How Does Gertrude Present Ophelia's Betrayal In Hamlet

The audience first meets Ophelia when Hamlet expresses his madness, and takes it out on her. He is at the start of his spiralling craze, and Ophelia approaches him to speak about their love. She tries to return a token of his love, when he lashes out and claims he does not love her. Ophelia is attacked and impaled by Hamlet’s cruel words, but is unable to argue, as Hamlet does not respect her. Hamlet then detaches from both her heart, and her presence. Shortly after the emotional interaction, Ophelia seeks consolidation in the arms of Laertes, her brother, and Polonius, her father. Later on, in the midst of an argument with Gertrude, Hamlet unintentionally stabs Polonius. Following the death of Polonius, Ophelia begins her descent into insanity. Shortly after she receives notice of her father, she learns that not

only has she lost Polonius, but that Hamlet is the one who has slain him. This is the turning point for Ophelia; she can no longer withstand the hardships that keep evolving.

She comes to see the queen, and enters singing, “How should I your true love know/ From another one?/ By his cockle hat and staff/ And his sandal shoon”(IV.V.28-31). Hamlet’s betrayal deeply affects Ophelia both physically and mentally. It causes her to disregard her beliefs, and deny that love exists. Ophelia feels foolish and blinded, thus becoming open, not taking into account other people’s emotions any longer. Similarly to Hamlet, she has let her confusion run her to madness. Ophelia refuses to hold back her true feelings, and approaches the king and queen. She sings a song to make them further understand how much pain they cause, and how betrayal feels. Although Hamlet’s betrayal is not the sole purpose for her madness, Ophelia reveals her true emotions. The king and queen are unaware of Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship, therefore Ophelia explains distinctly that Hamlet, “...promised me to wed.’/ He answers: ‘So would I ‘a done, by yonder sun,/ An thou hadst not come to my bed’”(IV.V.67-71). Ophelia gives a direct reference to what Hamlet says to

her. She sings a song, as it is the easiest way for her to convey what she feels she has a responsibility to say. Ophelia, who is not a very outspoken character throughout the play, lets go of the person she was before, and now stands before the royal family, vulnerable. She applies this song to what she goes through, which reveals how she blames herself for Hamlet’s betrayal. The madness of both Hamlet and Ophelia mirror each other in multiple ways.