Sample Multi-Source Essay Paragraph
Confusion is one cause of ignorance. Sometimes people misunderstand information, such as a news report, which leads to misinformation. For example, CNN reported that an Egyptian passport was found at the soccer stadium bomb site outside of Paris last Friday. People quickly jumped to the conclusion that Egyptian terrorists were behind the attack and passed the rumor on through Twitter, SnapChat and other social media. Two days later, French news agencies confirmed that the bearer of the passport was simply a spectator at the game, visiting family, and what’s worse, he was one of the most severely injured survivors of the bombing. But by then the damage had already been done because the family was being harassed by neighbors and the media. Similarly, Hamlet, when he finds out indirectly from his father’s ghost that his uncle Claudius, the current king, murdered his father, Hamlet Senior, he became confused about whether to trust the ghost, who could be a demon from hell in his father’s shape, or his uncle, who is real. Hamlet hadn’t known about any of this until the ghost visited him one night and brought to his attention the shocking news.
Ghost: “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.”
Hamlet: “Murder?”
Ghost: “Murder most foul, as in the best it is/ But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.”
Hamlet: “Hast me to know’t, that I, with the wings as swift /As meditation or the thoughts of love/ May sweep to my revenge.” (1.5.26-32)
Hamlet’s finding out that his father was murdered only adds to his ignorance. The fact that he should take revenge on his uncle for murdering his father tears him in two directions, eventually causing his insanity. If Hamlet hadn’t found out about his father’s murder, then there wouldn’t have been this need for each person to try to control the situation in a way they think best, and it wouldn’t have led to multiple unnecessary deaths. As a result of the ghost’s telling Hamlet about the murder, Hamlet becomes confused about whether to take revenge, or not, and also whether he should end his own life or not. Hamlet no longer is sure of whether he should be alive, or not. He’s torn about whether to be a man and kill his uncle, and reap the consequences of that, or to end his own life and face the uncertainties of death.
Hamlet: “To be, or not to be? That is the question—/Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,/And, by opposing, end them?” (3.1.57-61)
Hamlet’s contemplating killing himself, or continuing living. He’s confused because of what the ghost told him. He’s not sure whether or not it’s smarter to live, and kill his uncle, or live with the guilt of not avenging his father’s murder, or die and face the uncertainties of death. He wonders about what’s the best choice and about what troubles he’ll face in his decisions. His confusion in which choice to pick has once again caused ignorance that blinds him from seeing the bigger issues at hand.