We talked a little bit in class today about how Shakespeare portrays the women in his plays. We sort of compared Queen Gertrude to Ophelia and talked about how Ophelia is more innocent and obedient where as the Queen is a bit more out spoken. I would like to continue this discussion on the blog...what do you think about the portrayal of Ophelia and the Queen as female characters?
I think that Ophelia could be younger, less developed version of the Queen. Maybe when the Queen was younger she too was quiet and obedient but once she took on the role of Queen and especially after her husband died, she became more vocals and forth coming with her opinions. I also think that we will see Ophelia evolve as a character as the play goes on, maybe the more scenes we read with Ophelia, the more we will begin to see her become stronger as a female character.
3 comments:
I agree with you Michaela. We also have to take note that the Queen has power and represent Denmark. At the same time, she doesn't talk much of her own opinion throughout the play. Ophelia is portrayed to be very young. She is very obedient to her father. I hope more into the play we see the female characters, Ophelia and the Queen, evolve and have their own voice.
You absolutely will, Tina. However, both women use their voices in surprising ways toward the end of the play. I would pay particularly close attention to Ophelia's transformation by the end of the play. Since it has been a while since my last reading, I'm interested to see if Ophelia can develop an independent self before the end.
Since we finished the play it is interesting to see what has happened to these women, although they end dramatically it was interesting to see the level of drama. It seemed as though Gertrude's death was sort of glazed over quickly, but that may be due to the fast pace scene. Ophelia's death was pondered upon a little longer with grave scen and hamlets contemplation on the difficulties of life.
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