Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

Kelsey McMahan
University of Michigan – Flint
“I Will Obey My Lord”:
Adrian Noble’s Vision of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Previous critics and directors have frequently viewed Ophelia as a young woman who focuses
primarily on her love for Hamlet. However, in the 2008 Stratford Canada production of Shakespeare’s
Hamlet, director Adrian Noble sees Ophelia as a child who has never outgrown her dependence on her
father, Polonius. For Noble, Ophelia’s love for Polonius far outstrips her feelings for Hamlet. Noble uses
costuming, blocking, and stage business in order to present Ophelia initially as a dependent, loving, and
submissive child. Ophelia’s costumes are childish and immature throughout much of the play. During the
mad scene, her identification with her father is stressed when she puts on her father’s jacket and literally
wears his clothing. She remains close to Polonius on stage, often hugging and caressing him, as well as
listening intently to his words. Even when she disagrees with him, she does so in a loving and submissive
way. Noble presents a portrait of Ophelia as a child who has never been able to separate from her father,
and whose love for Hamlet is immature and unformed (Noble).
Noble gives Ophelia a childlike appearance in the beginning of the play during Act One, Scene
Two. This idea is portrayed through her costume and actions. In the opening scene, Ophelia wears a
flowery pinafore. It is designed with light, pastel colors, revealing her innocence. The flowers at this point
in the play are charming on Ophelia. Underneath the pinafore, she wears a tight, button-up shirt which
keeps her body completely covered. She also wears a flowery crown around her head. The head-piece is
similar to one that a child might dress up in today. Noble gives her the appearance of a princess with no
stress in her life whatsoever. The actions she takes are also consistent with a childlike portrayal. When the
scene begins, everyone dances onto the stage celebrating King Claudius, who is new to the throne. As they
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