Discuss the theme of action in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Taking apart the question and analysing, or defining, almost every word is key in English Literature at A Level. It is important in this example to understand how one might manipulate the question, as to give an answer that is unique. Most students will answer this question by talking about what happens in Hamlet, which is of course the 'trap' of this question. It is important to be aware of what will impress the examiner marking the essay, for example some things to think about in general when answering this question (thematically) would be: Hamlet's action contrasted with his inactionGo further with the theme of inaction: how does his plotting revenge (and the duration of the plotting) ruin the revenge itself?Claudius' usurping the throne from Hamlet's Father Language analysis will of course further your answer, and the more specific analyses you offer, the better. For example, you might think about how Hamlet's use of simile, in anger, contributes to his inaction.