Ophelia in William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Ophelia in William Shakespeare's Hamlet Hamlet is a very complex play based upon the relationships within the walls of Elsinore Castle in Denmark. Hamlet is the main character and is the base for all the emotions and feelings in the play. Gertrude (Hamlets Mother), Claudius (Hamlets Uncle and his Mother's new husband and the new King) play major roles in the play. Ophelia is outside the family connections of these three characters but still has a major impact on the audience of the play. Many people have become fascinated by Ophelia. William Hazlitt wrote: "Ophelia is a character almost too exquisitely touching to be dwelt upon. Oh rose of May, oh flower too soon faded!" A Victorian Actress wrote: "When we see Ophelia first this 'Rose of May' is just budding; and, indeed, it is as a bud, never as a full flower, that she lived her brief life" Many people over the years have viewed Ophelia as a pure, perfect young girl, however, through studying the play in depth I have found out that Shakespeare may not have anticipated her being viewed in this way. This is because Ophelia has two sides to her character, the quiet, calm Ophelia and a darker side, when she becomes mad. Which view of Ophelia did Shakespeare wish us to focus on? I think that the dark side of Ophelia shocks us more so therefore this is the image of Ophelia we remember. There are two women in the

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Hamlet: The Controversy of Ophelia

Hamlet: The Controversy of Ophelia Kwontavious Billingsley March 17, 2009 During the Elizabethan period women were not known to have important roles in society. They followed men and devoted their lives to their men . Women didn't have much say or play significant roles in society. It was mandatory for them to obey a "dominant code of ethics that prescribed chaste, silent, and obedient Renaissance women" (Pebworth 76). This stereotype stayed consistent for hundreds of years to come and has carried on through different generations, reaching the point where it has become traditional. In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, his character Ophelia is a victim to this stereotype. Many feminist reading this play would disagree with or dislike the actions of Ophelia, stating that she is much weaker than the real character of a female. (Ophelia; a beautiful young woman who is regularly involved in conflicts but doesn't know how to solve them or stand up for herself.) She continuously turns to men for advice who basically control her life and alter her decisions. Shakespeare makes Ophelia consist of only one strong trait, her beauty. She lacks authority and self-respect because her male influences instruct her life and ultimately drive her insane which eventually leads to her suicide. "Throughout the play, Ophelia has her opinions and statements recast for her by other characters - namely,

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Hamlet - Character study of Ophelia.

2nd Draft In the play written by William Shakespeare, "Hamlet", Ophelia is seen to be a very interesting and intriguing character. Shakespeare has written Ophelia in a way that leaves the audience puzzled as to her true character. Many critics have placed Ophelia's character at completely contrasting ends of a continuum some people believe that Ophelia is not the innocent young girl others believe she is. Some people believe Ophelia to be a wanton, sexually knowledgeable young woman, while others believe that she is harmless and pious. This is due to the manner that Shakespeare has written Ophelia's character, it means that Ophelia's language and actions can be interpreted in many different factions. This can be shown by the way in which Ophelia reacts in different circumstances, while some believe that it shows that she is sexually knowledgeable others believe it shows a lack of knowledge and even slight embarrassment. I believe that Ophelia was written by Shakespeare to be an innocent young woman that is corrupted by the events occurring around her. I believe that Hamlet treats Ophelia brutally and that her innocence and shy character during these events lead to her depression and her end. Ophelia occurs in the play as the daughter to the king's councillor and the true love interest of Hamlet. Ophelia is written by Shakespeare to be an innocent bystander to the events

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Explore Shakespeare's presentation of Ophelia.

Explore Shakespeare's presentation of Ophelia. As one of only two women in the play, it is perhaps surprising that Ophelia's character is presented as being so very unsubstantial and passive. In particular, Ophelia fails to express any points of view and her only clear emotions are fear (after Hamlet's reported visit to her) and regret (at Hamlet's rejection of her). Furthermore, she never demands any freedom, nor questions Polonius' curt and misplaced instructions. Notably, Ophelia not only appears to have little understanding of Hamlet's madness, but no curiosity into its cause. Like Gertrude, Ophelia has no soliloquy in which she can confide her true thoughts and feelings, which is a pity as it detracts from her character as a whole. Shakespeare achieves this deliberately of course; however, it raises the question as to why Hamlet should have been attracted to her, if indeed he ever was. Although there is no textual evidence to indicate that Ophelia blossoms into a captivating and intelligent woman when freed from Polonius' scrutiny, Shakespeare is certainly highly methodical through the way in which he presents Ophelia within the play. Through comparing Ophelia's madness with that of Hamlet, there is a stark contrast between Hamlet's real or feigned madness which results in combative attacks and sly battles of wits and Ophelia's descent ion into a harmless, literally

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Links Between Hamlet and Ophelia

Links between Hamlet and Ophelia Hamlet and Ophelia are linked by many common characteristics, not the least of which is their madness. While Hamlet's madness seems to be feigned, Ophelia is truly crazy. The odd thing about their predicament is that they each drive each other more fully into the depths of illness. One of Hamlet's most famous lines is when he tells the Queen: "Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not 'seems.'" Hamlet is saying that he does not know what it is to pretend, he only knows what it is to be. This is the main question surrounding Hamlet in the play, is he feigning his madness, or is it real? After confronting the Ghost, Hamlet tells his friends that he is going to act mad in public, and that they should not worry for he is not really crazy at all. There is a common belief in these days that when someone tells a lie and firmly believes it they start to live that lie. Maybe this is true with Hamlet- he acts truly mad in public (even his mother believes it) that possibly he acts mad in private too. After Polonius tells Ophelia to repel Hamlet's letters, Hamlet enters Ophelia's room and looks at her with such a piteous and saddened face that even Ophelia begins to think there is something wrong with him. Shortly after that Hamlet encounters Polonius in a corridor and harasses him and says crazy things. In an aside

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Examine the character Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet

Examine the character Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, the right hand man of the King. Although she is only in five scenes Ophelia plays an interesting role in this play as the seemingly passive, melancholy, innocent 'little girl' whose story ends in tragedy. From the beginning Ophelia is an obedient character who has real trouble thinking for herself. This could be seen as one of the reasons for her eventual downfall, due to her inability to analyse a strange, complicated pattern of events. She is always accepting other people's views or advice, acting upon them, with no thought or interpretation of what the results could be. This is one of the reasons why her suicide is not thought of by her or the reader in her first scenes, because for her to commit such an act would take thought and initiative, two concepts completely foreign to Ophelia in the opening scenes. In the first scene that Ophelia is in (Act 1 Scene 3) we are not only treated to our first impressions of Ophelia but also her pivotal relationship with her brother and father. In this scene Laertes, about to leave for France, is saying farewell to his sister Ophelia. He warns her to beware of Hamlet (knowing full well of their relationship), whom he says is insincere. "For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour/Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood/sweet not lasting." Laertes

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The Dramatic Function of Ophelia in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

The Dramatic Function of Ophelia in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' In William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' the character Ophelia performs a very interesting and important role in the elaboration of the plot. Ophelia is a tragic victim, a common component of Shakespeare's revenge tragedies and something that the audience would have come to expect. It is perhaps surprising that a vulnerable and frail character such as Ophelia could have the great impact on the play that she does. Understanding her reactions to the patriarchal society in which she lives through her relationships with the men in her life adds greater depth to the play. Her character is revealed through her interactions with Polonius, Laertes and Hamlet, and their characters in turn revealed through their relationships with her. Ophelia allows better understanding of Hamlet's complex personality. Ophelia also highlights key themes of the play, including corruption, patriarchy and deception. Before her function can be analysed, Ophelia's character must be understood. Shakespeare presents her as a character of weakness, one to respond to with pity and sympathy. She has been read in very different ways- as shown in the greatly varied portrayals of her in different films. The conventional view is that she is a pure and innocent victim, but another reading of her is that she is a clever, sexually experienced but somewhat

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Who was to blame for Ophelia’s demise?

Who was to blame for Ophelia's demise? I am going to consider whom I blame for Ophelia's death. I am going to look at points from Hamlet's view and the way he behaved towards her, I am also going to look at points from her brother and fathers view and whether they were to blame due to the advice they gave her. A lot of people would say Hamlet was to blame for Ophelia's demise because the way he spoke to and treated Ophelia. The way he rejected her and the things he spoke of around her such as chastity, beauty, immortality and how she should join a nunnery 'Ha Ha are you honest,' Hamlet is being sarcastic, making fun of Ophelia he's trying to provoke her 'Ay truly for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is a bawd.', Hamlet is suggesting to Ophelia that beauty can turn to chastity and then to prostitution. The whole time Hamlet spoke to Ophelia he was being very cruel. At this point Ophelia doesn't know what to do, as Hamlet is being cruel and plain nasty the way he tells her she should join a nunnery. All of Hamlet's actions towards Ophelia are cruel and hurtful. But then Hamlet changes and while they are watching the play of the reconstruction of Hamlet's fathers' death, Hamlet begins to become quite disgusting and crude towards Ophelia 'Do you think I meant country matters.' Hamlet is referring to sex, which was not discussed then. Polonius,

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How does Zeffirelli portray the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia?

How does Zeffirelli portray the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia? Franco Zeffirelli's 1990 production of Hamlet has Glenn Close and Helena Bonham Carter cast as Queen Gertrude and Ophelia respectively. He has the luxury over a stage production of being able to add scenery, mood and vibrant close up of character to his film. These added advantages allow us to examine the players in a closer, more intimate way and so we can look at the figures of Queen Gertrude and Ophelia with different perspective. Right from the start the audience most definitely depicts Gertrude as the queen and the primary female of the cast, however there is no malice or grim intention portrayed. We open the film feeling sorry for her at her husband's funeral yet the speed of her re-marriage makes us question her morality and quality. The audience is made to question her character by her physical nature both with Claudius and Hamlet, particularly with Hamlet. Their relationship is portrayed as intensely Freudian, from the very beginning with Gertrude constantly touching Hamlet. Zeffirelli dresses Gertrude in a gown with a simple pale design yet trimmed with gold and subtle jewellery and her hair is worn like a regal crown, always perfect and obviously made by attendants. Herein we see her position but unlike other plays her queenly status is not overbearing. Zeffirelli quite obviously dressing

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  • Level: AS and A Level
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How does Olivier present the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia?

How does Olivier present the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia? Laurence Olivier directed, and starred in, a film version of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', which was made in 1948. This epic production is very stage-like, with huge entrances, theatrical blocking, canons, trumpets and beautiful period costumes. The actors annunciate their words perfectly in a very grand manner, and some of the characters are rather stereotypical and exaggerated. This film version concentrates specifically on Hamlet's state of mind and his growing madness. It also concerns some of Freud's ideas, particularly the Oedipus complex. As this production revolves almost entirely around the lead, Hamlet, the other characters are used principally to offer reasons for Hamlet's anger and confusion, and to demonstrate his insanity, and the effects of it, to the audience. Laurence Olivier's very first image related to Gertrude is her bed, helping the audience to establish an understanding of how Gertrude is going to be portrayed instantly. At first appearances Gertrude looks drugged and sensually abandoned. She is portrayed in a very sexual way, doting on Claudius. There is a catastrophic relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude, kissing, fondling and devouring. Olivier confirms the sexual nature of Gertrude, focusing on the lighted arches at the end of the tunnel representing female genital

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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