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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help
i'm considering a similar topic for a paper i've got coming up...
though more philosophical than historical...i intend to look at the relationship b/w the dead and the
mourners, from a hegelian point of view. hegel claims that funeral
rites 'universalize the individual' by rationalizing/humanizing an
otherwise absurd act of nature. i intend to look at the manner in
which hamlet mourns his father throughout, as well as the exchanges
that take place b/w hamlet and laertes at ophelia's funeral; this
is a central point b/c hegel says that only family members can
perform the funeral rites, specifically (though he tailors his
argument to fit antigone...) sisters for brothers b/c they have a
special relationship. it seems as though hamlet, kept from giving
his father a proper burial, tries to claim ophelia as his own in
order to be the one to have the special relationship...possible connection to the 'get thee to a nunnery' quote; perhaps
hamlet feels a somewhat sisterly love for ophelia...just rambling...
Posted by egan on April 07, 1997 at 18:47:07
In Reply to "Burial rites and Hamlet" posted by Tami on March 29, 1997 at 19:16:59
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 3.15.97: Top | Help