As long as Shakespeare´s Hamlet exists, people are fascinated by the young woman Ophelia and her fate. She is a woman who leads a life which is dominated by men and their influence on her. Especially the network of intrigues, but also her helplessness and the being at someone’s mercy reduce Ophelia to despair. Her struggle ends with a mysterious death by drowning, which is to be analyzed in this assignment. This will be done by comparing the original passage from the Queen´s description of Ophelia´s death with the painting Ophelia by John Everett Millais.
During her description the Queen mythologises Ophelia´s death by using special words or pictures. So the question arises in how far Millais translated these words and pictures into his painting and whether his painting exaggerates or decreases the mythology and symbolic Shakespeare used. To be able to answer this question, similarities and differences between the description of Ophelia´s death and the painting Ophelia by Millais are analysed. To lead to these two scenes of Ophelia´s death and to get deeper into the comparison, it is reasonable to start with an analysis of Ophelia´s position in the play, as well as an analysis of the background of Millais´s Ophelia.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The role of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet
- 3. The background of Millais's painting Ophelia
- 3.1. The Pre-Raffaelite Brotherhood
- 3.2. The development of the painting
- 4. The description of Ophelia's death: The Queen in Hamlet and Millais's painting Ophelia – a comparison
- 4.1. Analysis of Millais's painting Ophelia
- 4.1.1. Composition
- 4.1.2. Colour
- 4.1.3. Way of painting
- 4.1.4. Spatiality
- 4.2. Similarities between the Queen´s description and Millais's Ophelia
- 4.2.1. The way the Queen describes
- 4.2.2. The words used by the Queen
- 4.3. Differences between the Queen's description and Millas's Ophelia
- 4.1. Analysis of Millais's painting Ophelia
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze Ophelia's death in Shakespeare's Hamlet by comparing the Queen's description of the event with John Everett Millais's painting, "Ophelia." The analysis will explore how Millais translates Shakespeare's language and imagery into his visual representation, examining whether the painting enhances or diminishes the mythology and symbolism present in the original text. * Ophelia's role and vulnerability within the patriarchal structure of Hamlet. * The use of language and imagery to depict Ophelia's death in Shakespeare's play. * Millais's artistic interpretation and its relation to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. * A comparative analysis of similarities and differences between Shakespeare's text and Millais's painting. * The exploration of Ophelia's agency, or lack thereof, within the narrative.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for a comparative analysis of Ophelia's death as depicted in Shakespeare's Hamlet and Millais's painting. It establishes the central question of how Millais's artistic interpretation translates Shakespeare's symbolic and mythological language. The chapter outlines the methodology, focusing on identifying similarities and differences between the Queen's description and the painting, which necessitates an examination of Ophelia's role within the play and the background of Millais's work. The introduction clearly defines the scope and objectives of the paper. 2. The role of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet: This chapter delves into Ophelia's position within the play, highlighting her vulnerability as a woman surrounded by powerful men who dictate her actions and thoughts. It underscores her lack of agency and mental fortitude, emphasizing her fragility within a hierarchical structure. Specific scenes are briefly analyzed, such as the theater scene where Hamlet's actions leave her confused and the madness scene where she is subject to multiple interpretations but offers little explanation of her own state. This analysis of Ophelia's limited freedom and power establishes the context for understanding her tragic demise. 3. The background of Millais's painting Ophelia: This section provides crucial background information on Millais's painting "Ophelia" by exploring the context of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, of which Millais was a member. This establishes the artistic and cultural climate that influenced Millais's artistic choices and his approach to representing Ophelia's death. Understanding the Pre-Raphaelite emphasis on detail, symbolism, and a return to earlier artistic traditions is crucial to interpreting the painting.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Ophelia, Hamlet, John Everett Millais, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Shakespeare, Painting, Literature, Comparative Analysis, Patriarchy, Vulnerability, Symbolism, Imagery, Death, Madness, Agency.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Ophelia's Death in Shakespeare's Hamlet and Millais's Painting
What is the overall purpose of this academic paper?
This paper conducts a comparative analysis of Ophelia's death as depicted in Shakespeare's Hamlet and John Everett Millais's painting, "Ophelia." It aims to explore how Millais's artistic interpretation translates Shakespeare's language and imagery into a visual representation, examining the enhancement or diminishment of the original text's mythology and symbolism.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
The analysis focuses on Ophelia's role and vulnerability within Hamlet's patriarchal structure; the use of language and imagery to depict Ophelia's death in Shakespeare's play; Millais's artistic interpretation and its connection to the Pre-Raphaelite movement; a comparative analysis of similarities and differences between Shakespeare's text and Millais's painting; and the exploration of Ophelia's agency (or lack thereof) within the narrative.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction setting the context and methodology; a chapter analyzing Ophelia's role in Hamlet; a chapter detailing the background of Millais's painting, including the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood; a chapter comparing the Queen's description of Ophelia's death in Hamlet with Millais's artistic portrayal; and finally, a conclusion.
How does the paper analyze Millais's painting, "Ophelia"?
The analysis of Millais's painting considers its composition, color palette, painting technique, and spatiality. It seeks to understand how these artistic choices contribute to the overall representation of Ophelia's death and its symbolic meaning.
What aspects of Shakespeare's Hamlet are analyzed?
The paper analyzes Ophelia's position within the play's patriarchal structure, highlighting her vulnerability and lack of agency. It examines the language and imagery used to depict her death, particularly focusing on the Queen's description of the event.
What is the significance of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in this analysis?
Understanding the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is crucial because Millais was a member, and their artistic principles heavily influenced his approach to depicting Ophelia's death. Their emphasis on detail, symbolism, and a return to earlier artistic traditions directly impacts the interpretation of the painting.
What are the key differences and similarities between Shakespeare's text and Millais's painting in their depictions of Ophelia's death?
The paper identifies both similarities and differences between the Queen's description in Hamlet and Millais's visual interpretation. This comparative analysis forms the core of the paper's argument, exploring how Millais translates Shakespeare's symbolic language into visual form.
What keywords describe the content of this academic paper?
Keywords include: Ophelia, Hamlet, John Everett Millais, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Shakespeare, Painting, Literature, Comparative Analysis, Patriarchy, Vulnerability, Symbolism, Imagery, Death, Madness, Agency.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Wenzel (Author), 2010, Ophelia´s death in Shakespeare´s Hamlet and in Millais´s Ophelia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/471460