How Does Shakespeare Present Ophelia

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia is a multi-dimensional character whose obedience provides a view of how women were expected to act in the Elizabethan Era and demonstrate how they were treated dismissively by society. Ophelia is characterized as a young woman with little experience. Many of her actions are dictated by the men in her life which makes her obedient to her father Polonius and her brother Laertes. As a woman in Elizabethan society, she is expected act a certain way and is often objectified. Her image is largely dependent on her relationship with a man which eventually drives her to madness.

The character Ophelia just as any other female character in Shakespeare’s work

When Ophelia's father orders her to quit seeing Hamlet, she

agrees with no question,"I shall obey my Lord". This portrays Ophelia as any woman would be in the early Renaissance era. Women’s status during the Renaissance period is far different from today. There were many forces that kept women in their place which is shown in many of William Shakespeare’s works. Situations were different in the upper class however, families often hired tutors for their daughters. While educated women were more common in Queen Elizabeth’s court, much of their lessons often gravitate around household affairs. The only career that all women could go into was marriage (Papp, 2003). Their husbands often dictated what they could and could not do. It was not only up to their husband’s but up to the male figure in their life.
Along with Polonius and Hamlet, Ophelia’s life is also dictated by her brother Laertes.

In Act, I, Laertes plants fearful thoughts in Ophelia’s mind about Hamlet’s true intentions,“Be wary, then. Best safety lies in fear. Youth to itself rebels, though none else near”. He tells Ophelia that she should fear intimacy with Hamlet. The way that Laertes speaks to Ophelia indicates that Laertes’ speech is calculated, as shown by the use of iambic pentameter. This calculation indicates that Laertes is manipulating Ophelia. By speaking in such an all-knowing manner, it tricks Ophelia into believing that her brother’s words are true facts rather than biased speculations. Men were allowed to speak to women in a derogatory manner which leaves women voiceless and deprived of their right to express their opinion. With different men telling her what to do and no female figure, Ophelia is manipulated into not trusting her heart. Shakespeare’s language proves that men have more advantages than women

did.
In Ophelia’s song, she sings of a maid who is betrayed by a lover.

“...Then up he rose and donn'd his clothes and dupp'd the chamber door; Let in the maid, that out a maid Never departed more.” Her song indicates that the man made a promise of betrothal, but was then abandoned. This could possibly depict what had happened between her and Hamlet. If she had partaken in intercourse with Hamlet she might have fallen pregnant with his child. Which would make his leaving her would only be more painful. "...there's rue for you, and here's some for me; we may call it herb of grace o'Sundays; O, you must wear your rue with a difference." Rue means regret, which Ophelia has a lot of, however, the herb rue is also a herb used in abortions. This kind of betrayal is only one if many ways that women were treated in a derogative

manner.
Ophelia’s reputation depends on pretending that she never cared about Hamlet’s at all. If she were with a child she has no way to hide the shame. She uses the words “woe is me” which expresses that there is nothing left in you except sorrow or misfortune. Ophelia uses this indicating that Hamlet’s situation is affecting her to the point that she feels helpless and empty. “T' have seen what I have seen, see what I see!” this part of the quote shows that Ophelia believes that everything Hamlet was is no longer true. Like women before her, they saw the good in Hamlet, however, she also knew of the possible heartbreak. Even with the knowledge of possible heartbreak, Ophelia went and fell for him deeply. The drastic change in Hamlet’s personality leaves her confused and in shock. She no longer knows what to believe.
Ophelia’s death is portrayed in a passive manner, similar to the way that she had lived her life. It is believed that to live a life without honor is a greater tragedy than death itself, which is true for Ophelia. “Till that her garments, heavy with their drink” Rather than saying that Ophelia had drowned herself, Gertrude describes it as though Ophelia fell into the water and neglected to attempt saving herself even though she had the time to do so. Her apathetic reaction to her situation mirrors her actions in her everyday life as well. Just as with her absolute obedience to a male figure, her drawing suggests that she had no control over what happened in her life.