Hamlet And Ophelia Essay

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In Shakespeare’s Tragedy, Hamlet, one views only two women in the play, however it is Gertrude and Ophelia that provide different, yet significant perspectives to the play. The first of the two perspectives is from Ophelia, a woman who is in deep love with Hamlet, and really cares for him. Despite her love towards Hamlet, she is mistreated by him when he acts “mad.” The pain that Ophelia endures demonstrates to the reader how hard the events of the play must be for someone who loves Hamlet and the relationship between them. On the other side, there is Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, a woman who, like Ophelia, is mistreated by Hamlet, but she brings Hamlets anger upon herself by her marring Claudius. Gertrude is also perceived to be much more ruthless …show more content…
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, there is a lack of information of Ophelia, however the reader, though Ophelia, can perceive Hamlet in a different view; a view that is essential to understanding the play. Ophelia is one of the characters who is the closest to Hamlet, and it is through Ophelia that the reader can perceive how Hamlet treats those who are closest to him. Ophelia states, “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me” (I.3.108). Ophelia pronounces this statement when Polonius, her father inquires her about her true relationship with Hamlet, and one can see that she perceives, and trusts their relationship to be intimate. Due to this close relationship, when Hamlet starts to act strangely, one can see how hard it is for Ophelia, for she is very concerned and mistreated by Hamlet. Hamlet soon even criticizes Ophelia when he states, “You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not” (III.1.127-128). Through Hamlet’s words, one can see how he makes others be the

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