One of my all-time favorite songs is "Sweet Ophelia" by Zella Day. I never really understood it before reading Hamlet, but it all makes sense now! This song is about the loss of innocence, just like Ophelia's innocence was lost over the course of the play.
Lyrics (in short):
Believe me now, you're too young girl
Cherry pie and your gold curls
Growin' up like a grapevine
Wrapped around you in due time
Sweet Ophelia!
When young blood escapes
Vows that break go up, up away
Singing like it's a full moon
Careless now that he has you
Turns you on to the right songs
Promises that you're hooked on
The song begins to talk about how Ophelia is very young and innocent, but she gradually grows up and matures "like a grapevine". This could relate to our time motif and how it plays a role in the development of the plot over time, since so much happens in such a short period. Even watching Hamlet the movie, we can see Ophelia's change, as she was once a very jubilant character who takes on a more melancholy appearance. The "vows" mentions could also be Ophelia and Hamlet's vows of love to each other, as they once did proclaim their love for each other, that are broken off after Hamlet claims "I loved you not" (Act 3).
Then, the song and story-line progress to Ophelia singing her songs about Hamlet's old promises to love her in her crazed madness. The song that alludes to the Saint Valentine custom could be Ophelia woefully mourning as she drawls, "How should I your true love know from another one?" She was "hooked on" to the promises of Hamlet's affection, until they were broken, just as she was. Finally, the song then dies out, just like Ophelia did.
:)
:|
No comments:
Post a Comment