Ophelia

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Extended Character Analysis

Ophelia is Polonius’s daughter, Laertes’s sister, and Hamlet’s former love-interest. Throughout the play, Ophelia is described as sweet and chaste, the ideal daughter who obeys her father’s wishes and follows orders. However, after her rejection by Hamlet and the death of her father, Ophelia goes mad, ultimately drowning in what many suspect to be a suicide.  

As Laertes departs for France, he warns Ophelia that Hamlet’s attentions may be fleeting—an intuition echoed by her father. They demand that Ophelia stop seeing Hamlet, reminding her that as a prince, Hamlet will not be able to marry her since she is below his station. Ophelia protests weakly, but ultimately bows to the wishes of her family and begins avoiding Hamlet. Ophelia’s obedience is often remarked upon as a positive character trait. However, it is her blind obedience to her father’s will that ultimately destroys her life. Rather than trusting her own instincts and continuing her courtship with Hamlet, she cuts him off, ultimately leading him to deny any former love he had for her. 

As opposed to Laertes and Hamlet, who possess ample freedom, Ophelia’s life is dominated by the need to maintain the appearance of virtue and chastity. The male figures in her life police her sexuality and relationships, forcing her to live a life of isolation and self-denial. Much like Gertrude, Ophelia lacks true agency, instead being defined and confined by men. In Polonius’s eyes, Ophelia must be protected and preserved so that she can make an advantageous marriage. In Hamlet’s eyes, Ophelia is full of the same “frailty” that he charges all women with, a corrupting force that will betray him just as he believes his mother has betrayed him and his father. The only real choice Ophelia makes is to take her own life—and even the reality of that outcome is up for debate. 

Ophelia’s character arc can be read in several different ways. By one reading, she is the ultimate victim, a chaste and innocent girl swept into madness by patriarchal abuse and self-denial. By this interpretation, the true tragedy of Ophelia is that she does nothing wrong. She does exactly what a woman was expected to do by listening to her father and preserving her virtue, only to end up mad once the structures of her life crumble. Ophelia’s apparent suicide is described as a passive affair, reminiscent of her docile obedience in life: she simply lets herself drown because she cannot function independently.

Ophelia’s character can also be viewed from a different angle. The songs Ophelia sings after going mad are full of innuendo and references to lost virtue. These songs open up the reading that Laertes and Polonius’s warnings about Hamlet came too late and that Ophelia is no longer as chaste as others claim. As she sings, Ophelia also passes out flowers, symbolically allowing herself to be “deflowered.” The interpretation that Ophelia is not as chaste as others think alters the meaning of her death. Rather than being the virtuous and passive sacrifice to a world that never taught her how to function independently, Ophelia’s tragedy becomes more personal. Ophelia is spurned by her lover and left without the protection of her father, her madness stemming from a combination of guilt, fear, and the knowledge that her act of agency and willfulness has ruined her in society's eyes.

Regardless of how one reads Ophelia, her death stands as a testament to the double-standard present between men and women in her society. While Laertes is told “to thine own self be true,” Ophelia is treated as an object whose worth depends on her denying her own needs and desires. Even in death, Ophelia is treated as an object; Laertes and Hamlet compete over who loved her more, with neither man able to recognize the role he played in her tragedy. 

Expert Q&A

How did Ophelia die in Shakespeare's Hamlet?

Ophelia dies by drowning in Shakespeare's Hamlet. After falling from a tree branch into a brook, her clothes first keep her afloat but eventually become waterlogged and drag her under. Overcome by grief from her father's death and Hamlet's rejection, Ophelia does not attempt to save herself, suggesting she may have welcomed death.

How does Ophelia's madness in Act 4 compare to Hamlet's?

Ophelia's madness in Act 4 is genuine, contrasting with Hamlet's feigned insanity. Hamlet uses his "madness" strategically to speak freely and protect himself after killing Polonius, while Ophelia's mental breakdown results from overwhelming grief and trauma. Her erratic behavior, such as singing disjointed songs and distributing flowers, indicates true madness, ultimately leading to her suicide. In contrast, Hamlet's madness is a calculated act to navigate the dangerous political situation with Claudius.

What is Ophelia's relationship with her father and brother in Hamlet?

Ophelia's relationships with her father, Polonius, and brother, Laertes, in Hamlet are markedly different. Laertes shows genuine love and concern for Ophelia, advising her to be cautious with Hamlet for her own protection. In contrast, Polonius is more self-interested, concerned about his reputation rather than Ophelia's well-being. He treats her with less care, focusing on how her actions might affect his status. Thus, Ophelia's relationship with Laertes is loving, while her relationship with Polonius is dominated by power dynamics.

What are the similarities between Hamlet and Ophelia's madness?

1) Hamlet and Ophelia both went mad because of their father's death.

2) They were forced to do things they did not want to do.

3) Their madness leads to their tragic deaths.

Hamlet and Ophelia's madness differ significantly. Hamlet pretends to be mad to uncover Claudius's guilt, while Ophelia genuinely loses her sanity due to her father's death and Hamlet's behavior. Unlike Ophelia, Hamlet's apparent madness does not directly lead to his death; rather, his inaction against Claudius results in his demise.

What physical description does Ophelia give of Hamlet?

Ophelia describes Hamlet as appearing disheveled and frightening, with his clothing in disarray: his doublet is unbraced, he wears no hat, his stockings are fouled and ungartered, and he looks pale and distracted. She reports this to her father, Polonius, indicating Hamlet's erratic behavior. Her description highlights the stark contrast between the noble man she once admired and his current, seemingly mad state. This portrayal underscores Hamlet's feigned madness in his interactions with Ophelia.

How does Ophelia's death impact the plot and character development in Hamlet?

Ophelia's death in Hamlet impacts the plot by intensifying the conflict between Hamlet and Laertes, as they both express grief at her funeral, leading to a physical altercation. Her death, reported as accidental but possibly suicidal due to her madness, highlights Hamlet's complex emotions, revealing his love for Ophelia and contributing to his character development. However, it does not directly lead to the final confrontation, as Laertes' actions are more influenced by Claudius than revenge for Ophelia.

What personality disorder might Ophelia from Hamlet have, with proof?

Ophelia from Hamlet might exhibit signs of borderline personality disorder (BPD). This is suggested by her troubled interpersonal relationships and fear of abandonment, as seen in her reliance on men for guidance. Her impulsive act of drowning could indicate a lack of foresight, a common BPD trait. Additionally, her madness might reflect a suppressed fear of sexuality and guilt, potentially stemming from trauma and grief after her father's death and Hamlet's actions.

What conflicts pull Hamlet's and Ophelia's minds into different directions in the play?

Hamlet is torn by his desire to avenge his father's murder while grappling with the moral implications of committing murder himself, leading to his deep frustration and inaction. His soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1 highlights his existential uncertainty about life and death. Ophelia, on the other hand, is conflicted between her loyalty to her father and her feelings for Hamlet, reluctantly agreeing to end her relationship with him despite her unhappiness.

Ophelia's songs in Act 4 of Hamlet reveal the complexities of her relationship with Hamlet

Ophelia's songs in Act 4 of Hamlet reveal her deep emotional turmoil and the complexities of her relationship with Hamlet. The songs reflect themes of love, betrayal, and loss, indicating her heartbreak over Hamlet's actions and her father's death. They underscore her descent into madness and provide insight into her inner world and the impact of the events around her.

Ophelia's reflection on identity and potential in Hamlet

Ophelia's reflections on identity and potential in Hamlet reveal her struggle between her own desires and the expectations placed on her by her father and society. Her tragic end illustrates the destructive impact of these conflicting pressures, ultimately leading to her loss of identity and agency.

Ophelia's description of Hamlet's behavior towards her in Act 2 of Hamlet

In Act 2 of Hamlet, Ophelia describes Hamlet's behavior towards her as erratic and disturbing. She recounts how he appeared disheveled, grabbed her wrist, and stared at her intensely without speaking, suggesting his profound emotional turmoil and possibly feigned madness.

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