Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Have a question? eNotes editors are standing by to help you.

What does Hamlet mean when he said to Ophelia "go thee to a nunnery"?

sergm12

Student

College - Junior

What I want to know is if Hamlet says that because he does not love Ophelia, or instead  because he loves her so much and he does not want to hurt her..

THANKS

 

Posted by sergm12 on June 26, 2009 at 8:40 PM and tagged with characters, hamlet, ophelia

Rate this question:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message sergm12

Share this question:

2 Answers | add yours

amy-lepore

Teacher

High School - 12th Grade

Editor Emeritus, Debater, Expert, Educator, Whitman, Dickens, The Bard

Hamlet admits in this little conversation that he "loved Ophelia once".  He quickly follows with "I loved you not."  I don't think this means he never loved her, or that he loved her once and...

(The entire answer is 231 words.)

This is an expert answer, written by an eNotes editor. To read the entire answer, please join eNotes.

Posted by amy-lepore on June 26, 2009 at 9:14 PM

Rate this answer:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message amy-lepore

sagesource

Teacher

High School - 12th Grade

Associate Editor, Expert, Dickens, The Bard

This is also a notorious example of how Shakespeare played to all levels of his audience -- in this case, the pit, always appreciative of a double entendre. It is fairly clear that Ophelia has...

(The entire answer is 364 words.)

This is an expert answer, written by an eNotes editor. To read the entire answer, please join eNotes.

Posted by sagesource on June 27, 2009 at 1:55 AM

Rate this answer:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message sagesource

Join for free to answer this question

Join a community of thousands of dedicated teachers and students.

Already a member? Sign in » JOIN eNOTES

Top Tags in Hamlet

See all »

Following Hamlet

See all »

lmetcalf

Editor, Debater, Expert, Educator, Dickens, The Bard

41,822 points

booboosmoosh

Editor Emeritus, Scholar, Debater, Expert, Educator, Scribe, Whitman, Poe, Dickens, The Bard, Churchill

139,272 points

dstuva

Editor, Debater, Expert, Dickens, The Bard

47,227 points

mwestwood

Editor Emeritus, Debater, Expert, Educator, Scribe, Whitman, Poe, Dickens, The Bard, Churchill

239,854 points

mrs-campbell

Editor Emeritus, Scholar, Debater, Expert, Scribe, Whitman, Poe, Dickens, The Bard

83,722 points