Whore Dichotomy in Hamlet Thesis In Shakespeares play Hamlet the two female characters Gertrude and Ophelia possess characteristics of the angel or the ideal renaissance woman This is ironic because the ideal renaissance woman would not have a large impact on society ID: 638606
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Slide1
The
Paradigm of the Angel/Whore Dichotomy in HamletSlide2
Thesis
In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the two female characters Gertrude and Ophelia possess characteristics of the “angel”, or the ideal renaissance woman. This is ironic because the “ideal renaissance woman” would not have a large impact on society, as Gertrude and Ophelia do on the plot of Hamlet. This shows that Hamlet transcends the binary model because both Gertrude and Ophelia show characteristics of both, the angel and the whore.Slide3
Play 1
Gertrude“…She married. O most wicked speed!” (1.2.158) “I will, my lord, I pray you pardon me.” (5.2.234)“Frailty, thy name is woman!” (1.2.148) Ophelia“Tender yourself more dearly” (1.3.107)“I shall obey my lord” (1.3.
136) “
get thee to a nunnery
” (3.1.122
)
“
be though chaste as ice, pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny.
” (2.2.136)Slide4
Overall
Views of Women in Shakespearean SocietyTwo views - angel or whoreUsed to intensify the tragic stature of primary revenger These are insufficient angel - chaste whore - antithesis of the angel Ironic Slide5
Play 2
“Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive against the mother aught.” (1.5.92-93) “You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s wife, and you are my mother.”(3.4.20-21)“It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.” (5.2.319)Slide6
Gertrude
Dependent on MenNever Made Own ChoicesRemarriedOne Act of IndependenceResult in DeathIronySlide7
Play 3
“A violet in the youth of primy nature,” (1.3.7-10)“rose of the fair state” (3.1.154)“crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purple” (4.7.168-169)“this nothing’s more than matter,” (4.5.172)“I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died” (4.5.181-183) Slide8
Ophelia
Imagery- loving, gentle and innocentSymbolism- flowersSituaional Irony- silent bystandersuddenly knowledgeable of the truthSignificance- epitome of goodness and truthfulnessSlide9
Credits
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Woodbury, NY: Barron's, 1986. Print."An Introduction to Ophelia from Hamlet by William Shakespeare." An Introduction to Ophelia from Hamlet by William Shakespeare. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.By Hiding behind His Mask of Insanity after Accidentally Killing Ophelia’s Father, Ophelia’s Lover Ultimately Loses His True-love: Ophelia. Hamlet Is the Name of Ophelia’s Lover and the Title of Shakespeare’s Most Renowned Play. Although Ophelia Is Not the Focal Character in Hamlet, the Audience Is Moved by the Subtleness and Complexity of Her Mind. The Audience Feels Sympathetic towards Ophelia Because She Is Completely Undeserving of Her Emotional and Physical Suffrages throughout This Tragedy. Ophelia’s Character Can Be Developed through the Use of the Literary Devices of Figurative Imagery, Symbolism and Irony. "Ophelia Developed by Symbolism Imagery and Irony." Essays, Research Papers, Dissertations & Etc. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.
Findlay, Alison. "Gertrude." Women In Shakespeare (2010): 152-154. Literary Reference Center. Web. 14 Oct. 2016
.
Grimmett
, Roxanne. "'By heaven and hell': re-evaluating representations of women and the angel/whore dichotomy in Renaissance revenge tragedy."
Journal of International Women's Studies
6.3 (2005): 31+.
General OneFile
. Web.
14
Oct. 2016.