Hamlet And Ophelia's Relationship Essay

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In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the reader sees the aspects that form Hamlet’s relationships with his mother and Ophelia. Hamlet is frequently viewed as a rude person when he is speaking with women that are seen as weak, yet his intentions are for the benefit of other people throughout the novel. He uses his words and encounters with his mother and Ophelia to protect them from corruption in the castle, and to reveal to them the truth in their actions. In regards to Hamlet’s relationship with his mother, it is very informal meaning that he can say anything to her without there being many consequences. In relation to Ophelia, the relationship is nothing short of romantic and is filled with many short and negative comments. Ophelia is seen throughout the novel as weak because of her relationship with her brother and father, two prominent men in her life. While these men give her advice, it is in the form of looking out for their own interest and reputation. …show more content…

Hamlet asserts his power over Ophelia early on by telling her “you should not have believed my, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not” (Shakespeare 95). This conversation happens when Polonius and Claudius are in the room; he does this to protect her from the backlash she may receive from her father and the king. By Hamlet belittling Ophelia he is distancing himself from her in the wake of all the problems that may arise. Hamlet is also quick to say, “Get thee to a nunnery” (Shakespeare 95). In this quote by Hamlet he is not only poking fun at Polonius, but he is also warning Ophelia to get out of the castle because bad things are about to happen and she has no business being around during that. By Hamlet altering the way he speaks to Ophelia he protects her from any backlash she may receive, but also her

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