Question

(1) Shakespeare's contemporary Sir Francis Bacon observed that revenge is a kind of wild justice. (2) Shakespeare explores this theme in Hamlet. (3) Hamlet is a revenge tragedy. (4) This type of play was a real crowd-pleaser in Shakespeare's day. (5) Audiences found enjoyment in the choreography of staged combat, the elegance of the playwrites' poetic language, and the emotional catharsis associated with the genre. (6) Shakespeare's achievement in Hamlet was to elevate this form of popular culture into a literary masterpiece.

(7) The English revenge tragedy has its roots in Roman theater's tragedy of blood. (8) Shakespeare would have been familiar with the most famous English play in this tradition, Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy. (9) According to theater historian Bridget Chastain, Kyd filled the stage with an unprecedented level of gore, including a hanging, multiple stabbings, and a character who bites off his own tongue.
(10) Revenge tragedies had typical characteristics. (11) These traits all are present in Hamlet. (12) They include a secret murder, the ghost of the victim demanding vengeance, and the avenger pretending to be mad. (13) The avenger in The Spanish Tragedy is the character Hieronimo. (14) Scholars of revenge tragedy may be interested to note that the weapon Hieronimo employs for his revenge is a play-within-a-play. (15) This episode anticipates Hamlet's use of his play-within-a-play, "The Mousetrap," to expose the guilt of Claudius.(16) Although Shakespeare used these formulaic elements in creating Hamlet, he transformed the revenge tragedy in the process. (17) Shakespeare scholar Frances Short observes that, in Hamlet, Shakespeare simultaneously draws on convention and advances the genre. (18) By having Hamlet reflect repeatedly on what he is doing, rather than simply rushing to his vengeance, Shakespeare creates an individual with an extraordinarily complex psychology.
(19) The simple duty of vengeance provides the moral for other revenge tragedies. (20) By contrast, Hamlet is thematically multifaseted, which has provided material for widely varying interpretations of the play.
(21) Shakespeare found an immensely popular type of theater made-to-order in the revenge tragedy. (22) This type of drama was characterized by a series of unvarying formulaic elements. (23) Shakespeare transformed these formulaic elements in creating Hamlet. (24) Scholars and audiences alike cannot overestimate the value of this transformation. (25) Indeed, it is hard to imagine the literary cannen without Hamlet.

Choose the most effective way to revise sentence 23 by inverting the word order.
Select one:
a. Shakespeare, in creating Hamlet, transformed these formulaic elements.
b. In creating Hamlet, Shakespeare transformed these formulaic elements.
c. These formulaic elements were transformed by Shakespeare in creating Hamlet.
d. These formulaic elements Shakespeare transformed in creating Hamlet.

Answer 1

The most effective revision of sentence 23 that inverts the word order is option (b): 'In creating Hamlet, Shakespeare transformed these formulaic elements'. The correct option is b. In creating Hamlet, Shakespeare transformed these formulaic elements.

Step-by-step explanation:

To revise sentence 23 by inverting the word order for enhanced clarity and effectiveness, option (b) 'In creating Hamlet, Shakespeare transformed these formulaic elements' is the best choice.

It places the activity 'In creating Hamlet' at the beginning, clearly establishing the action before revealing the effect, which is the transformation of these elements. This structure maintains a logical flow and emphasizes Shakespeare's creative process, while aligning with academic standards for clear and concise writing.

In crafting Hamlet, Shakespeare deftly transformed the conventional formulaic elements of revenge tragedy. This creative process elevated the genre, offering audiences a profound exploration of complex psychology rather than merely adhering to established norms.

Unlike traditional revenge tragedies that dictate a simple duty of vengeance, Hamlet delves into multifaceted themes, fostering diverse interpretations. The playwright's innovative approach, exemplified by Hamlet's introspection, distinguishes the play from its predecessors.

Shakespeare, in creating Hamlet, not only embraced the popular revenge tragedy format but also redefined it, leaving an indelible mark on literary canon and showcasing the enduring significance of his transformative contribution.

The correct option is b. In creating Hamlet, Shakespeare transformed these formulaic elements.