Performances of Performances of Hamlet’s “OPHELIA”Hamlet’s “OPHELIA”

By: Maggie GreeneBy: Maggie GreeneKayla PersichettiKayla PersichettiKate Corcoran Kate Corcoran Jaclyn MarksJaclyn Marks

Performance ApproachPerformance Approach Plays such as Hamlet have been performed Plays such as Hamlet have been performed

hundreds of times in several different methods, in hundreds of times in several different methods, in many languages, in different time periods, and many languages, in different time periods, and with different approaches.with different approaches.

By studying various performances of Hamlet and By studying various performances of Hamlet and the way specific characters are performed, in this the way specific characters are performed, in this case Ophelia, it is possible to examine the case Ophelia, it is possible to examine the underlying meanings of the original play. underlying meanings of the original play.

Actors and directors sometimes incorrectly portray Actors and directors sometimes incorrectly portray certain characters, but it can still give the reader certain characters, but it can still give the reader insight to see these performances.insight to see these performances.

The audience’s response also plays a key role in The audience’s response also plays a key role in criticism of Hamlet.criticism of Hamlet.

Certain points about the play will never be agreed Certain points about the play will never be agreed on, and an individual’s personal experience and on, and an individual’s personal experience and beliefs can affect the way they view the play. beliefs can affect the way they view the play.

Jean Simmons as OpheliaJean Simmons as Ophelia Jean is an actress that was born Jean is an actress that was born

in London in 1929.in London in 1929. She starred in the version of She starred in the version of

Hamlet by Laurence Olivier in Hamlet by Laurence Olivier in the 1940’s age of Shakespeare.the 1940’s age of Shakespeare.

She began acting at age 14 and She began acting at age 14 and playing Ophelia made her want playing Ophelia made her want to be serious actress. It also to be serious actress. It also made her a star.made her a star.

She was nominated at the She was nominated at the Academy Awards for best Academy Awards for best supporting actress for her supporting actress for her performance in Hamlet performance in Hamlet

She was in over 70 movies and She was in over 70 movies and won 2 Oscars.won 2 Oscars.

In 1968 she sought treatment In 1968 she sought treatment for her alcohol addiction. for her alcohol addiction.

The FilmThe Film

Olivier’s Hamlet has been critiqued as “the Olivier’s Hamlet has been critiqued as “the artistic reprise of a childhood sexual trauma artistic reprise of a childhood sexual trauma suffered by the director.”suffered by the director.”

In Olivier’s Hamlet, much of the Shakespearian In Olivier’s Hamlet, much of the Shakespearian text was cut out.text was cut out.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern disappeared Rosencrantz and Guildenstern disappeared entirely and other major textual alterations entirely and other major textual alterations occured.occured.

Hamlet was played by the director, Lawrence Hamlet was played by the director, Lawrence Olivier.Olivier.

The film’s prologue was very controversial. It The film’s prologue was very controversial. It seemed to reduce the play to a story about a man seemed to reduce the play to a story about a man who could not make up his mind.who could not make up his mind.

Female ApproachFemale Approach

When looking for a traditional iconic When looking for a traditional iconic Ophelia, Lawrence Olivier’s Hamlet is Ophelia, Lawrence Olivier’s Hamlet is the benchmark by which all film the benchmark by which all film adaptations should be compared.adaptations should be compared.

The iconic Ophelia is picturesque and The iconic Ophelia is picturesque and obedient with a goal to please everyone. obedient with a goal to please everyone. 

After she becomes mad, Ophelia's hair is After she becomes mad, Ophelia's hair is wild, like her nature. wild, like her nature. 

Simmons played Ophelia as a secluded, Simmons played Ophelia as a secluded, protected, well-brought up young girl, protected, well-brought up young girl, whose sudden exposure to the backwash whose sudden exposure to the backwash of jealousy, intrigue, vendetta and murder of jealousy, intrigue, vendetta and murder is simply too much for her is simply too much for her

Helena Bonham Carter as Helena Bonham Carter as OpheliaOphelia

Helena is an actress born in Helena is an actress born in London that had no formal acting London that had no formal acting training. training.

She starred in Franco Zeffirelli’s She starred in Franco Zeffirelli’s version of Hamlet, which was version of Hamlet, which was released in 1990 and is the only released in 1990 and is the only Hamlet movie set in Hamlet movie set in Shakespearian time.Shakespearian time.

This was the first film by Icon This was the first film by Icon Production.Production.

The film was nominated for the The film was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Art Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Direction and Best Costume Design.Design.

Carter plays opposite Mel Gibson Carter plays opposite Mel Gibson as Hamlet. as Hamlet.

Helena is innocent, naïve, and Helena is innocent, naïve, and obedient but in her acting, her obedient but in her acting, her madness seems real and madness seems real and tangible. tangible.

The Film and Helena’s The Film and Helena’s VersionVersion

Zeffirelli’s Hamlet is regarded as a Zeffirelli’s Hamlet is regarded as a textual realization. textual realization.

The film is influenced by Gibson’s The film is influenced by Gibson’s earlier action-man roles and the movie earlier action-man roles and the movie is much more fast-paced than other is much more fast-paced than other versions.versions.

Helena as Ophelia conveys the Helena as Ophelia conveys the impression of a woman that thinks for impression of a woman that thinks for herself. She opposes her father with herself. She opposes her father with her defiant looks and challenges what her defiant looks and challenges what men expect of her.men expect of her.

Zeffirelli offers a fully sexual Ophelia.Zeffirelli offers a fully sexual Ophelia. In the mad scene, she is dirty, sweaty, wild-In the mad scene, she is dirty, sweaty, wild-

eyed, and half dressed. eyed, and half dressed. She presses herself against the guard while She presses herself against the guard while

singing songs. singing songs. She sits on the thrown in Gertrude's seat She sits on the thrown in Gertrude's seat

while Leartes, Gertrude, and Claudius watch while Leartes, Gertrude, and Claudius watch her. her.

Helena thought Ophelia was under-written, but Helena thought Ophelia was under-written, but she tried to make Ophelia as strong as she tried to make Ophelia as strong as possible.possible.

Helena thought one of the hardest parts of Helena thought one of the hardest parts of playing Ophelia was pretending she was dead playing Ophelia was pretending she was dead and being completely relaxed on her close-ups.and being completely relaxed on her close-ups.

Helena plays Ophelia as a victim of emotional Helena plays Ophelia as a victim of emotional double-binding and sexual trauma.double-binding and sexual trauma.

She also invokes the recovered memory She also invokes the recovered memory hysteria of the 1980s.hysteria of the 1980s.

She appears to be a generation younger than She appears to be a generation younger than Glenn Close (Gertrude) and Mel Gibson Glenn Close (Gertrude) and Mel Gibson (Hamlet).(Hamlet).

The “Mad Scenes”The “Mad Scenes” Epitome of the Epitome of the

preoccupation, child preoccupation, child abuse.abuse.

Girlish madness-playful, Girlish madness-playful, childish, vulnerabilitychildish, vulnerability

Doomed victim of Doomed victim of sexual abuse sexual abuse mischievously replaying mischievously replaying a taboo scene before a taboo scene before skipping pathetically skipping pathetically toward death.toward death.

Express a traumatized Express a traumatized adolescent state of adolescent state of mind rooted in sexual mind rooted in sexual transgression.transgression.

Kate Winslet as Ophelia Kate Winslet as Ophelia

Kate Winslet is an English actress and Kate Winslet is an English actress and occasional singer that is known for playing occasional singer that is known for playing many diverse characters.many diverse characters.

She was born October 5She was born October 5thth 1975 in Reading, 1975 in Reading, England as the daughter of a barmaid and England as the daughter of a barmaid and a swimming pool contractor.a swimming pool contractor.

Kate played Ophelia in Kenneth Branagh's Kate played Ophelia in Kenneth Branagh's film version of Hamlet which was released film version of Hamlet which was released in the 1990’s era of Shakespeare and was in the 1990’s era of Shakespeare and was nominated for 4 Oscars.nominated for 4 Oscars.

Branagh’s Hamlet, Branagh’s Hamlet, which runs over 4 which runs over 4 hours, was hours, was first first unabridged theatrical unabridged theatrical film version of the play. film version of the play.

The film includes all of The film includes all of Shakespeare’s original Shakespeare’s original text.text.

Branagh directed the Branagh directed the film so it would be film so it would be performed in a way performed in a way that he thought that he thought Shakespeare would Shakespeare would appreciate. appreciate.

In the film, Branagh In the film, Branagh stars as Hamlet stars as Hamlet opposite Winslet.opposite Winslet.

Kate Winslet’s VersionKate Winslet’s Version

When Kate plays Ophelia, it is made clear that she When Kate plays Ophelia, it is made clear that she is no virgin when she is shown twice in bed with is no virgin when she is shown twice in bed with Hamlet. It seems hypocritical when she then Hamlet. It seems hypocritical when she then chooses her father over Hamlet and Hamlet’s chooses her father over Hamlet and Hamlet’s feelings of betrayal are understandable.feelings of betrayal are understandable.

When Hamlet brutally accuses Ophelia, Winslet When Hamlet brutally accuses Ophelia, Winslet makes the character seem as though she deserves makes the character seem as though she deserves it.it.

Branagh’s version seems to doom Ophelia more Branagh’s version seems to doom Ophelia more than the original Shakespearian Hamlet. This is than the original Shakespearian Hamlet. This is possibly because the film was released in the post-possibly because the film was released in the post-feminist era and it seems appropriate to blame feminist era and it seems appropriate to blame Ophelia for being a traitor to the man she loved.Ophelia for being a traitor to the man she loved.

No Audition?No Audition?

For Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, Kate Winslet For Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, Kate Winslet was not required to audition. was not required to audition.

She had previously auditioned for the role of She had previously auditioned for the role of “Elizabeth” in Branagh’s Frankenstein in 1994.“Elizabeth” in Branagh’s Frankenstein in 1994.

When Branagh was casting the roles for When Branagh was casting the roles for Hamlet, he chose Kate without so much as a Hamlet, he chose Kate without so much as a reading. reading.

When they began filming, Branagh wanted When they began filming, Branagh wanted Kate to play Ophelia with spunk, and not be Kate to play Ophelia with spunk, and not be limp or submissive.limp or submissive.

Kate is one of the BestKate is one of the Best Many Ophelias play the sweet-but dumb card and are bossed Many Ophelias play the sweet-but dumb card and are bossed

around by all the men in the play.around by all the men in the play. When Kate’s Ophelia speaks to her brother, she is intelligent and When Kate’s Ophelia speaks to her brother, she is intelligent and

witty and her mad scenes of some of the most vivid and startling. witty and her mad scenes of some of the most vivid and startling. Kate’s performance is that of a strong and rebellious woman. Kate’s performance is that of a strong and rebellious woman. Her straitjacket and padded cell show how dangerous her Her straitjacket and padded cell show how dangerous her

madness is, as well as her desperation.madness is, as well as her desperation. Winslet embodies the relatively liberated though ultimately Winslet embodies the relatively liberated though ultimately

thwarted 1990s. thwarted 1990s.

In Act 4, Scene 5 Winslet In Act 4, Scene 5 Winslet takes a different approach takes a different approach by falling to her knees during by falling to her knees during song.song.

Winslet’s Ophelia wears Winslet’s Ophelia wears white, indicating virginal and white, indicating virginal and vacant, but she also shows vacant, but she also shows sexual tension.sexual tension.

The audience feels bad for The audience feels bad for Kate’s Ophelia, because she Kate’s Ophelia, because she has the evils of secrecy has the evils of secrecy thrust upon her, rather than thrust upon her, rather than seeking them out herself.seeking them out herself.

Winslet’s character is also Winslet’s character is also sprayed by a hose in the sprayed by a hose in the film, foreshadowing her film, foreshadowing her watery death.watery death.

Video Clip of Kate WinsletVideo Clip of Kate Winslet

Marianne Faithfull as OpheliaMarianne Faithfull as Ophelia

Marianne is an Marianne is an actress, singer, actress, singer, songwriter, and diarist songwriter, and diarist born in London.born in London.

She played Ophelia in She played Ophelia in Tony Richardson’s Tony Richardson’s Hamlet in 1969 Hamlet in 1969 opposite Nicol opposite Nicol Williamson as Hamlet.Williamson as Hamlet.

She struggled with She struggled with drug abuse in her life.drug abuse in her life.

Playing OpheliaPlaying Ophelia

Marianne played Ophelia as a Marianne played Ophelia as a drugged, rebellious youth. drugged, rebellious youth.

She was very depressed at the time She was very depressed at the time and took heroin before performing and took heroin before performing her mad scene.her mad scene.

In her mad scene, Marianne is shot in In her mad scene, Marianne is shot in close up and she mocks the King and close up and she mocks the King and Queen defiantly.Queen defiantly.

She was a youthful She was a youthful sixties icon and was sixties icon and was cast at 17 years old. cast at 17 years old.

Nicol Williamson looks Nicol Williamson looks much older than much older than Marianne in the film and Marianne in the film and an attraction between an attraction between drugs, music, drugs, music, unbalanced femininity, unbalanced femininity, and male students who and male students who should have graduated should have graduated long ago explains the long ago explains the generations. generations.

As if Faithfull really was As if Faithfull really was Ophelia, later in her life Ophelia, later in her life she attempted suicide she attempted suicide after her boyfriend after her boyfriend drowned.drowned.

Casting Marianne Faithfull had Casting Marianne Faithfull had intentional consequences. She had a intentional consequences. She had a reputation that involved drugs, rock reputation that involved drugs, rock and roll, and sex and a relationship and roll, and sex and a relationship with Mick Jagger that would definitely with Mick Jagger that would definitely affect the audience’s interpretation affect the audience’s interpretation of Ophelia.of Ophelia.

This is using cultural criticism, This is using cultural criticism, showing how perception of Ophelia is showing how perception of Ophelia is shaped by popular culture- Marianne shaped by popular culture- Marianne Faithfull in the media.Faithfull in the media.

When Richardson When Richardson directed Faithfull in directed Faithfull in her role as Ophelia, her role as Ophelia, he raises the he raises the question of the question of the character’s character’s innocence and hints innocence and hints that she is a closet that she is a closet whore.whore.

This would indicate This would indicate that her father’s that her father’s containment of her is containment of her is necessary. necessary.

When Ophelia breaks When Ophelia breaks down into madness, down into madness, she reveals her she reveals her familiarity with sex.familiarity with sex.