Shakespeares Hamlet - The Character of Ophelia Essay

Hamlet: The Character of Ophelia Concerning the Ophelia of Shakespeare’s tragic drama Hamlet, is she an innocent type or not? Is she a victim or not? This essay will explore these and other questions related to this character. Rebecca West in â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption† viciously, and perhaps unfoundedly, attacks the virginity of Ophelia: There is no more bizarre aspect of the misreading of Hamlet’s character than the assumption that his relations with Ophelia were innocent and that Ophelia was a correct and timid virgin of exquisite sensibilities. . . . She was not a chaste young woman. That is shown by her tolerance of Hamlet’s obscene conversations, which cannot be†¦show more content†¦He dismisses Hamlet’s overtures as â€Å"Affection, puh!† Polonius considers Ophelia a â€Å"green girl,† incapable of recognizing true love: â€Å"These blazes . . . you must not take for fire.† He gets her assurance that she will not talk with Hamlet anymore. When the ghost talks privately to Hamlet, he learns not only about the murder of his father, but also about the unfaithfulness and adultery of his mother. Gertrude was seduced by â€Å"that incestuous, that adulterate beast,/With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts† – Claudius himself – prior to his brother’s passing. â€Å"So lust, though to a radiant angel linkd,/Will sate itself in a celestial bed,/And prey on garbage.† In the mind of Hamlet, this drastically reduces the goodness of womankind generally. Hamlet chooses to use an â€Å"antic disposition† to disguise his actions as he maneuvers to kill the one who poisoned his father in the garden. Wilkie and Hurt say that Shakespeare â€Å"is particularly fond of double-plotting† (2156). Ophelia is shortly affected by the protagonist’s mad conduct. And immediately she goes to her father, Polonius, to explain how she is â€Å"so affrighted† as a result of Hamlet’s visit: My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings fould, Ungarterd, andShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Character of Ophelia in Shakespeares Hamlet1169 Words   |  5 PagesThe Character of Ophelia in Hamlet   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Shakespeares 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 Ophelias father leaves her mentally unstable and in a state of madness that eventually leads to her own death.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Read MoreEssay on The Character Ophelia in Shakespeares Hamlet1312 Words   |  6 PagesThe Character Ophelia in Shakespeares Hamlet Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, the right hand man of the King. 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