How Does Hamlet Love Ophelia

Hamlet’s Love for Ophelia In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the theme of love is prevalent, especially between Hamlet and Ophelia. This theme is widely debated among critics with the arguments being that Hamlet loves Ophelia throughout the entire play, or the polar opposite, that he uses her as her father and brother warned. Hamlet’s love for Ophelia shines throughout the story through his diction and actions showing his true feelings towards her further showing how Hamlet’s revengeful spirit does not affect his relationships with other characters. In the opening act of Hamlet, Shakespeare uses the words of other characters to express Hamlet’s feelings for Ophelia. Polonius begins to warn his daughter that Hamlet is only using her because, according …show more content…
He lists all the things he would do for her while also questioning everyone else. He says that he would fight for her, he would fast for her, which is also an allusion to Christianity, and that he would even eat a crocodile. Hamlet is saying ‘I would do all these things for her, would you?’ and that proves his love. By saying he would do this for her, he is showing that he puts Ophelia’s life before his own. True sacrifice shows love and this is the case in this scene. Even though he is mad at Laertes for claiming her death is his fault he still shows his love for Ophelia, once again emphasizing that his love for her is not diminished by his anger towards other characters. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a love story hidden underneath revenge and death. Many people have many interpretations of Hamlet, but there is no denying that he truly loved Ophelia. Throughout the play, Hamlet consistently shocked the audience with different displays of affection towards her, even when all hope was lost. From the beginning to the final act, Hamlet never lost sight of what was important to him; his one true love,