In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the character of Ophelia is portrayed as an easily controlled, dependent, and weak individual. Throughout the play, a number of tragedies occur, and with them, Ophelia's characteristics are seen even more.
Early in the play, Ophelia's tendency to be easily controlled is seen when she interacts with her brother Laertes and her father Polonius. Laertes begins by telling her that she should avoid Hamlet because he is after one thing and one thing only. Polonius then adds to this by telling Ophelia " Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence; Set your entreatments at a higher rate than command to a parley." (78.121-122). Ophelia responds to this by saying that she will obey, which is a statement that shows her willingness to be controlled. If she truly loved Hamlet, she would oppose her father's wishes and would do anything to be with Hamlet. This, in part, could be that Ophelia likes the fact that she does not have to make any major decisions in her life. Knowing that someone will always be there to decide things for oneself and also thinking that they are in one's best interest may be one's definition of a good life.
The fact that Ophelia is easily controlled contributes to the fact that she is dependent on others. She has been controlled for so long that life as she knows it is simply relying on others, mainly Polonius and Laertes. When Ophelia confides in her father that Hamlet came to her and was "mad for thy love" (89.86), Polonius devises a plan in order to show the King and Queen that the cause of Hamlet's madness is indeed that of a love sick fool. Ophelia did not deal with the matter herself, instead, she told her father whom she knew would take care of it for her. This, again, is tied with Ophelia's tendency to be controlled. She relies on others so she does not have to deal with the unpleasant situations in life, which may simply be because she does not know how.
Polonius is telling Ophelia that she must stay away from Hamlet. Ophelia's response to this order is, "I shall obey, my lord." Ophelia is very passive to her father in this passage. ... Throughout the play, Hamlet tries to show his love for Ophelia. ... Hamlet accidentally kills Ophelia's Father. ...
Ophelia is influenced and controlled by those around her. ... In this scene Ophelia takes her brother's advice without an argument. ... "Ophelia's madness is even more serious. ... This is when the reader can see Ophelia digress into her madness. ... Soon after her father's death Ophelia goes mad. ...
The only three people Ophelia cares about, Polonius, Laertes, and Hamlet, do not care about Ophelia enough to do what is right for her. Ophelia's father, Polonius, is an extremely unintelligent and self-centered man. ... In addition to Polonius, Ophelia's brother, Laertes, does not look out for Ophelia either. ... The only man that Ophelia loves, Hamlet, is the prince of Denmark. ... Ophelia is helpless in her own life. ...
The only three people Ophelia cares about, Polonius, Laertes, and Hamlet, do not care about Ophelia enough to do what is right for her. Ophelia's father, Polonius, is an extremely unintelligent and self-centered man. ... In addition to Polonius, Ophelia's brother, Laertes, does not look out for Ophelia either. ... The only man that Ophelia loves, Hamlet, is the prince of Denmark. ... Ophelia is helpless in her own life. ...
He mentions flowers and herbs to indirectly refer to Ophelia. ... Ophelia gives fennel, which represent flattery, to the King. ... Ophelia also gives Gertrude a daisy. ... Shakespeare uses flowers to refer to Ophelia. Flowers represent Ophelia's innocence and beauty. ...
In William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the title character's love for Ophelia comes into question. ... In this essay I will demonstrate that Hamlet's feelings for Ophelia are true and he loves her. Throughout the play there are key passages and actions that demonstrate Hamlet's affinity for Ophelia. Hamlet being discreet and personal time and time again reassures Ophelia of his love for her. ... This might imply that Ophelia is pregnant with Hamlet's child. ...
Now, Ophelia is broken hearted and later learning that her father was murdered by the one she loves, was just enough to steer Ophelia into complete insanity. ... So he decided to test Ophelia's loyalty. ... At this point Hamlet knows Ophelia is lying. ... First he would use Ophelia to cure Hamlet's madness. ... This rejection puts Ophelia on the verge of insanity. ...
His random acts and wild manner towards Ophelia leave readers to question the validity of his love for Ophelia. ... However, upon Ophelia's death, Hamlet realizes that his feelings towards Ophelia never changed and that he had always loved her. ... Ophelia serves as the vehicle for Hamlet's insanity. ... Ophelia's death reminds Hamlet of how much he loves her. ... When Hamlet realizes that it is Ophelia they are burying, he refers to her as fair Ophelia. ...
In this phrase it becomes obvious that Ophelia is completely controlled by her father. ... Shakespeare proves that Ophelia genuinely loves Polonious through the simple fact that Ophelia is constantly confiding in him for advice. ... Ophelia creates an immense contribution to the meaning of obedience behind the play. ... Ophelia's heart has convinced her otherwise. It is obvious that Ophelia loves Hamlet, but another question is raised; Does Hamlet love Ophelia? ...
