It is unfortunate that Hamlet's plan did not succeed; not only did it lead to his own downfall but he had to witness the downfall of all of the people he loved. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Ophelia is a difficult role to play because her character, like Gertrude's, is murky. In Hamlet, the women act the small roles portraying their historical status at the time. Hamletprovides his own self-torture and does fall victim to melancholia andgrief, however, his madness is feigned. Gertrude’s hastened remarriage could also help to paint her in a new light, as a vulnerable woman devoid of any obvious male protection following her husband’s death. The root of this belief is the women in Hamlet, Gertrude and Ophelia, are given demoted opinion and roles within the play. She is clearly disturbed by her encounter as she agitatedly reports: ‘O my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted.’. “ His rage is so impulsive that the king has to go to great lengths to calm him down, “How much I had to do to calm his rage!”. This build up of aggression can be interpreted from her quick-witted exchange with Hamlet in Act3 Scene2 as she is disconcerted by and retorts to Hamlet’s sexual backchat using quick and abrasive replies: It is apparent that she may have inclinations to make a stand against the morals of her superiors as within her twisted and encrypted ramblings she makes profound statements regarding amongst other things disgust at the treatment of her father’s death as she bitterly retorts, but they withered all when my father died,’. Gertrude and Ophelia share similarities in both Hamlet’s view of them and in Shakespeare’s description of them. Although Gertrude and Ophelia are not well developed through out the play, their actions, language and influence on the play portray them as the obedient passive type of women. 6) Why does Marcellus say, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (1.4.94)? These two adult females played a really important function in Hamlet’s life and completed the kernel of the narrative. Yet Shakespeare gave small and insignificant roles to Gertrude and Ophelia in Hamlet. This is apparent in the setting of a bedroom for Act3, Scene4, which may be viewed as a metaphor for Gertrude’s private and public persona, with everything that happens behind its heavy wooden doors emulating her softer, weaker side. [Exit HORATIO.]O! The peace, however is soon disturbed again when Hamlet launches a verbal attack on his mother, questioning her morals and the reasons she could possibly give for marrying his uncle so soon after the late king’s death as he describes his disgust at her actions: That blurs the grace and blush of modesty, Calls virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose. As the only two important female characters in Hamlet, Ophelia and Gertrude can more easily be contrasted than likened, but they do have some things in common. Act i, Scene v, lines 166-180 Hamlet's madness only manifests itself when he is in the presence of certain characters. In this way, Ophelia like Gertrude is very stereotypical of the age in the way she serves and is oppressed by the men in her life. These two events are the cause of Hamlet’s distress and disgust in Act 1, and form the basis of the revenge plot.However, Shakespeare deliberately leaves the extent of Gertrude’s historic involvement with Claudius (as both his lover and potential accomplice in murder) unclear. The role of women was radically changing as the public were beginning to realise the power of Elizabeth I and this directly affected English Literature which had began to also focus on women. As said by Judith Cook, they appear to be 'somewhat spiritless creatures' when likened to... Hamlet and OpheliaMelancholy, grief, and madness have pervaded the works of a great manyplaywrights, and Shakespeare is not an exception. ga('send', 'pageview'); In Hamlet, the women act the small roles portraying their historical status at the time. Hamlet views Gertrude and Ophelia as deceiving and being defined by their morals. This is apparent throughout her relationship with Hamlet, of which Hamlet is definitely in control. The audience does not see the next interaction with Hamlet and Ophelia but hear. Although Gertrude is the Queen of Denmark and Ophelia is the prince’s lovers. Also, she is obviously been under the control of her father and brother since her mother’s death. Polonius insults her and Hamlet’s love, responding to her declaration that Hamlet “has of late made tenders of his affection” he cries “Affection? Gertrude is the queen of Denmark and also the mother to hamlet, and Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, sister to Laertes and hamlet’s love. All their lives Ophelia and Gertrude are led by the men’s power; they together make a weak image of dependent women at Shakespeare’s time. In conclusion, I think that however different Ophelia and Gertrude may appear from the outset, they both cannot help but to conform to the ideas of the different social standings for men and women of the age. In Hamlet, the women act the small roles portraying their historical status at the time. The NO, HE WAS SANE side:Hamlet tells Horatio that he is going to "feign madness," and that if Horatio notices any strange behaviour from Hamlet, it is because he is putting on an act. At artscolumbia.org you will find a wide variety of top-notch essay and term essay samples on any possible topics absolutely for free. “I shall obey you;/ and for your part, Ophelia, I do wish/ that your good beauties be the happy cause/ of Hamlet’s wildness. Want to add some juice to your work? 2007. Gertrude and Ophelia are the only two females in Hamlet and they both have relationships with him. 6) Why does Marcellus say, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (1.4.94)? Gertrude is the queen of Denmark and also the mother to hamlet, and Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, sister to Laertes and hamlet’s love. 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