Ophelia keeps singing, using ambiguous language, to describe her death and future grave. Ophelia sings that “at his head” lies “a grass-green turf” (IV.v.33). Using “head” to represent the leader or the actual body part, from which all intellect, memory, emotions, and thoughts stem from; while “his” is referring to Ophelia (OED). Meanwhile “grass” could mean dismissed from position or to be freed from a fixed engagement (OED). Being “green,” surprisingly, could mean gullible, to roll a woman, or to be envious (OED). Ophelia sings that “he,” meaning herself, lies at “a grass-green turf,” thus revealing her envy for those who lie in such a place. Ophelia conveys her envy for the dead, while at the same time alluding to the fact that she will soon join them. These definitions present a disconnect between the literal and a figurative reading of this song. < For example, looking at this song in the beginning a person might assume Ophelia is speaking of Polonius, who has recently died and been buried.> However, dissecting this song shows another facet of death that concerns Ophelia. Ophelia expresses her grief at the death of Polonius and the loss of Hamlet’s love, but also because she envies the dead.
Ophelia keeps singing, using ambiguous language, to describe her death and future grave. Ophelia sings that “at his head” lies “a grass-green turf” (IV.v.33). Using “head” to represent the leader or the actual body part, from which all intellect, memory, emotions, and thoughts stem from; while “his” is referring to Ophelia (OED). Meanwhile “grass” could mean dismissed from position or to be freed from a fixed engagement (OED). Being “green,” surprisingly, could mean gullible, to roll a woman, or to be envious (OED). Ophelia sings that “he,” meaning herself, lies at “a grass-green turf,” thus revealing her envy for those who lie in such a place. Ophelia conveys her envy for the dead, while at the same time alluding to the fact that she will soon join them. These definitions present a disconnect between the literal and a figurative reading of this song. < For example, looking at this song in the beginning a person might assume Ophelia speaks of Polonius, who recently died.> However, dissecting this song shows another facet of death that concerns Ophelia. Ophelia expresses her grief at the death of Polonius and the loss of Hamlet’s love, but also because she envies the dead.
The corrections you made seem perfect to me! The sentences follow S-V-O and are more to the point with less words being used.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how such little corrections make a whole sentence sound so much better.
One suggestion I have is pertaining to the very first sentence. Perhaps switching things around to say, "Although muddled, all of the language she uses shows that Ophelia knows that death is her fate, and sings to prepare others for her impending death."
I have to agree with Kasie, your corrections are spot on. Good work with the AAAWWUBBIS clause in the beginning. Personally, the difference between your opening sentence and Kasie's correction doesn't really make that much of a difference to me. They both sound right, so i would say it's a style thing, which ever one fits your writing style.
ReplyDeleteBut anyways, nice work.
gosh, everyone, I can't see the revisions, except the last sentence (which you've marked with a <>). Actually, that last sentence isn't in passive voice: be + past participle. Instead, this is be + PRESENT participle (-ing word).
ReplyDeleteYou'll get another crack at this next week.