William Shakespeare developed multiple diverse and three-dimensional characters for his plays. However, after analyzing Hamlet it is clear that Ophelia is not one. Her character is one-dimensional and arguably expendable. The story of Hamlet’s revenge can be told without her, but Ophelia would have no story outside of Hamlet and her father.
In today’s society, it is increasingly difficult to envision a world where women have no say and are completely submissive to either their father or husband. In William Shakespeare’s renaissance piece, Hamlet, this submission was a way of life for Ophelia. Her life was consumed by the men around her. Ophelia was trapped by the patriarchal society of her time, and it is this civilization that lead to …show more content…
Because Ophelia was obeying her father, both Polonius and Hamlet sought out opportunities to gain information. On many occasions, Hamlet approached and coerced Ophelia into conversation, and in turn, she would tell her father about the interaction. Playing Ophelia, Hamlet began to act increasingly insane around her. Polonius returned this information directly to the King Claudius, which eventually lead to the sending away of Hamlet. One evening, while in the queen’s bedchamber, Hamlet revealed that his insanity was only an act to carry our revenge on Claudius to his mother. However, Polonius was hiding behind a curtain and Hamlet stabbed him, leaving him to die. His mother became distressed and told King Claudius that Hamlet truly was a mad man, exiling him to London to await …show more content…
She reveals a deeper understanding of the issues that plagued her world. Ophelia explains the code dictated to her by Polonius through the telling of stories. The tale about the baker’s daughter who was transformed into an owl for refusing to give bread to Jesus disguised as a beggar, explores the mask of identities. Ophelia understands who she is and what purpose she serves in the lives of those controlling her. Therefore, this story may have been to reveal the mask of nobility Hamlet wore to conceal his skewed intentions of
In today’s society, it is increasingly difficult to envision a world where women have no say and are completely submissive to either their father or husband. In William Shakespeare’s renaissance piece, Hamlet, this submission was a way of life for Ophelia. Her life was consumed by the men around her. Ophelia was trapped by the patriarchal society of her time, and it is this civilization that lead to …show more content…
Because Ophelia was obeying her father, both Polonius and Hamlet sought out opportunities to gain information. On many occasions, Hamlet approached and coerced Ophelia into conversation, and in turn, she would tell her father about the interaction. Playing Ophelia, Hamlet began to act increasingly insane around her. Polonius returned this information directly to the King Claudius, which eventually lead to the sending away of Hamlet. One evening, while in the queen’s bedchamber, Hamlet revealed that his insanity was only an act to carry our revenge on Claudius to his mother. However, Polonius was hiding behind a curtain and Hamlet stabbed him, leaving him to die. His mother became distressed and told King Claudius that Hamlet truly was a mad man, exiling him to London to await …show more content…
She reveals a deeper understanding of the issues that plagued her world. Ophelia explains the code dictated to her by Polonius through the telling of stories. The tale about the baker’s daughter who was transformed into an owl for refusing to give bread to Jesus disguised as a beggar, explores the mask of identities. Ophelia understands who she is and what purpose she serves in the lives of those controlling her. Therefore, this story may have been to reveal the mask of nobility Hamlet wore to conceal his skewed intentions of