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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper explores the question of whether or not Ophelia and Gertrude are weak and subordinate; it argues that Ophelia is but Gertrude is not. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: KV32_HVophger.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
are weak and oppressed; it argues that Ophelia is but Gertrude is much stronger. Discussion Ophelia and Gertrude are the only women in the play, and they actually do very
little to lighten the atmosphere of oppressive masculinity that defines the world of the Danish court. One might expect that being the only women in the setting they would be
much closer than they are, but there is little warmth between them. They have no scenes together in which they are the only characters onstage, and when they do interact
they are formal and distant with one another. The only time Gertrude shows much emotion towards Ophelia is when she puts flowers on her grave.
The overwhelmingly masculine atmosphere is reinforced by the fact that important events or people are usually remembered in connection with their military successes or campaigns. When Horatio describes
the Ghost, he does so in terms of his militarism: "Such was the very armour he had on / When he th ambitious Norway combated. / So frownd he once,
when is an angry parle / He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice" (I.i.63-66). The last line of the play is that of Fortinbras, a military man and the
individual who will now assume the kingship: "Go, bid the soldiers shoot" (V.ii.403). Cannons are fired when the king drinks; pirates roam the seas; and Denmark appears to on a
war footing. The setting is dark and excessively masculine which makes it strange that the two female characters are not closer. There is
a great deal of truth in the argument that the women are weak because of the society in which they live. Women were to be obedient and largely silent and
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