Speaking and Silenced: Female Agency Juliet vs. Ophelia

Abstract

This essay aims to compare the female characters Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Ophelia in Hamlet to discuss the concept of female agency in the works of William Shakespeare, particularly in relation to the characters’ use of speech or silence as tools of power. To achieve this, the essay demonstrates that while both female characters are embedded in a patriarchal society that limits their ability to make choices independently, the voice of Ophelia is under the control of people around her, especially her father, while Juliet’s voice is a way for her to gain some sort of independence as a character as she evolves in the play, shifting from obedient to somewhat an outspoken woman. On the other hand, Ophelia’s powerless condition in the kingdom of Elsinore forces her voice to be ignored; however, madness is the one way in which she can voice her thoughts, even though they do not make sense to anyone else. Another aspect that this essay touches on is how these two characters are remembered even in death. Juliet is remembered in the context of reconciliation, while Ophelia is remembered as others perceive her. The essay uncovers how Shakespeare views voice and silence in reference to gender through close reading and feminist theory.