Sunday 25 October 2015

How can I connect Hamlet's madness to that of a modern-day character like Randle McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"? This is for an IB...

The IB IOP is usually 10-15 minutes in length. From what I can see, it looks like you're interested in an oral expose or structured presentation. Granted that you're not given much time, here is what I recommend:

1) Start with a 3 minute introduction. State your thesis. Let's say that you're comparing Randle McMurphy to Hamlet, and you want to explore how both characters disguise their true mental status in order to achieve certain goals. In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet actually feigns insanity on a number of occasions for his own purposes. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Randle McMurphy also feigns insanity to escape prison farm work. A possible thesis statement would be how dramatic irony drives the plot in both works. 


As we read, we come to realize that both men utilize language, behavior, and diction to give the impression that they are mentally compromised individuals. Sadly, their acts of subterfuge ultimately lead to their destruction. In McMurphy's case, his feigned insanity lands him in a mental hospital (he's initially happy about this). However, he soon finds his freedom circumscribed by Nurse Ratched and the hospital staff. He is eventually lobotomized, but Chief Bromden intervenes to save him from a life of degradation (he smothers McMurphy to death). As for Hamlet, the young prince achieves a Pyrrhic vengeance that results in his own death. 


2) 3-4 minutes for Randle McMurphy: McMurphy uses subterfuge to land himself in a mental asylum. Once there, he finds himself under Nurse Ratched's jurisdiction. Far from being free, McMurphy discovers that he's just as captive in the hospital as he would be in a prison environment. While we know that he's far from mad, Nurse Ratched believes that McMurphy exhibits the psychopathic behaviors of a mentally deranged patient. So, she acts according to her beliefs. Much of the plot derives its tension from the conflicts between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy. McMurphy tries to outwit Nurse Ratched, while the latter doubles down on punitive measures and intimidating tactics. Here, try to provide some examples from the novel to demonstrate McMurphy's desperate struggle against Nurse Ratched.


3) 3-4 minutes for Hamlet: Use a quote to support your stance that Hamlet is not clinically insane, for example: "I essentially am not in madness,/ But mad in craft." (Act 3, Scene 4). In this play, Hamlet feigns insanity in order to hide his true goals from King Claudius, Polonius, and the king's circle of friends. You can list some examples of Hamlet doing this. For example, you could make the case that Hamlet is pretending that his overpowering love for Ophelia has driven him to madness. When Ophelia meets with him, Hamlet goes on a bitter tirade against the gentler sex. His cruel words cause Ophelia deep emotional anguish, but Hamlet must persevere in his adopted guise in order to deceive Polonius (and by extension, the king). Hamlet aims to take Claudius down, but he must hide his true intentions until he can make his hopes of vengeance a reality.


4) 3-4 minutes to state your conclusions about Hamlet and Randle McMurphy. In your opinion, do you think that both characters' actions are justified? Do Shakespeare and Ken Kesey adequately use dramatic irony to not just drive the action in both stories but also make the argument that human beings will go to great lengths to protect their right to personal agency? It's a question worth asking.


The above constitutes one way you can order your presentation. You may decide to change certain factors to fit your specifications and your teacher's requirements.

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