Female Characters in Hamlet - 4091 Words

Introduction Shakespearean tragedy is a story of one, or at most two persons. As a rule, they are male protagonists. But to say that Shakespeare’s female characters are shallow, undeveloped and used just as a decoration on the stage is very wrong. Women in Shakespeare’s tragedies have no leading role and they are, to paraphrase Northrop Frye,[1] not tragic heroines, but heroines in a tragedy. All female characters in Shakespeare’s tragedies have one thing in common – they end up dead. It is always an untimely, unnatural death. This rule (rather than coincidence) is a theme of many debates among philologists, critics, psychologists, psychiatrists and philosophers. As Hamlet is one of the most reflective Shakespeare’s plays, the†¦show more content†¦She had lost her mother, and has only a father and a brother, affectionate by worldly, to take care of her. To the persons in the play, she brings the thought of flowers. Laertes names her Rose of May, as he prays at her burial and the Queen murmurs Sweets to the sweet, as she scatters flowers on the grave. Some scholars believe that Ophelias name - which means succor in Greek, a seemingly inappropriate designation for so victimized a character - may have been used in error instead of Aphelia, meaning simplicity or innocence. Both names were rare in Shakespeares time. Ultimately, Ophelia’s insanity is the consequence of the actions of others, and she is unquestionably a victim of the tragic events that beset Denmark throughout the play. [5] Ophelia and male characters in â€Å"Hamlet† Ophelias affection for her brother is shown in two or three delicate strokes. Her love for her father is deep, though mingled with fear. For Hamlet she has, some say, no deep love - and perhaps she is so near childhood that old affections have still the strongest hold; but certainly she has given to Hamlet all the love which her nature is yet capable. Beyond these three beloved ones she seems to have eyes and ears for no one. Her existence is wrapped up in these three. On this childlike nature and on Ophelias inexperience everything depends. Her father and brother are jealously anxious for her because of her ignorance and innocence; and we resentShow MoreRelatedThe Role Of Female Characters In Hamlet1347 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet is a play about death, revenge, and love. Written by William Shakespeare, this play is famous around the world for its dramatic plot. The central theme of Hamlet is love. The story starts off with a Queen falling in love with the brother of her husband. The Queen decides to quickly marry the brother of her previous husband, when her previous husband suddenly dies. Her son (Prince Hamlet), who loves his biological father and disagrees with his mother’s quick decision to marry, is quite saddenedRead MoreThe Female Characters Of Shakespeare s Hamlet970 Words   |  4 Pagesplayed small roles in society in the past. In social, economical, and political standings. Therefore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet the women i n the play, their roles are not portrayed as important. The female characters in the play such as Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother and Ophelia Hamlet’s lover are complicated, and very much opposite of one another. Although these are two different characters Shakespeare portrays them in a negative matter in their small roles. Their acceptance in the world, and their griefRead MoreThe Profound Impact Of Female Characters Of Shakespeare s Hamlet930 Words   |  4 PagesProfound Impact of Female Characters in Hamlet How much of an impact can the women in a man’s life have on his thoughts and actions? A mother is the first woman her son will come into contact with, and can skew her son’s image of women through her actions. A man’s significant other also has the ability to bring out the best in him, but can also become the target for his anger and stray emotions. In William Shakespeare s Hamlet, although there are only two main female characters, both women†¯possessRead MoreWomen s Tragedy : Hamlet And King Lear1185 Words   |  5 PagesTinsley Anderson Dr. Pitchford ENGL 4037 24 November 2015 Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies: Hamlet and King Lear While William Shakespeare’s Tragedies are well known for their violence, tragic heroes, and fatal flaws, the method in which Shakespeare portrays his female characters in a negative light is seldom expressed. The women of Shakespeare’s Tragedies are represented unfavorably, no matter if they are virtuous or evil. â€Å"Shakespeare’s plays are not lacking in women with positive human qualitiesRead MoreHamlet by Williams Shakespeare: The Women Hidden in the Shadows1154 Words   |  5 Pagesactions. The females in Hamlet, Ophelia and Gertrude, both play roles with little importance, which demonstrates the lack of independence present; causing these characters to solely rely of the main characters of the play— the men. Although Shakespeare often wrote tragedies, it is no secret that he kept a place in his heart for romance. The female roles in the play are emphasized as weak woman if they lack a companion, and therefore are helpless. Hamlet and Claudius, the main male characters of the playRead MoreFeminism in Hamlet1451 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Feminist Criticism and Its Integration in Hamlet† In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, many controversies arose from the text, one of which was feminism. Feminism in the most general of terms is known as the principle advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men. Feminism was a largely debated issue in the context of eighteenth century literature specific to many of Shakespeare’s texts. Feminist Criticism is similar in content but is more specific andRead MoreEssay about Ophelia: Harshly Criticized1027 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the 16th century, has been subject to evaluation for centuries. Each character has been broken down and analyzed. The psychology of each character has been examined. Every relationship has been studied to find more answer surrounding the play. Harold Bloom and Sigmund Freud have examined it extensively. Scholars have dissected all parts of the play. One character that has recently been analyzed more and more i s Ophelia. She has been defended byRead MoreWomen ´s Role in Othello by William Shakespeare717 Words   |  3 Pagespermission of men to go about both action and idea. When conflict occurs between any male characters, the female character can be torn and forced to make a decision in which no matter the decision, she will be put in a bad view. When the demand for a woman to have allegiance to a man’s will and subsequently given no opinion or independent thought, this will undoubtedly drive any woman mad. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, both Ophelia and Gertrude, the women, are represented as lower than the men, expectedRead MoreGender Inequality In Hamlet1261 Words   |  6 PagesAs I perused through CNN, an article titled â€Å"Why China has so few female leaders† caught my attention. According to the article, The Baju Culture, discriminatory policy and the anti-feminism were the reasons China only had two female leaders. However, when observing the world trend, it seems many opportunities and resources are granted to women. Many articles of The New York Times reveal young women as being less dependent on men, higher achievers, ahead of men in education, receiving higher earningsRead MoreThe Great Prince Of Denmark, Hamlet, By William Shakespeare1487 Words   |  6 Pagescreated female characters who contradict the stereotypes of his time, impacting both the plot and surrounding characters of his plays. One of his most famous tragedies, Hamlet, revolves around the great prince of Denmark, Hamlet, who encounters the apparition of his deceased father, the former king. The ghost asks that Hamlet seeks revenge upon Claudius, his uncle and new father, for it was he who murdered him and seduced the queen, as a plan to gain top status in society. Faking madness, Hamlet strives

Should Prostitution Be Legal - 1292 Words

Legalize Prostitution A prostitute made plans with a man online to meet him and sell her wares. When they met, she asked to see the money. Instead of pulling out cash, he pulled out a knife and attempted to rape her. There was a brief struggle, and the man slashed her hand. She escaped and found shelter in a church while the pastor contacted the police. The person who assaulted the victim was sentenced to twenty-two years in prison (Riley, 2015). This is simply one of many cases of violence toward prostitutes. In this age where everyone feels that they are mistreated and discriminated against, prostitutes are one of the few groups that are truly mistreated. They are harassed simply because of their occupation, and this continues to happen due to the current legislation and attitude toward sex workers. Prostitution is often referred to as the oldest profession. However, sex workers are still struggling to receive recognition as legitimate working Americans. By outlawing prost itution, legislators greatly harm employed men and women who are doing their best to earn a living. If prostitution was legalized, working conditions would be improved, and prostitutes would be safer. Sex workers would not be afraid to contact the police if they were threatened or hurt, which would make them less of a target for violent people. This would be one way their working conditions would be bettered. Another positive impact of legalizing prostitution is that it could be made saferShow MoreRelatedShould Prostitution Be Legal? Essay1145 Words   |  5 PagesShould prostitution be legal? Prostitution has been around for decades. Since 1780 BC the legalization of prostitution has been a controversial topic. Prostitution is the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money.† Prostitution. Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2016. Many claim that is one of the oldest professions. If this is one of the oldest professions why is it still illegal? So many people have different opinions on the issueRead MoreShould Prostitution Be Legal1695 Words   |  7 Pagesthat prostitution will exist no matter what because men will always degrade women, and women, in turn, can do the same to men, even though these moral aspects are not connected with the legalization process, mostly depending on moral qualities of the society members, and not on a position on prostitution. Thus, the essay will try to prove why prostitution should not be legal with the help of analysis of the articles of the well-known scientists. While feminist theory represents prostitution as aRead MoreShould Prostitution Be Legal?1236 Words   |  5 Pagesmajority of people believe prostitution should stay illegal, claiming that the legalization of prostitution will only make the chances of getting an STD even higher, an increase in rape rates, and will also add to the growth of human trafficking. Although this could be the case, there have been many studies that tell a different story. Currently, Nevada has allowed prostitution in 11 of its counties with much success. There can be many benefits from the legalization of prostitution in the states. LegalizingRead MoreProstitution: It Should Be Legal 1431 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to the Merriam- Webster dictionary, prostitution is defined as â€Å"the work of a prostitute: the act of having sex in exchange for money† (cite). Underneath this definition is one that follows as, â€Å"the use of a skill or ability in a way that is not appropriate or respectableâ €  (cite). Prostitution is a pressing matter in the United States and, as one can assume after reading the second definition given, implicated negatively throughout society. Many view this topic in an undesirable mannerRead MoreShould Prostitution Be Legal? Essay1261 Words   |  6 PagesProstitution has existed in history since before most people can remember. In our time, prostitution is hotly debated as to whether it should be a professional working job, or whether it is immoral and oppressive to women. This debate has existed since the dawn of time, and there is still no clear answer. Society demands that police should stop certain illicit activities from happening in their neighborhoods, but should law enforcement be made to waste their time and effort to arrest those thatRead MoreShould Prostitution Be Legal?1157 Words   |  5 PagesLegalizing Prostitution in Brothels Throughout America When someone says prostitution, the first couple things that probably come to mind are grimy girls that have ruined their lives with drugs sitting on a couch cracked out with a man they just met. Prostitutes are looked at as whores who cannot sustain a real career so they are forced to sell their bodies for sex. The prostitution industry is essentially just like any other service industry. The worker charges his or her customer for a serviceRead MoreShould Prostitution Be Legal?1440 Words   |  6 PagesCanadian legal system stands prostitution. Prostitution by definition is the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. Prostitution in our legal system can be dated back to the 18th century, this was the first Canadian statute to acknowledge prostitution. Prostitution in this time was handled by three legal approaches, regulation, prohibition and lastly rehabilitation. It is believed that because of these three legal approaches that is why prost itution is stillRead MoreShould Prostitution Be Legal?1057 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"A human body is a temple; we should love it and respect it.† How often have we come across those people who sell their bodies, so-called temples and have been termed as â€Å"prostitutes?† Prostitution can be defined as the profession of getting involved in sexual activity with someone and to get paid back in return. Sex and sex-related issues have always been the matter to be hidden, and the civilized people are considered to be not speaking about it at all. Despite the fact, none can escape it ourRead MoreShould Prostitution Be Legal?1150 Words   |  5 Pagesgroup of friends. The question is: Should prostitution be legal? My question is: Why shouldn’t it? By all means I respect the opinion that having sex for money is completely illegal in most states but what about stripping? Stripping is completely legal and paid for lap dances aren’t the only advancement allowed. Strippers are allowed to receive payment to have sexual encounters within the establishment and it is completely legal. Protection for working women should exist across the board, not justRead MoreProstitution Should Not Be Legal1753 Words   |  8 Pagesthe topic of prostitution, most of us will readily agree that it is wrong as it portrays a negative image on women. Where this agreement usually ends, however, it is whether or not it’s a negative outcome. Whereas some are convinced that prostitution should be legal, others maintain that it should stay illegal because of moral intuitions. I disagree that prostitution should be legalized because it’s a form of slavery. Here are many feminists would probably object that prostitution is an utterly

Critical analysis fight club movie Essay Example For Students

Critical analysis fight club movie Essay An example of this is in one of the beginning shots which uses the CGI animation and his narration to inform the viewer about the explosives and project mayhem which are yet to be explained. The narration in Fight Club is vital in pushing the film further on in terms of plot, because without it the audience would not have the required knowledge to fully comprehend what is happening. Throughout the film, CGI is heavily depended on to show things in a particular way, for example showing the explosives by going from a shot of Pitt and Norton through the buildings is another enhancement to add style, which has allowed Fight Club to be known as a greatly recognised film. Lighting and colour are also an important issue to analyse when trying to evaluate the meaning of a shot. A good example of the use of colour is in the sixth shot that was analysed in the breakdown with the CGI animation. Throughout the animation the filter effect changes, giving the shot a different coloured tint. This is noticeable when the shot changes from being outside where the shot has a dark blue/ grey tint to inside when the colour changes to a lighter yellow/ orange tint. Colour is useful to give more meaning to a shot, in this example the lighter yellow/ orange tint represents safety whereas all the shots inside with the explosives and in the room the two characters are, represent a danger which again can lead the audience to wander why the room where the two characters are is dangerous. Throughout the film, the only two filters used are the blue/ grey filter and the yellow/ orange filter; this is useful for viewers watching to help sustain a meaning throughout the film, not confusing them. Elements of style work more unconsciously, meaning is hidden and the interpretation deciphers and translates. (Gibbs Pye, 2005; 216) It is up to the viewer to figure out the meanings behind what is happening on the screen, it is also up to them whether or not they want to. Fight Club has a lot of meanings behind each aspect of what is shown on the screen to help enhance the film as a whole. The interpretations that can be taken away simply need to be viewed with an analytical eye to see how very dark the film can be at the same time attempting to address the issues raised with a lighter feel. I believe that the 10 shots that were analysed in the shot breakdown together are there to introduce the film by showing viewers part of the end of the story so that they will need to find out how it begins and ends using simple mise-en-scene alongside computer animation to impress. Bibliography Gibbs. J Pye. D (2005), Style and Meaning, Manchester, Manchester University press Dudley. A (1984) Concepts in film theory, Oxford, Oxford University press Fight Club, (1999), USA Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our University Degree Fine Art, Design Studies, Art History, Crafts section.