The Character Ophelia In Shakespeare's Hamlet
Ophelia
In nearly every tale, the story line contains multiple characters whom depict both good and “evil” qualities. In other words, they reveal opposite interpretations. These drastic differences can be drawn due to the lack of specifics in the reading. One interpretation may portray a character as pure and innocent. In another, they may appear at fault. Shakespeare’s famous play, Hamlet, illustrates this notion through an accumulation of characters. Of the many, Ophelia may strike one as the innocent virgin, or rather the selfish and corrupt whore. An overall analysis may be useful in determining which portrayal is more accurate.
Ophelia, a fictional character in Hamlet, is the daughter of Polonius and young lover to the main character. Her father, the right hand of the king, originally requests she keep her distance from Hamlet. Quite soon, the company of Hamlet believes he has gone mad. Polonius, of course, asks his obedient daughter to spy on her lover. Mary Salter stated, “She certainly has a great deal of respect for her father and unquestioningly obeys his instructions…” Ophelia and Hamlet spend an extravagant amount of time together. In the time of Shakespeare, this was nearly unacceptable. One could understandably be under the impression they …show more content…
These hints arise in controversial conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia, also among the lyrics of Ophelia’s songs. “Quoth she, ‘before you tumbled me, you promised me to wed’” (4.5.63-4). Ophelia sings sorrowfully about lost love, and very well may be singing about an intimate relationship with Hamlet. Hamlet also discloses evidence through his never ending innuendos such as “That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs” (3.2.119). According to Rebecca West, “She is not a chaste young woman. That is shown by her tolerance of Hamlet’s obscene
In nearly every tale, the story line contains multiple characters whom depict both good and “evil” qualities. In other words, they reveal opposite interpretations. These drastic differences can be drawn due to the lack of specifics in the reading. One interpretation may portray a character as pure and innocent. In another, they may appear at fault. Shakespeare’s famous play, Hamlet, illustrates this notion through an accumulation of characters. Of the many, Ophelia may strike one as the innocent virgin, or rather the selfish and corrupt whore. An overall analysis may be useful in determining which portrayal is more accurate.
Ophelia, a fictional character in Hamlet, is the daughter of Polonius and young lover to the main character. Her father, the right hand of the king, originally requests she keep her distance from Hamlet. Quite soon, the company of Hamlet believes he has gone mad. Polonius, of course, asks his obedient daughter to spy on her lover. Mary Salter stated, “She certainly has a great deal of respect for her father and unquestioningly obeys his instructions…” Ophelia and Hamlet spend an extravagant amount of time together. In the time of Shakespeare, this was nearly unacceptable. One could understandably be under the impression they …show more content…
These hints arise in controversial conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia, also among the lyrics of Ophelia’s songs. “Quoth she, ‘before you tumbled me, you promised me to wed’” (4.5.63-4). Ophelia sings sorrowfully about lost love, and very well may be singing about an intimate relationship with Hamlet. Hamlet also discloses evidence through his never ending innuendos such as “That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs” (3.2.119). According to Rebecca West, “She is not a chaste young woman. That is shown by her tolerance of Hamlet’s obscene