Ophelia's Role In Hamlet

Ophelia is not one of the major characters in Hamlet. She only appears five of the 20

scenes in Hamlet, however “She is linked forever, for centuries, to the figure of Hamlet” (Lacan.

p.20). Ophelia represents the repressed females of her era. As one of two females in the male

dominated play, her life was controlled by the men around her including Hamlet, Polonius, and

Laertes. She did not have a say in her life and was limited in opportunities. She was also

controlled by the society around her telling her what was and was not appropriate for women of

her time. She was constantly abused by Hamlet throughout the play driving her insane and to the

brink of death. Ophelia’s naivety leads to her demise. She follows what others tell her to …show more content…
The control that the

men in Ophelia’s life have over her leads to her insanity.

She has never been able to make decisions for herself due to the fact that they have

always been made for her, an example being her relationship with Hamlet. When she goes to her

father with news of Hamlets awkward actions she is tells him because she cannot make decisions

for herself without the help of an outside force.an example includes when Ophelia is telling her

father about hamlet still being madly in love with her; she says “I do not know, my lord, what I

should think” (1.3.103) as if she cannot formulate thoughts by herself. Polonius responds by

saying “Marry, I 'll teach you: think yourself a baby; That you have ta 'en these tenders for true

pay,/ Which are not sterling./ Tender yourself more dearly;/Or--not to crack the wind of the poor

phrase,/Running it thus--you 'll tender me a fool.” (1.3.105-110). In addition to her losing the say

in her life he is not in her best interest. He is only looking out for his own interests and