theme critics: corruption

Question 1

Showalter, 1985: “Ophelia might confirm the possibility…”

Answer 1

“Ophelia might confirm the possibility of representing the feminine in patriarchal discourse as other than madness, incoherence, fluidity, or silence.”

Question 2

Showalter, 1985: “she stands for sexual…”

Answer 2

“she stands for sexual victimisation, bereavement and thrillling emotional extremity.”

Question 3

Gurr, 1978: “the only intractable problem…”

Answer 3

“the only intractable problem […] is young Hamlet. He is the only discordant note in the well-orchestrated Claudian world.”

Question 4

Gardiner: “a profound sickness…”

Answer 4

“a profound sickness afflicts the whole society.”