Women in Hamlet and King Lear

H.D.F. Kitto distinguishes between Greek tragedy, which "presents sudden and complete disaster, or one disaster linked to another in linear fashion," and Shakespearean tragedy, which "presents the complexive, menacing spread of ruin." The Greeks, says Kitto, derive tragedy from transgression of "divine law," while Shakespeare derives it from "an evil quality which, once it has broken loose, will feed on itself and anything else that it can find until it reaches its natural end" (Kitto 337). Each in its way, Hamlet and Lear portray the consequences that ensue when the natural order of civilized expectations is artificially interrupted by an exercise of power. In Hamlet, power is attached to Claudius's ambition and lust and in Lear to the king's abdication not merely of kingship but of responsible stewardship over civil society in favor of instant gratification. Fueled by power, the momentum of tragedy develops a life of its own and, as Kitto says, despoils everything in its path.

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Ophelia into the plot to uncover "the very ecstasy of love." As a dutiful daughter and subject, she dare not either reveal the presence of the King and her father or leave Hamlet's presence when it becomes clear she is in the way of his north-northwest madness. In her innocence Ophelia can be forgiven for being confused when Hamlet, in his own despair, urges her to escape from the court, but as the tragedy unfolds that innocence is also laid waste. Nobody reassures her or explains anything to her; she is merely an instrument. Ophelia's confusion compounds at the court play, where Hamlet's despair has been compounded by vengeful anger. He suggests that his head might lie in her lap or between her legs, and talks of "country matters." When she comments on Hamlet's quick interpretation of the play as "keen," he responds as if keen meant erect: "It would cost you a groaning [i.e., the sex act] to take off my edge [i.e., sexual tension]" (III.ii.260). What Hamlet intends as an insult to Claudius has the double effect of violating Ophelia's guilelessness, and when she next appears, she is the very personification of entropy: bereft of male instruction (which was never very good anyway), quite mad, singing dirty songs, her innocence i
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2289
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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