IBDP Language and Literature HL Written Task #4

Literature: Critical Study

25 October 2019
Rationale (269 words)

This written task focuses on Part 4 of the course which is the critical study of literature. I
will be aiming to reveal the learning outcome, “analyse elements such as theme and the ethical
stance or moral values of literary texts” from William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. In class,
we have discussed many themes of the play and dissected many of Shakespeare’s own personal
perspectives that is being expressed through his work. An example being Shakespeare’s
standpoint on women. Women in the middle ages were perceived to be second-class citizens and
were subordinate to men, which directly influenced how Shakespeare described the women in his
text. He wrote women to be dependent on men and vulnerable, as well as always needing socio
political support to survive. In this case, their socio political support would be the ‘protection’
given from the men. The aim of this written task is to further explore the mind of a woman in
this environment and to justify their actions.

I chose to explore this in the form of diary entries, specifically Ophelia’s diary entries.
Diaries can be used as a personal record of one’s experiences, feelings and emotions. I believe
that this would be a good way to examine a first-person perspective of a woman in the middle
ages because a diary gives the opportunity for one to truly express what they feel, under no guilt
or pressure from any external sources. Ophelia’s actions are heavily defined by the men in this
play, so I decided to write two entries to compare when she had her support system (men) and
when that system had collapsed.
Diary Entries (820 words)

January 27, 1357

Dear Diary,

It’s been a very emotionally exhausting day today. Not only did my sweet brother,
Laertes, return to France to continue his education, but before he parted he, with the help of my
father, has made me aware of the risks and threats that may arise from my relationship with
Hamlet. It is something that I never really considered. Or maybe it is just something that I did not
want to consider. Before this, I have never doubted our relationship. He has made many tenders
of affections towards me, making me feel loved and quite satisfied.

It was honestly going all well until Laertes first urged me to be more careful with
Hamlet, warning me to act consciously and to not forget my reputation. He told me that Hamlet’s
love for me is merely just an act and that it will fade very quickly. He seemed so worried and
anxious, making me feel just as tense. Worried about what I may do if I continue my relationship
with Hamlet. Anxious about whether I had already lost myself trying to pursue my love towards
Hamlet. My father too, has advised me that Hamlet was not a man to trust. He said that he has a
lot more freedom to fool around and that he would not dedicate and devote so much time to a
woman like me.

It makes sense. He is of higher stature than my family and his reputation is of high value.
He could break my heart in a second. Maybe what Laertes and father has been telling me is true.
Maybe I have been losing my sight of my honor as a woman. I have lost a part of my dignity
searching for love. And maybe there is a chance that Hamlet is using me for his benefit. I do not
want to believe it, of course. He has made so many promising vows confessing his love for me,
but not I just do not know what to think. Father has made it clear that Hamlet has no time or care
for a woman like me. Knowing and understanding this, I must therefore obey my father and
respect Laertes’ commands and will cease to spend any more time with Hamlet.

May 15, 1357

Dear Diary,

I’ve lost all connections to my senses. I can no longer feel, think or move. It is like my
mind has left my body completely and just left it out to dry. How can I even move on from this?
My father, who has suggested solutions and has guided me through my problems is dead. Now
there’s an even bigger dilemma that needs to be figured out, but who will do that? There is no
one else I can turn to. My brother who I used to run to is gone too. Gosh why did he have to go
to France in such perilous times?

With my father and brother out of the picture, the only person left for me to pursue is
Hamlet. The man who had confessed his love for me and soon after took it right back. Does he
want me or does he not? One second he can seek for my attention and ask for so much of me and
the other second he can tell me to become a nun. What does he want from me? He is also the
man who had killed my father. After everything he has done to me and my family, is it wrong to
still love him? What would my father say? What would Laertes say? Does it even matter if they
are no longer here with me? After all, Hamlet had once guided me through this very life. He has
done it once, he can do it again. But would Hamlet want to accept me back after I have betrayed
him by allowing my father to spy on our conversation? Nothing will beat the fact that he had
killed my father, whom I loved. He had taken away my one last stable source of protection, but I
still love him.

I am going around in circles now. I cannot come to any conclusion for the mess that is
my life. Father, Laertes and Hamlet has asked too much of me. I cannot fulfill one’s orders
without betraying the other. Father and Laertes has told me to stay away from Hamlet. That is
what I have been trying to do. Doing this has only made things worse for my relationship with
Hamlet though. He is now my only hope, but I cannot dare to approach him after his inconsistent
actions and how badly he has treated me. Many in town have also said he has gone mad
anyways. There is no way that I will be able to secure Hamlet for myself now. So I am lost as a
violet blooming in the garden of this castle.