Why Is Hamlet To Blame For Ophelia's Death

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Hamlet: one of the greatest plays written of all time by William Shakespeare. One controversy throughout the play is Hamlet’s love for Ophelia. Many believe Hamlet is the reason for Ophelia’s death. Hamlet shows many reasons as to why he is at fault for the death of Ophelia, such as his madness. His father’s death, his mother’s quick remarriage and his love for Ophelia are the cause of his madness. Although his madness is considered voluntarily, Ophelia’s is not. Controversially, Ophelia also has craziness that she cannot just stop. It is caused by the death of her father and love for Hamlet. Some may believe Hamlet is a respectable man, but he is responsible for Ophelia’s death by verbally and physically harassing her. Some believe words …show more content…

In II.i.109, Ophelia states Hamlet “took me by the wrist and held me hard” (109). Hamlet has a twisted, sinister version of love towards Ophelia and he shows it by the way he walks into her closet and what he is wearing. This scene with Ophelia is considered physical harassment because he touches her, and clearly she does not want to be touched. Also, Hamlet killing Polonius is a partial reason as to why Hamlet is also the reason for Ophelia’s death. Ever since Hamlet’s father died, he has shown a different side of him such as a plan to kill Claudius. He puts on a “mad” face and has unusual plans such as killing Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Polonius tries to find out the reason, consequently, he is killed. Hamlet does not care that Polonius is now dead, but of course Laertes and Ophelia do. Hamlet shows he is not affected by the death by the way he talks to Gertrude. He says “A bloody deed? Almost as bad, good mother, As kill a king and marry with his brother” (III.iv.2). He says its almost as bad as his mother killing his husband and marrying his brother. Polonius was a father of the two. He also was a mentor for Ophelia because she is still young and still needs to be guided in the right direction. Without her father, Ophelia is lost. This death drives Ophelia to a side that readers have not seen yet. Hamlet killing Polonius is a partial reason as to why Hamlet is also the reason for Ophelia’s

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