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Ophelia Mad Scene Analysis

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In all three versions of Ophelia’s mad scene from Shakespeare 's Hamlet shows us Ophelia in a state of despair. This piece of literature written by Shakespeare in 1603 is a Shakespearean tragedy, which clues the reader that everyone will die. This specific scene is driven by the death of Ophelia’s father, which has in turn caused her to go crazy. This scene is essential to the plot of the rest of the story because it infuriates her brother, Laertes, to thirst for revenge, which then sets the rest of the story into action. One part of this scene that all versions depict similarly is that Ophelia talks with Gertrude. However, these scenes are depicted differently in the way that in the Kate Winslet version, Gertrude is portrayed as calm and worried …show more content…

The third and final element that can be used to analyze these scenes is through looking at the element of language and body language. In the Kate Winslet version, Ophelia speaks in a very panicky tone, and she sounds as though she is out of breath when she is singing the first song. This language is used to allow the viewer to look inside the thoughts of Ophelia, and feel her emotions. In the second part of this same scene, Ophelia is seen singing again, but this time she seems very depressed, but she is very calm. This scene is crucial in understanding this scene as it shows the viewer that Ophelia has come to terms with the fact that her father is gone forever and that she can do nothing to bring him back. In both the Mariah Gale and Helena Bonham-Carter versions, it is very noticeable that Gertrude appears to be incredibly nervous when talking to Ophelia. This change in language from the Kate Winslet version is very important because it totally changes the way the viewer sees the relationship between Gertrude and Ophelia. In the Winslet version, it is apparent that Gertrude appears to be comfortable around Ophelia and she wants to help her out. However, in the Gale and Bonham-Carter versions, Gertrude is perceived as nervous and standoffish toward

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