1. Hamlet Writing the Introduction and Conclusion

2. Writing an introduction. An introduction may be more than one paragraph, though in a short essay, it is typically only one. The thesis statement usually is placed at the very end of the introduction, or right after your hook statement at the start. NOT IN THE MIDDLE

3. More on introductions … A guideline to follow is that your introduction should contain at least five significant sentences, including your thesis statement.

4. All sentences should have weight and meaning. They may introduce background. They may introduce new concepts and/or definitions. They may provide transitions. They may introduce quotations. They may provide facts and support.

5. An effectively-written and well-organized introductory paragraph should act as a signpost for the rest of the paper.

6. V. Conclusion It is sometimes helpful to think of the conclusion as a reversal of your introduction. You may want to begin by rephrasing your thesis statement.

7. Example #1: Intro and Conclusion Puzzles consist of hundreds, sometimes thousands of pieces. Each piece, despite possibly being a solid color containing no intricate detail, is equally as important as the piece on either side of it. With a single piece missing, the work is incomplete. This idea can be applied to literature. Thousands of sentences are combined together to make the work of art whole. Removing one sentence, though short or seemingly unnecessary, could be detrimental to the story and its overall theme, tone, or message. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet provides a perfect example of this phenomenon. Young Prince Hamlet, in the midst of his plot for revenge, says, “What should a man do but be merry?” (III.ii 132­ 33). Out of context, this line appears meaningless, but, when considered in the context in which Hamlet uses it, the line conceals various schemes that make Hamlet a famous play and a play with such longevity. It weaves together plans conceived by multiple characters and is a pivotal point that develops the story’s plot, ultimately leading to the play’s climax. The To Be or Not To Be soliloquy is some of Shakespeare’s most memorable writing, and rightly so, but just because lines are not frequently discussed does not mean they cannot carry importance in respect to the play. Hamlet’s phrase ““What should a man do but be merry?” is an example of an unnoteworthy phrase that plays a big role in a Shakespeare play (III.ii 132­ 33). A simple statement by Hamlet containing only eight words contributes so much depth to the story and complicates various characters’ plans on different levels. Polonius must go to great lengths to prove his intelligence correct, the royal couple has reason to distrust Polonius, Claudius becomes suspicious of Hamlet’s behavior, and Hamlet is able to hatch his altered ­ play scheme all because of Hamlet’s contradictory merriment quote. It creates unity by weaving schemes together so they can culminate at the play’s climax while raising more questions and confusion at the same time. It is a small nugget of brilliance Shakespeare found necessary to put in this play to show that there is relevance in everything he writes.

8. Example #2: Intro and Conclusion In order for an audience to know what a character is thinking, the author must use a soliloquy so the characters thoughts and feelings are made known. Authors often use soliloquies to transition from one situation to the next, and to acknowledge how the character feels and what actions they plan to take. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the main character Hamlet goes through substantial character development throughout the play and expresses his many emotions and ideas through soliloquies. Hamlet himself has a total of seven soliloquies and each of them shows a new development in both the play and in Hamlets thoughts, but Hamlet is not the only character in the play who has had a soliloquy; King Claudius also has a famous soliloquy in the play. Shakespeare uses soliloquies to capture the critical moments in the play where the plot either thickens or changes, and how the character chooses to react. In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Shakespeare uses eight soliloquies to capture the thoughts and ideas of the characters, and to also capture the essential changes in the plot or action. Hamlet’s seven soliloquies give the audience the ability to connect and grow with Hamlet and they allowed them to understand the thought behind his actions. Claudius’s soliloquy gives the play more depth. It gives the perspective of the wrongdoers side, and it allows for another character to experience center stage and for the audience to focus solely on their thoughts. Without soliloquies, Hamlet would be a one dimensional play lacking a connection with the audience. Shakespeare created an intense and thoughtful play through the use of soliloquies, and he managed to not only capture the characters thoughts, but also the audience's attention.

9. Example #3: Intro and Conclusion Throughout history, a dominant patriarchal society has presided over the less powerful matriarchs of the world. Hamlet says, “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (I.ii.150) which he correlates to the weakness of his mother, Gertrude, and all other women. Women in the past have had smaller roles in society than men—more submissive and weaker roles. Men have ruled over women and ordered them to do what they wanted them to do. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the dominance of men is heavily prevalent through Hamlet, King Claudius, and Polonius. The women, on the other hand, might have small roles in the play, but they primarily have an important influence over the men and their actions despite their undermining dominance. Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, and Hamlet’s love, Ophelia, influence many decisions that Hamlet and the other men make throughout the play. They also influence the decisions that they make for themselves as well. Because of their presence and their major influence in Hamlet, everything that happens in this play occurs because of a woman. Clearly, Ophelia and Gertrude are not minor characters in Hamlet as they may seem. Even though the dominant culture holds men superior to women, the women in the play affect the men more than anything. Thus, the events that occur in the play happen because of a woman. Claudius kills his brother and marries Gertrude to acquire the throne which upsets Hamlet who feels betrayed by his mother. Gertrude continues to drive Hamlet crazy and leaves him no time to mourn or process the quick events in his life. Similarly, Gertrude sets up the betrayal of Hamlet’s longtime friends and Ophelia’s dependence leads to her suicide. All in all, both women account for Polonius’s death and for the death of Laertes, King Claudius, Hamlet, and Gertrude herself. Therefore, to conclude, never underestimate the power of women. As society might deem women less superior, women have the power, as seen in Hamlet, to change the events and decisions of a myriad of things.