Ophelia And Laertes Analysis

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Falan, I agree that Ophelia and Laertes both respect their father very much and seem to be a close-knit family. Laertes respect for Polonius is evident when he’s about to leave for France, he says “A double blessing is a double grace. Occasion smiles upon a second leave” (I, iii, 53-54). Laertes is happy that his father is there once again to see him off to France and give him some final words of wisdom. Ophelia shows respect for her father because of her quick obedience in whatever he asks of her. “No, my good lord. But as you did command/I did repel his fetters and denied his access to me” (II, i, 8-10). It’s clear that both Ophelia and Laertes truly love their father and would do whatever it takes to please him. And as you said, Ophelia …show more content…

He could be classified as a bumbling fool because the long-winded speeches he gives shows that the love of his own voices leads to his constant chattering. He is described by Hamlet as acting like a “foolish prating knave” (III, iv, 221) but I believe he is this way to help secure his social position and keep his popularity safe. It is his way of covering up his ploy to gain social advancement. After Polonius hears of Hamlet’s mental state from Ophelia, he automatically concludes that his cause of madness must be his love for Ophelia. This is indeed foolish because he should have reasoned more thoroughly and been able to come up with different options as to the reasons for Hamlet’. Clearly, Hamlet had far better reasons to be in this mental state like his father’s premature murder and his mother’s disloyal incestuous marriage to his uncle. Polonius also demonstrates dedication and loyalty to the king by coming to him with the predicament of Hamlet’s insanity. He tells Queen Gertrude and King Claudius, “I will be brief: your noble son is mad. Mad call I it, for, to define true madness, what is ’t but to be nothing else but mad” (II, ii, 94-96)? Polonius also asks Claudius what his opinion of him is and the king answers, “As of a man faithful and honorable” (II, ii,

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