“HER SPEECH IS NOTHING”: THE COMMUNICATIVE FUNCTION OF SONGS IN OPHELIA’S MAD SCENE
Öz
Music and drama are known to have a close relationship since the birth of Greek tragedy. This study suggests that Ophelia uses songs and singing as an alternative language in communicating her emotions. In IV.v, which is also referred to as Ophelia’s mad scene, she comments upon her personal experiences concerning her relationship with Hamlet and the death of her father Polonius through singing. This paper aims at displaying the reason why Ophelia requires a different mode of communication other than verbal language. After discussing the submissive and silent role that is attributed to Ophelia in Hamlet, the fragments of songs she sings in IV.v are analysed through a close reading of the text. While investigating what these songs indicate in this particular context, musical conventions of Shakespeare’s time are also discussed.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Kaynakça
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