The Paradigm of the Angel/Whore Dichotomy in Hamlet

Thesis In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the two female characters Gertrude and Ophelia possess characteristics of the “angel”, or the ideal renaissance woman. This is ironic because the “ideal renaissance woman” would not have a large impact on society, as Gertrude and Ophelia do on the plot of Hamlet. This shows that Hamlet transcends the binary model because both Gertrude and Ophelia show characteristics of both, the angel and the whore.

Play 1 Gertrude Ophelia “…She married. O most wicked speed!” (1.2.158) “I will, my lord, I pray you pardon me.” (5.2.234) “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (1.2.148)  Ophelia “Tender yourself more dearly” (1.3.107) “I shall obey my lord” (1.3. 136) “get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.122) “be though chaste as ice, pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny.” (2.2.136)

Overall Views of Women in Shakespearean Society Two views - angel or whore Used to intensify the tragic stature of primary revenger  These are insufficient  angel - chaste  whore - antithesis of the angel  Ironic 

Play 2 “Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive against the mother aught.” (1.5.92-93) “You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s wife, and you are my mother.”(3.4.20-21) “It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.” (5.2.319)

Gertrude Dependent on Men Never Made Own Choices Remarried One Act of Independence Result in Death Irony

Play 3 “A violet in the youth of primy nature,” (1.3.7-10) “rose of the fair state” (3.1.154) “crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purple” (4.7.168-169) “this nothing’s more than matter,” (4.5.172) “I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died” (4.5.181-183)

Ophelia Imagery- Symbolism- Situaional Irony- Significance- loving, gentle and innocent Symbolism- flowers Situaional Irony- silent bystander suddenly knowledgeable of the truth Significance- epitome of goodness and truthfulness

Credits Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Woodbury, NY: Barron's, 1986. Print. "An Introduction to Ophelia from Hamlet by William Shakespeare." An Introduction to Ophelia from Hamlet by William Shakespeare. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016. By Hiding behind His Mask of Insanity after Accidentally Killing Ophelia’s Father, Ophelia’s Lover Ultimately Loses His True-love: Ophelia. Hamlet Is the Name of Ophelia’s Lover and the Title of Shakespeare’s Most Renowned Play. Although Ophelia Is Not the Focal Character in Hamlet, the Audience Is Moved by the Subtleness and Complexity of Her Mind. The Audience Feels Sympathetic towards Ophelia Because She Is Completely Undeserving of Her Emotional and Physical Suffrages throughout This Tragedy. Ophelia’s Character Can Be Developed through the Use of the Literary Devices of Figurative Imagery, Symbolism and Irony. "Ophelia Developed by Symbolism Imagery and Irony." Essays, Research Papers, Dissertations & Etc. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2016. Findlay, Alison. "Gertrude." Women In Shakespeare (2010): 152-154. Literary Reference Center. Web. 14 Oct. 2016. Grimmett, Roxanne. "'By heaven and hell': re-evaluating representations of women and the angel/whore dichotomy in Renaissance revenge tragedy." Journal of International Women's Studies 6.3 (2005): 31+. General OneFile. Web. 14 Oct. 2016.