Role of Women

[IbTrojan]

In Hamlet (William Shakespeare) and the House of the Spirits (Isabel Allende) what kind of techniques can be used to define the role of women in both novels? I know context is a major aspect that can be argued however my teacher suggested against it to avoid the chance of straying away from the actual novels.

 

Hamlet:

Do you think allusions can be used in Hamlet? Or imagery? Or metaphors?

"The fair Ophelia. -- Nymph, in thy orisons/Be all my sins remembered." 

"the unweeded garden"

"Frailty, thy name is woman."

 

 

And for the House of the Spirits:

I'll be honest, plot-wise, I have a good idea of what to use. As for the links to techniques (character development, imagery, structure, narration, setting, themes...etc.), I haven't a clue.

 

Help would be much appreciated!!

Thank you!

 

[Sandy]

I haven't read the house of spirits, but I've read hamlet, so I can help you there. I think allusions and metaphors play a significant role in expressing women's role in the play. I think women are pretty important as hamlet seems to be a misogynist, which probably happened because of his mother's 'overhasty marriage' to claudius. There's also a point in the play where he mentions how fake women are by painting their faces. Anyway, I guess you already many know other examples in the play. If you need help with the imagery, setting, themes, etc. you can refer to these resources, they're pretty helpful.