The Madness of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
In William Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet,” he introduces many thought-provoking characters. One of the most intriguing female characters in the play is Ophelia. Ophelia is a vision of virtue and grace who faces heartbreak and madness. After the death of father and the rejection from Hamlet, she is found singing songs during her time of madness. These songs provide symbolism in the stories told, making the character of Ophelia even deeper and more complex. Ophelia is an intriguing character that encompasses virtue, madness, feminism and sexuality. With evidence to support, Ophelia’s madness is shown throughout Shakespeare’s play until her tragic death.
Act III, Scene I is a very famous scene in the play. This is when Hamlet denies that he ever loved Ophelia, thus causing her mental stability to begin to waver. Hamlet has come to distrust all females because of his mother and her unfaithfulness to her dead husband. Ophelia here is viewed as all other …show more content…
Ophelia is very short with her words during this scene and does not give much attention to Hamlet’s jokes or active state. When he speaks with her, she answers with broad phrases such as “ay, my lord” or “no, my lord” (Shakespeare, 97-98). Ophelia is trying to deal with the loss of his love here, however she allows him to lie in her lap and she addresses him as lord showing politeness. The numbness to his words and actions shows a weak mental state, Ophelia has been terribly hurt by his words and does not allow him back into her life as he was before. This is a huge turning point in the play because this shows how badly she has been affected by him. Hamlet can be in her company and act as if their last talk had never occurred. While Ophelia stays shut off and does not allow herself to be as friendly, for fear of feeling love and hurt all over
In William Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet,” he introduces many thought-provoking characters. One of the most intriguing female characters in the play is Ophelia. Ophelia is a vision of virtue and grace who faces heartbreak and madness. After the death of father and the rejection from Hamlet, she is found singing songs during her time of madness. These songs provide symbolism in the stories told, making the character of Ophelia even deeper and more complex. Ophelia is an intriguing character that encompasses virtue, madness, feminism and sexuality. With evidence to support, Ophelia’s madness is shown throughout Shakespeare’s play until her tragic death.
Act III, Scene I is a very famous scene in the play. This is when Hamlet denies that he ever loved Ophelia, thus causing her mental stability to begin to waver. Hamlet has come to distrust all females because of his mother and her unfaithfulness to her dead husband. Ophelia here is viewed as all other …show more content…
Ophelia is very short with her words during this scene and does not give much attention to Hamlet’s jokes or active state. When he speaks with her, she answers with broad phrases such as “ay, my lord” or “no, my lord” (Shakespeare, 97-98). Ophelia is trying to deal with the loss of his love here, however she allows him to lie in her lap and she addresses him as lord showing politeness. The numbness to his words and actions shows a weak mental state, Ophelia has been terribly hurt by his words and does not allow him back into her life as he was before. This is a huge turning point in the play because this shows how badly she has been affected by him. Hamlet can be in her company and act as if their last talk had never occurred. While Ophelia stays shut off and does not allow herself to be as friendly, for fear of feeling love and hurt all over