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Post by KaylaElaine :) on Oct 12, 2011 16:03:30 GMT -5
In act one, I think that Ophelia is a weak character. She does not stand up for herself, she just lets everyone tell her what to do. In scene three, Laertes and Polonius both tell her to stay away from Hamlet and even though she doesn't believe the things they are saying about him, she just tells them she will obey. I think this is ridiculous because she should stand up for herself and tell them that she loves him and believes what he is telling her. I don't think it's fair for Laertes and Polonius to tell her what to do, because of how they feel about him. They should let her make her own opinions and judgements about people.
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Post by birdmanswag on Oct 13, 2011 11:32:35 GMT -5
I feel she isn't actually as weak as you say she is. In those times men were superior to women and it could be against the social customs for her to disobey her father. I also believe that just because she said she would obey her father and brother does not neccesairly mean that she will. If she really does love Hamlet i don't think she will let their words stand in her way of pursuing him. We shall see what she ends up doing and the future of Ophelia and Hamlet.
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Post by derekdowney on Oct 13, 2011 11:33:56 GMT -5
Although i agree it is disappointing to see a racial inequality, this book was written in the 1600's where women were unfortunately 2nd class citizens. Women in this time period were still seen as below men thus for Ophelia to talk back to a man would be out of line. However Ophelia does get in one jab back at Laertes. "But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads And recks not his own rede." (24) Basically she is saying don't give me advice if you can't follow it yourself, so she isn't necessarily weak so much as stuck in societal norms.
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Post by maribarraza on Oct 13, 2011 11:35:42 GMT -5
She does stand up for herself its just not that noticeable because her way of standing up for herself is by asking questions such as on page twenty-two when she says "No more but so?" (Nothing more than that?) and "Do you doubt that?" By asking questions she is also trying to get Laertes and Polonius to strongly believe what they say about why they don't like Hamlet. She also says on page twenty-four "Do not be like the one who is tempted (to flirt) and does not follow his own advice" which can be taken as thanks for the advice but you should also follow some of that advice as well. It can also be taken as thanks I will listen to that advice when you can take advice as well.
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Post by mbenoit on Oct 16, 2011 22:44:18 GMT -5
(Extra Credit) I do not believe that Ophelia is a weak character. She is doing everything possible to stand up for herself. It would be unbelievable for Ophelia to disrespect her father and brother openly, as it was not the norm of the time. I predict that as the story progresses Ophelia will do more to fight for what she wants. Ophelia seems to have true feelings for Hamlet and he obviously does for her as well. Shakespeare has a history of lovers from different backgrounds finding their way together, as in Romeo and Juliet. It would make sense that Ophelia and Hamlet would finally end up together even with the odds stacked against them.
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