Shakepeare?s plays have many conversations between parents and adult
children. Mostly father to daughter and mostly regarding concerns that
the daughter has improper or dishonorable plans against the father?s
wishes. A reflection of the poet?s own relationships with his own
adult daughters.
Hamlet
Act I, Scene II
Hamlet and his mother Queen Gertrude begin indirect argumentation that
will escalate throughout the play.
Act I, Scene III
Polonius directly talks to his children Ophelia and Laertes giving advice to both.
Act III, Scene I
Polonius, father of Ophelia, in the presence of the King & Queen,
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, addresses his daughter as to her health
and happiness. Complex scene in which Hamlet?s state of mind is
discussed, then turns to Queen Gertrude and father Polonius expressing
hopes that Hamlet will come to his senses and find Ophelia attractive,
interrupted by Hamlet's entrance and clever word play with Ophelia.
Act III, Scene II
Clever, complex scene in which most of the main characters are
present. Polonius addresses both Hamlet and Ophelia indirectly by
talking to the King and Queen. Queen Gertrude addresses Hamlet
indirectly by speaking to the King and Polonius. Extremely sly word
play as Hamlet is now engaged in verbal dueling with all others.
Act III, Scene IV
Extended conversation between Queen Gertrude and her son Hamlet as he
makes direct accusations and she calls him mad.
Merchant of Venice
Act II, Scene V
Shylock and his daughter Jessica have a strained indirect conversation
regarding his plans and hers.
Romeo and Juliet
Act I Scene III
Lady Capulet and Juliet discuss her intentions about marriage
Othello
Act I, Scene III
Brabantio, father of Desdemona, has been baited by Iago into making
accusations before the Duke and Senators about Othello?s dishonorable
intentions toward his daughter. Othello and Desdemona address the
claims, Desdemona talking both to her father and to the Senate.
Brabantio foreshadows the action to come by warning Othello in his
daughter?s presence that his daughter has dishonored him.
A Midsummer Nights Dream
Act I, Scene I
Egeus, the father and his daughter Hermia discuss her marriage plans
and the tension of father-daughter over conflicting intentions.
Titus Andronicus
Act III, Scene I
Titus Andronicus and his sons Martius and Quintus and Lucius. Titus
and his son Lucius have a tragic, intense conversation before Senate
judges that have condemned the other two sons to execution. Titus
pleading for their lives, Lucius telling his father that it is in
vain.
The Shakespearean device of characters talking to each other
indirectly by speaking to other characters who have a vested interest
in the action is common and adds a wicked twist. |