Question about Literary Analysis?

Question

I know that literature is always written about in the present tense, but what about an event in a novel that has occurred before the novel begins. For example, what about Hamlet's father's death in Hamlet, since the event occurred before the play begins? Could I saw that his father was murdered or no?

Answer 1

I would say yes. You could write a sentence that starts "After Hamlet's father was murdered, Hamlet talks..." If you look at the sentence, the word murdered is in past tense. However, the main verb of the sentence, in this case "talks," is in the present tense. Also, their is always some flexibility for different sentences. Remember, that you, as the author, has to formulate the best sentences possible. Sometimes, that requires you make do with some unconventional methods. However, try to stick to the rules and be consistent.

Good luck on your essay.
Oh ya, wasn't that play awesome!

Answer 2

Depending upon how you are discussing Hamlet yes you can mention his fahter's murder as it comes out pretty early on in the play. It is alluded to throughout and the cause of the destruction of Hamlet and the kigndom.