Hamlet Group

Question:

tjspencer
tjspencer
Student
Community / Jr. College

Does Hamlet really love Ophelia?

What quotation from the play could be use to show how he really felt about Ophelia?

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Posted by tjspencer on Monday November 17, 2008 at 5:30 AM and tagged with hamlet, love, ophelia.

Answers:


  1. eaglecat Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Indeed he does.  It is out of love for her that he chooses not to involve her in what he must do to bring justice to Denmark.  He loves her but cannot see what possible good could come of it (especially for her) as he deals with his uncle and mother's treachery.  He would prefer that she get to a "nunnery" than to become lustful and sinful like his mother.  He knows that she is being manipulated by her father, Polonius, and it infuriates him.  Check out the following website to search for specific passages for evidence of Hamlet's love.  Of special note is the scene at Ophelia's burial.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/hamlet-character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/ophelia-character-analysis

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    Posted by eaglecat on Monday November 17, 2008 at 9:22 AM


  2. brandih

    eNotes Editor

    This question has also been discussed at the link below.  

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/lit/group/discuss/does-hamlet-love-...

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    Posted by brandih on Monday November 17, 2008 at 2:07 PM