English 12 Essay Prep

For our essay, we will be looking at two philosophers closely - Jean Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus. In the context of Hamlet:

• Camus → absurdity and meaninglessness
• Sartre → freedom and responsibility
• Hamlet → trapped between both

Camus
The world does not give us clear meaning.

Humans want:
justice
certainty
purpose

But the universe gives:
silence
confusion
death

This conflict is the absurd

Sartre
Humans are “condemned to be free.”

Meaning:
we always choose
even refusing to act is a choice
we are responsible for our actions
excuses cannot fully remove responsibility

This creates:
anxiety
guilt
pressure

What advice would Camus give? Sartre?

Hamlet cannot decide whether to kill Claudius.

Hamlet feels life is meaningless after his father’s death.

Ophelia feels trapped by expectations.

Hamlet worries the ghost may be lying.

Hamlet delays action because he fears consequences.