression due to the loss of his father. Throughout the play, we see Hamlet contemplate suicides due to his lower self esteem, this is related to today's society of how a loss of a loved one can cause a person to be depressed. Their lives may seem to them as useless because they don't have their love ones anymore, it could potentially cause lonliness amongst a person and their relationship with others could possibly break. We see similar situation, as Hamlet found out his father's death, he became saddened and gone "insane" which then cause his relationship with Ophelia to break. Another example of how Hamlet can relate to today's society is through the character of Ophelia. This will go a bit into the gender criticism lens. In society, what still happens is that women by some are treated as less than equal which leaves the women powerless in terms of their decision. This also happens in Hamlet, through the character of Ophelia. Ophelia makes a decision to go out with Hamlet but ultimately decides to break up. The reason could potentially lead to Polonious and Laertes, telling her not to go out with Hamlet regarding his insanity. This happens in today's society somehow by maybe a father of a daughter told the daughter that they can't do something and the daughters are left powerless. Even though these examples may not fit everyone in this society, but they do exist in some way which would regard Hamlet as a piece part of the literary canon.

Quote and it's significance:

I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is
southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.
(2.2.313)

This quote is significance because it refers to one of the theme of Hamlet, "Madness". This line directed at Rosencrantz and Gildenstern is significant because Hamlet has stated that like the wind occasionally from North - North - West, he has occasionally been struck with a case of Madness. In these lines he signals a warning, a warning that even insane, he could still be able to distinguish like and unlike things, that is, in this case, he is warning that he could be able to tell who is really his friend or whoever is his enemy.

a. Hamlet is included in the English Literary Canon because it is timeless and has universal themes that are still relevant today. Hamlet gives insight to the culture of the Elizabethan Era and the language of Elizabethan England. Even though the language is different it is relatable because of the insights to human condition and the themes of loss, mourning, revenge, love, and power. Hamlet provides a lens to view some of life’s greatest challenges and hardest moments and tactics to deal with those hardships. This causes people to connect with Hamlet, empathize with the characters so that this play appeals to everyone and not just the rich. Readers learn the purpose of life through the characters and plot. Hamlet should be included in the canon because of its creativity, artistic value, and high aesthetic quality. This play has been redone multiple times including film versions. Each version has different approaches that showcases unexpected things found in the play even after hundreds of years.
b. “The Serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.” This quote from Act 1 scene 5 is most important in showing the themes of political instability and power through matters of corruption. Claudius killed King Hamlet to feed his hunger for power over Denmark. This is very important because it shows why Hamlet went mad. This sets the scene for the disastrous downfall of Denmark. Everything that takes place after is because of Claudius’ initial action.