Innocent Ophelia Research Paper

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Innocent Ophelia In 1600, William Shakespeare wrote one of his most famous plays, Hamlet. The tragedy follows the downfall of Prince Hamlet due to his fatal flaw of procrastination. Hamlet’s tragic flaw also hurt and caused death to others. While there are many victims within the play, the significant, and most innocent was Ophelia. Actions such as manipulation, scheming, abuse, and murder by those she trusted lead to her insanity and eventually, her death. Beginning in Act I, Ophelia is written as a submissive, naïve girl. Qualities she possesses are what allows her father and Hamlet to belittle her. The actions of Polonius and Hamlet towards her are the very elements leading her to become emotionally compromised. Ophelia was publically humiliated in front of the king and queen when forced to read a letter from Hamlet about their love: O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not art to reckon my groans. But that I love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu. ‘Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst This machine is to him, Hamlet (II, ii, 127 – 131).
Along with the personal letter being read to the leaders of Denmark, Ophelia was heartbroken by her lover Hamlet. During their breakup, Hamlet insults her by saying “get thee to a nunnery” (III, i, 131) and “marry a …show more content…

Her insanity was instigated by the death of her father, although other factors such as abuse and heartbreak contributed. The saddest part of Ophelia’s madness is her songs of death, flowers, and love. The nature of the songs sung by Ophelia suggests that her insanity, in part, was caused by her unrequited for Hamlet. Her songs describe her father as “dead and gone” (IV, v, 30) and her love for Hamlet: “All in the morning betime/ And I a maid at your window/ to be your Valentine” (IV, v, 48-50) Ultimately, Ophelia’s death was brought upon her by the madness she suffered

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