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Is madness a sort of independence for Ophelia?  How does her madness differ from that of Hamlet's? 

Hers is not feigned, for one.  Hamlet pretends to be mad much of the time even though he is a little crazy over the situation into which his mother has thrust him and the country.

Ophelia, being trapped by her role as sister and obedient daughter, not to mention that of lesser courtier, seeks a way to free herself from the societal ties that bind.  I do think that madness was her only escape, until, that is, she dies.