First, she plans to review the representation of Ophelia in English and French painting, photography, psychiatry, literature, and theatre. This essay will examine Ophelia's downward spiral from a chaste maiden to nervous wreck. She explains to Polonius that Hamlet had confronted her in a very unkempt state. While Hamlet conforms, without a doubt, to Aristotle's definition of a tragedy, one question still lingers. Second, she aims to use that historical review to illustrate how the representational bonds between female insanity and sexuality have changed over the centuries, to examine the historical two-way transaction between psychiatric theory and cultural representations, and to explore the idea that feminist revisions of Ophelia have come as much from the freedom of actresses as from interpretation by critics. These binaries can be associated with the Manichean binaries discussed by Frantz Fanon in his book entitled The Wretched of the Earth. But her warnings were shrugged off, and the party intensified.
Hamlet: Branagh's Ophelia and Showalter's Representing...
They spend very little time onstage, and when they are their roles seem trivial; however, their true purpose is much greater. Horatio is used as a foil for Hamlet, the person to whom Hamlet can discuss his course of action and act like his true self. Hamlet and Ophelia Comparison Essay Sample Hamlet and Ophelia are linked by many common characteristics, not the least of which is their madness. Showalter also attributes the characterization of Ophelia to not only the audience, but also to the actress that plays the part. Hamlet turns his madness on and off depending on the company he keeps.
In all seriousness, the combination of the two dramatic situations going on in her life are probably what led her to her madness, but one more so than the other. Perhaps they are sleeping, though it seems unlikely. Furthermore, the depiction of her giving birth to a baby in the river is striking. He comes to understand the impermanence of life, the fragility of existence, and that he must seize the day and his own destiny. Hamlet had grabbed her wrist and held her there for a few moments and then sighed. Laing , The Divided Self , Penguin Books, London, 1959. Feminist critic Valerie Traub explores the sexuality in Hamlet stating the following? Through comparison of Hamlet and Ophelia, how far do you agree? This could be very true, but more often than not, the author's work serves as evidence enough for a valid interpretation of a work.
After learning that he was subject to Ophelia's false love, Hamlet becomes very rude in attitude towards her as he feels he has been chested. For Hamlet, his bond with Ophelia pales in comparison to the weight of the les talionis obligation thrust upon his soul. Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander…Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust, the dust is earth, of earth we make loam, and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beerbarrel? Despite the fact that so little is written about her in the play, she has become a mythical symbol of female struggle, being reinterpreted and reinvented in theatre, literature, popular culture, art and film. Hystories: hysterical epidemics and modern media. Millais 1829-96 was one of the three significant members, joined by Dante Gabriel Rosetti 1828-82 and William Holman Hunt 1827-1910. He also points out the difference in their background and rightly concludes that Hamlet is not in a position, as heir to the throne to choose freely who he will marry. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? New York: Columbia University Press, 1997.
Elaine Showalter's Representing Ophelia :: GCSE Coursework Shakespeare Hamlet
Specifically, Hamlet and Ophelia, although they both appear to be mad at times, their downfall or supposed downfall is quite different. Ophelia, who is Laertes's sister, Polonius's daughter, and Hamlet's lover, is seen as submissive and innocent while Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth, is displayed as ruthless and corrupting. Moi argues that a feminine literary canon would be no less oppressive than the male canon because it would necessarily represent a particular socio demographic class of woman; it could not possibly represent all women because female tradition is drastically different depending on class, ethnicity, social values, sexuality, etc. Such an interpretation of the character informs Laurence Olivier's 1948 production of Hamlet. It was never suppose to come to this…It was suppose to be a simple party. Hamlet does not always appear to be mad, in fact throughout… 1243 Words 5 Pages Male Oppression of Ophelia in Hamlet In The Tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare developed the story of prince Hamlet, and the murder of his father by the king's brother, Claudius.
Ophelia and Lady Macbeth are different in their characters because of Ophelia's weakness, her obedience to Laertes, Polonius, and Hamlet, Lady Macbeth's perseverance for power and her manipulative nature towards her husband. I will analyze the similarities and differences between their relationship and ours to show how even though the play takes place in a much different time period, we still have things in common. Showalter also attributes the characterization of Ophelia to not only the audience, but also to the that plays the part. Unlike the other women in the novel, she is the one with the most masculine mannerisms: she relies on her thoughts rather than her emotions to make decisions about her life and political beliefs. In the discussion of Ophelia's character, her madness is almost always at the center of controversy. Women have gone from being viewed as inferior, always standing in the shadows of men to being able to share the light and stand beside them as equals. In act 2 Hamlet is becoming abnormal as for Ophelia is feeling anxious.
They both take on a senselessly obedient state of mind. In a nunnery she would have had no one to serve but Christ and her church; the desires of men cannot be forced upon those whom they cannot reach. Women would stay home and participate…. Showalter demonstrates how cultural ideas about proper feminine behaviour have shaped the definition and treatment of female insanity from the to the present. For Laing, the essence of schizophrenia lies in the absence of the essential person. The fact is that without the interpretations and ideas of others, the play seems to ask to be read in a way that would point to her father's death as the main reason for her madness.
Elaine Showalter argues that Ophelias tragedy is subordinated in the play. Through comparison of Hamlet and Ophelia, how far do you agree?
She is the Avalon Foundation Professor Emerita. Ophelia was the character most greatly impacted by Hamlet's feigned and real madness - she first lost her father, her sanity, and then her life. When her father and brother are telling her to stay away from Hamlet, she tries to speak up and tell them that she knows that Hamlet truly loves her. Includes a survey of historical and current interpretations of the character of Ophelia. She is constantly torn between the choice of obeying the decisions and wishes of her family or that of Hamlet. She tells them her feelings, but they say no, she is not to speak to Hamlet again and must obey.
Sad, indeed, but Hamlet learns from her death. In the case of Ophelia in Hamlet, however, only madness and sorrow come from her experiences. Especially when she confronts her ultimate silence in death, she is in perfect harmony with the vastness and tranquility of nature. For example, when Polonius tried to belittle Ophelia so that she wouldn 't make the mistake of letting a man into her life he said, You do not understand yourself so clearly as it behooves my daughter and your honor. Ophelia is made mad… 711 Words 3 Pages Frail Ophelia of Hamlet Throughout Hamlet, Shakespeare makes it evident that Ophelia is very unstable.
