MODULE B: PERFORMANCE TASK BY LAURA SHANAHAN
For this task, I have chosen Act 4 Scene 5: Ophelia’s breakdown. This scene is significant as it provides the motivation for Laertes’ revenge and the audience’s reflection. In this, the court is exposed to Ophelia’s madness as the result of their selfish manipulations. This is perhaps one of the few sombre scenes within the entire play that allows both the characters and the audience to reflect upon the consequences of their actions. The giving of flowers is a subtle way of informing the court that Ophelia knew exactly what was happening each flower represents her judgement of their actions. This demonstrates Ophelia’s awareness and intelligence; two traits that heavily juxtapose the oblivious and obedient gender role of Shakespeare’s time. Through this character and in …show more content…
Each flower that Ophelia gives out is a judgement:
• Rosemary to Laertes to remember their father
• Pansies to Laertes to think before acting upon his revenge
• Fennel and Columbine to Claudius for deceit and flattery, flowers meaning “deceived lovers” and Ophelia’s way of telling the king that she disapproves of their marriage and adultery.
• Rue for bitterness/sorrow and a daisy to Gertrude for innocence, symbolising the queen’s naivety in her betrayal.
• Violets symbolise modesty and faith but those values died with Polonius as Ophelia lost hope.
In conclusion, Act 4 Scene 5 is an important part of Hamlet as it showcases the role of women in Elizabethan times from Shakespeare’s perspective and the influence of a patriarchal society upon the human condition. This scene depicts how Ophelia is driven mad in the face of life at court, so is an innocent bystander who reaps the effects of the apathetic medieval mentality. Thank
For this task, I have chosen Act 4 Scene 5: Ophelia’s breakdown. This scene is significant as it provides the motivation for Laertes’ revenge and the audience’s reflection. In this, the court is exposed to Ophelia’s madness as the result of their selfish manipulations. This is perhaps one of the few sombre scenes within the entire play that allows both the characters and the audience to reflect upon the consequences of their actions. The giving of flowers is a subtle way of informing the court that Ophelia knew exactly what was happening each flower represents her judgement of their actions. This demonstrates Ophelia’s awareness and intelligence; two traits that heavily juxtapose the oblivious and obedient gender role of Shakespeare’s time. Through this character and in …show more content…
Each flower that Ophelia gives out is a judgement:
• Rosemary to Laertes to remember their father
• Pansies to Laertes to think before acting upon his revenge
• Fennel and Columbine to Claudius for deceit and flattery, flowers meaning “deceived lovers” and Ophelia’s way of telling the king that she disapproves of their marriage and adultery.
• Rue for bitterness/sorrow and a daisy to Gertrude for innocence, symbolising the queen’s naivety in her betrayal.
• Violets symbolise modesty and faith but those values died with Polonius as Ophelia lost hope.
In conclusion, Act 4 Scene 5 is an important part of Hamlet as it showcases the role of women in Elizabethan times from Shakespeare’s perspective and the influence of a patriarchal society upon the human condition. This scene depicts how Ophelia is driven mad in the face of life at court, so is an innocent bystander who reaps the effects of the apathetic medieval mentality. Thank