Analyze gertrudes role in the play more carefully

Assignment Help Other Subject
Reference no: EM131248671

This is a 2 part short (250-500 word) discussion post

It is with Hamlet Acts IV and V that the play comes to a conclusion and, with it, our study of drama. In many ways, Hamlet departs from the conventions of Elizabethan drama as defined within Aristotle's Poetics. In Poetics, Aristotle emphasized that action should be the focus of drama, rather than character. In Hamlet, Shakespeare changes this focus entirely. The play hinges on Hamlet's decision whether or not to act. The result is that the thoughts, motives, and beliefs of the characters literally take center stage.

We discuss Hamlet's themes as seen through the characters of Ophelia and Gertrude. As the only two women in a play rife with misogynistic declarations, their choices potentially shed light on many of these comments, including Hamlet's famous statement: "Frality, thy name is woman" (Act 1, scene ii, 146). Given the roles that women play and the play's misogynistic overtones, we have to ask ourselves whether women have the freedom of choice allowed to Hamlet and the other male characters of the play. Last week, we discussed whether Hamlet could be considered a tragic hero. Although history has painted Ophelia and, to a lesser extent, Gertrude, as tragic heroines, it is debatable as to whether they can actually be considered as such because they cannot control their own actions.

Please see below for the Discussion 1 & 2 questions.

Act III ends with the sudden and startling death of Polonius at Hamlet's hands. In many ways, this can be seen as an important turning point. Not only does Hamlet appear to be unrepentant of this murder, his later sighting of the ghost questions his sanity. In previous acts, Bernardo, Marcellus, and Horatio had all witnessed the ghost's appearance; however, the ghost of Act IV appears to Hamlet alone. Observing Hamlet conversing with thin air, Gertrude wonders: " Alas, how is't with you,/ That you do bend your eye on vacancy,/ And with th' incorporal air do hold discourse?" (Hamlet III. iv. 177-119). She wonders if Hamlet has indeed gone mad and we must wonder it with her.

Against the question of whether Hamlet has actually been driven to insanity or not, we have the well-accepted madness of Ophelia. In some respects, it is no wonder that Ophelia finally goes mad. Her father and brother precisely calibrate her actions. It is difficult for us to determine how Ophelia actually feels about Hamlet because everything she does has been dictated. Her words and actions are all observed and judged. The death of Polonius leaves an enormous vacancy in her world and will. Madness is the result.

However, some have argued that there is a method to Ophelia's madness and that her speeches betray a keen commentary on the play's misogynistic themes. Please read her madness scenes carefully, as you will view an actor's interpretation of them and study them further in the discussion forum.

DISCUSSION 1

As we've seen over the last few weeks, the Folger Shakespeare library offers insightful materials for students and teachers alike. Ophelia's descent into madness and subsequent suicide prove to be of little exception. In preparation for the first discussion activity, please view the video entitled Ophelia and Madness [Video File] [04 min 03 sec]. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhJWwoWCD4w)

In the video, Lindsey Wochley (Ophelia) offers some insights into Ophelia's madness as depicted in Hamlet IV, scene v. The actress states "decisions are made for her [Ophelia] all the way up until when she goes mad. She makes her own decisions, then." This statement offers an interesting perspective on madness in Hamlet in general and Ophelia's madness, in particular.

King Claudius offers perspectives on why Ophelia goes mad, but he is hardly a dependable character. Based on the form that her madness takes, in a post of at least 250 words, why do you think that Ophelia has gone mad? Please give evidence for your thoughts from throughout the play, and Act IV, scene v, in particular.

DISCUSSION 2

In a post of at least 250 words, analyze Gertrude's role in the play more carefully through a close analysis of Shakespeare. Based on the first initial of your last name, you have been assigned to analyze one of Gertrude's speeches.

In your analysis, you might want to examine where Gertrude's loyalties lie: to her son, husband, former husband, or herself? Your discussion forum entry should cite at least ONCE from your assigned group of lines.

Group A :

Begin with Queen's "I will not speak with her." (4.5.1)

End with Queen's "Let her come in." (4.5.21).

Reference no: EM131248671

Questions Cloud

What should be included in your news bulletin : You are a journalist for the New York Times, as well as an amateur astronomer. While searching the heavens with your 3-in telescope. What should be included in your news bulletin?
Essay in which you identify one facet of modern technology : To write a 2,200-2,500 word argument essay in which you identify one facet of modern technology that is debatable or controversial because people may or may not rely on it too much.
What is hamlet asking himself : What is Hamlet asking himself? What relationship does this question hold to his ongoing decision as to whether or not he should act on the ghost's information?
What has been the impact of the european union of business : What has been the impact of the European Union of the business environment? Anything else that you deem important to support your international business expansion plan.
Analyze gertrudes role in the play more carefully : In a post of at least 250 words, analyze Gertrude's role in the play more carefully through a close analysis of Shakespeare. Based on the first initial of your last name, you have been assigned to analyze one of Gertrude's speeches.
Find the voltage of the form : Using the fact that the sum of the currents through the three circuit elements must equal this generated current, find the voltage of the form B(ω)eiωt across the circuit.
Country of origin for each ip address : We are trying to use the "VLOOKUP" Function on excel to identify the country of origin for each IP address. How would we write this function?
Analyze your findings on secondary data sources : Analyze your findings on secondary data sources and discuss them with your classmates. How do the findings add to and contribute to the information provided in the text? Try not to duplicate articles that your classmates have chosen.
Major sponsors and any sponsorship-related information : Identify 4 professional individual sport athletes. Identify their major sponsors and any sponsorship-related information (terms of contract, appearances, etc.) that you can find in your research. How is the sponsor represented in the relationship ..

Reviews

Write a Review

Other Subject Questions & Answers

  What is the physical properties for pentachlorophenol

what is the physical properties for Pentachlorophenol? (6 properties with brief discreption please)

  What is the discovered about globalization

What is the discovered about globalization, particularly, its impact on the 21st century global marketplace.

  What were the long term consequences of wwi

Look through the following websites that include videos, pictures, and articles about WWI. What were the long term consequences of WWI

  How the author shows the changes in sam character

Analyze how the author shows the changes in Sam's character as he ages. Consider his public and private lie, how he rose to power, and how he treats those around him. Use text evidence from the novel o support your ideas. on this server

  Discuss how marketers could advertise the new facilities

Besides concierge medicine and retail clinics, identify two other contemporary healthcare facilities identified in the literature. Discuss how marketers could advertise the new facilities and the impact you think the new facilities will have on he..

  What is postmodernism and why is it important

What is postmodernism and why is it important? What do cultural critics have to say about it? Cite examples of postmodernism in other art forms.(Subject: American Cinema)

  Infliction of emotional distress

Add a follow-up sentence(s) in which you explain what that element means in practical terms. Summarize a case in which that claim was charged. What was the result? Cite your sources.

  How are the elderly treated in foraging societies

How are the elderly treated in foraging societies? Is there any variation, or are the old considered to be useless entities that cannot hunt or gather? How are the elderly treated in the society you grew up in?

  Real world consumption activities

Aiscusses your own consumption practices over the last ten years. List and explain the ways that online consumption activities have replaced or modified your real world consumption activities.

  How does this make you feel about getting a job after school

If you are just a hired worker to do web work, sales etc... should you also be charged or just the 'owners'? How does this make you feel about getting a job after school? Do you have to worry about what company you work for?

  Condemn utilitarianism as an immoral ethical theory

Why did Kant condemn Utilitarianism as an immoral ethical theory?  Identify and describe at least three (3) factors contributing to the accuracy of sensory data.

  Diseases that are currently on the rise in the united states

Your Epidemiology research report seeks to identify one of the diseases that are currently on the rise in the United States. The next step is to prepare an introduction to your research report

Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd