The Characterization Of Ophelia In F. Scott Fitzgerald's Hamlet

I aimed to write a short story that explored the characterisation of Ophelia in Hamlet through the character, Esther, in my story, Esther. Both Ophelia and Esther are young women who struggle to deal with the conflict between what is expected of them and what they want in life. In both cases, the expectations come from their father. The consequence of these expectations is the theme that is explored in Esther and Hamlet.

In Esther, I sought to explore the expectations placed on Ophelia using a different social context. The social context of Hamlet is a fifteenth century European Kingdom. Ophelia’s father, Polonius, is manipulative and rejects Ophelia’s relationship with Hamlet. He values his reputation and his family’s reputation above his

Scott Fitzgerald. Like Polonius, Mr. Bass is controlling, in this case rejecting Esther’s desire to perform in the theatre. This is shown through Mr. Bass’ comment to Esther, You are not conducting yourself in the way that Bass women must. In both cases, Esther and Ophelia are torn between the rejection of their father and something or someone that they love.

I extracted dialogue directed to Ophelia from Hamlet, and rewrote it to reflect 1920s America in Esther, mirroring the characterisation of Ophelia. For example, Polonius tells Ophelia that ‘it is common for the younger sort to lack discretion’ (Act II Sc I, li 127). Similarly, Mr. Bass tells Esther You lack discretion, young child.

I used evocative language to create sympathy towards Esther. Terms such as malevolence and resentment were used to convey how damaging Mr. Bass’ actions have been on his family. By contrast, nouns including delicacy, passion and contentment convey the positive emotions associated with Esther’s love for her mother and for performing. This use of language encourages readers to feel sympathy for Esther and her situation, as readers do towards Ophelia in