The influence and image of Shakespeare’s Ophelia as a visual icon will be explored at a free public lecture at the University of Bath on Wednesday 27 October.
Dr Allan Phillipson will give an illustrated lecture reflecting on the character of Hamlet’s Ophelia, included in many nineteenth century paintings.
Dr Phillipson said: “Ophelia has been a popular subject for painters, particularly in the nineteenth century. This lecture traces her development as a visual icon—analysing the choices artists have made, the details in their pictures, and their effect on subsequent portrayals of the role, both on stage and screen.”
Dr Phillipson has published articles on Victorian social history, New Zealand literature and film, detective fiction, ecocriticism and tourism. He runs a lecture series on American literature and film at The American Museum based in Bath.
The lecture will be held on Wednesday 27 October from 5.15pm to 6.15pm in Lecture Theatre 8 West 1.1. The lecture is free and there is no need to book. Free parking is available in the West car park at the Claverton Campus from 5pm.
Images of Ophelia is part of the General University Lecture Programme (GULP).