Hamlet & Ophelia

Analysis of Opelia and Hamlet's Relationship

Analysis of Opelia and Hamlet's Relationship

Ophelia was in love with Hamlet. As the conflicts between the characters and Hamlet’s inner conflicts become more complex, Ophelia is caught in the middle. She can’t deal with the overwhelmingly shocking emotions caused by the many unforeseen and tragic events. In the beginning, Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship seems like an ordinary dating couples’; Hamlet makes “many tenders of his affection” on her, as well as “importuning [her] with love in an honorable fashion” and making “almost all the holy vows of heaven.” (1.3) However, Ophelia is then frankly told by both her father and brother, whom she dearly loves, that Hamlet does not actually love her, that she is not good enough for him, and his only purpose in wooing her is to steal away her pure, precious virginity. She is not certain whether or not any of this is true, as she admits to her father with the words, “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.” (1.3)

Ophelia, being the loyal and obedient daughter that she is, obeys her father’s instructions and refuses to return Hamlet’s “affections”. Hamlet then comes to her one night, perhaps mad or perhaps still just pretending to be mad, and out-and-out confuses poor Ophelia’s young, innocent mind. When Ophelia describes the encounter she explains how “To speak of horrors-he came before me. He took me by the wrist and held me hard...” Hamlet stares at her for a while, then sighs and departs down the stairs without taking his eyes off of her. Ophelia is further confused when she is told that Hamlet does in fact love her, and it is her fault that he seems to be going mad. She innocently agrees to help spy on Hamlet without thinking of the possible consequences. During their encounter, Hamlet treats her as though she is utterly hateful. His sudden passionate change of attitude is very perplexing to Ophelia, as she has done nothing to intentionally anger him. Hamlet,...