Sunday, October 13, 2013

Ophelia vs Laertes: Witty, Innocent, or Submissive?

After watching two actresses portraying Ophelia and reading act 1 scene 3, I can concur that Ophelia is depicted in many different ways while talking to her brother Laertes . 

In Hamlet, I feel that Shakespeare had Ophelia come off as silent, yet witty in act 1 scene 3. While her brother lectures her about having feelings towards Hamlet, Ophelia just listens, barely inserting any commentary. It is almost like Ophelia is pretending to listen, and isn't really taking in what information her brother is trying to tell her. After Laertes's long speech, Ophelia says, "But, good my brother,/ Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,/ Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,/Whiles, (like) a puffed and reckless libertine,/Himself the primrose path of dalliance threads/And recks not his own rede" (1.3 50-55). This shows Ophelia as witty as she calls out her brother for pretty much being a hypocrite, since he is living a life of lust and party in France. This interaction with her brother shows that Ophelia sticks with her own opinions, and set a confident tone for the rest of the act. It also shows that her personality is different from the dimwitted Gertrude, which could explain why Hamlet is so attracted to her.

However, in the first clip, the director portrays Ophelia as innocent. The actress casually smiles at her brother for most of the conversation as he tries to lecture her, almost as though she feels it is a joke. Though during the other parts of the conversation, her expression does come off as a bit worried. This shows that even though Ophelia is pretending not to care about what her brother is saying, it still is affecting her. I think this kind of takes away from her witty personality that was shown in Hamlet, and instead sets a sarcastic tone for the act as Ophelia tries to cover up her worries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI8T5DPxY5Y&feature=player_embedded#at=65

In the second clip, the director has Ophelia come off as submissive. During the entire conversation wither her brother, I don't think I heard the actress say one word! This completely takes away the witty tone Shakespeare set in act 1 scene 3. Ophelia completely gives in to her brother in this scene, and doesn't even have any remark to come back with. She just simply listens in silence with a worried face. This sets a worried tone for the rest of the act as Ophelia believes everything her brother says. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JyxfJo-iiA&feature=player_embedded#at=71



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