The Character of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet

The Character of Ophelia in Hamlet

In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, the character Ophelia plays an important role in the elaboration of the plot. In the beginning, she is in a healthy state of mind, in love with Hamlet, yet controlled by her father. During the play she has several troubling experiences involving Hamlet - causing her to become distressed. The death of Ophelia's father leaves her mentally unstable and in a state of madness that eventually leads to her own death.

Ophelia and Hamlet's love for each other begins as a very real experience. Hamlet is quite attracted by Ophelia's beauty and falls in love with her. However, Ophelia is very much controlled by her father, Polonius, a highly respected individual who is the chief advisor to King Claudius. Her father demands that she tell Hamlet that she can no longer be with him.

I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth

Have you so slander any moment leisure

As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.

Look to't, I charge you. Come your ways (I.iii.139-142).

It is clear that here Polonius is making decisions for his daughter, without regard for her feelings. Ophelia is used to relying on her father's direction and has been reared to be obedient to his commands. She is helpless to question her father's wishes and, because of this, she is never able to develop emotional strength and stability. All she can reply is, "I shall obey, my lord"(I.iii.143). Ophelia's brother Laertes gives her no support as he agrees with what their father is saying. He tells Ophelia that Hamlet is no good for her.

For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favor,

Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood;

A violet in the youth of pri...

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... as hers, does not have the tools necessary for coping with the stresses of life.

Sources Cited and Consulted:

Boklund, Gunnar. "Hamlet." Essays on Shakespeare. Ed. Gerald Chapman. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1965.

Jorgensen, Paul A. "Hamlet." William Shakespeare: the Tragedies. Boston: Twayne Publ., 1985. N. pag. http://www.freehomepages.com/hamlet/other/jorg-hamlet.html

Pennington, Michael. "Ophelia: Madness Her Only Safe Haven." Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. of "Hamlet": A User's Guide. New York: Limelight Editions, 1996.

Pitt, Angela. "Women in Shakespeare's Tragedies." Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint of Shakespeare's Women. N.p.: n.p., 1981.

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: Signet Classic, 1998