Thesis: Hamlet cares for Ophelia, mistakenly believing that he loves her. However, love requires a deep and two-sided agreement to trust and to communicate with each other. Hamlet and Ophelia’s connection is weak and their connection lacks communication and trust; therefore, Hamlet does not love Ophelia.
Hamlet has feelings for Ophelia, and he thoroughly shows that he cares for her too. This is indicated by Ophelia’s belief that Hamlet did love her at one point. Hamlet also says it to her in his line: “I did love you once” (2, 1, 4) and at Ophelia’s funeral, “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers / Could not with all their quantity of love / Make up my sum,” (5, 1, 12) where Hamlet exclaims how much more he loved Ophelia than Laertes …show more content…
(evidence) Ophelia’s consent to hide from Hamlet demonstrates signs of fear and signs of a weak relationship. Despite her close affiliations with Hamlet, Ophelia shows no attempt to communicate her relationship problems with Hamlet either. (evidence) She lacks trust in Hamlet. When Ophelia goes to Hamlet to hand back his love letters, Hamlet confirms Ophelia’s position to side with her father. Hamlet gives Ophelia an opportunity to fix their relationship one last time. Hamlet knows that Polonius is listening into their conversation. After blaming himself as criminal and letting Ophelia know that all people make mistakes, seen in the line “We are arrant knaves, all,” (3 1. 30) he immediately follows up with the question, “Where’s your father?” (3.1.131). Ophelia lies and tells Hamlet that he is “at home” (3. 1.132), showing Hamlet that Ophelia no longer trusts him. Hamlet feels betrayed by her decision, which is expressed when he lashes back at her in the line: “I’ll give thee this plague for thy dowry. Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go” (2. 1. 136-139). Hamlet’s frustration highlights the built-up miscommunication between the
Hamlet has feelings for Ophelia, and he thoroughly shows that he cares for her too. This is indicated by Ophelia’s belief that Hamlet did love her at one point. Hamlet also says it to her in his line: “I did love you once” (2, 1, 4) and at Ophelia’s funeral, “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers / Could not with all their quantity of love / Make up my sum,” (5, 1, 12) where Hamlet exclaims how much more he loved Ophelia than Laertes …show more content…
(evidence) Ophelia’s consent to hide from Hamlet demonstrates signs of fear and signs of a weak relationship. Despite her close affiliations with Hamlet, Ophelia shows no attempt to communicate her relationship problems with Hamlet either. (evidence) She lacks trust in Hamlet. When Ophelia goes to Hamlet to hand back his love letters, Hamlet confirms Ophelia’s position to side with her father. Hamlet gives Ophelia an opportunity to fix their relationship one last time. Hamlet knows that Polonius is listening into their conversation. After blaming himself as criminal and letting Ophelia know that all people make mistakes, seen in the line “We are arrant knaves, all,” (3 1. 30) he immediately follows up with the question, “Where’s your father?” (3.1.131). Ophelia lies and tells Hamlet that he is “at home” (3. 1.132), showing Hamlet that Ophelia no longer trusts him. Hamlet feels betrayed by her decision, which is expressed when he lashes back at her in the line: “I’ll give thee this plague for thy dowry. Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go” (2. 1. 136-139). Hamlet’s frustration highlights the built-up miscommunication between the