With Laertes in France and Hamlet (once her lover turned into her ex-lover) being upset with her, she unfortunately feels alone in the world, causing her to turn to death. Hamlet has visited Ophelia and acted strangely. Why is he so brutal to Ophelia in Act III, Scene i? The character of Ophelia has fascinated directors, actresses, writers and painters since she first appeared on stage. The placement of the priest's admonition supports the suicide pretty solidly. Being devastated from the passing of her father, Ophelia realizes that she has no one in her life anymore. She has found herself caught between the social demands of the medieval world with its insistence on a woman's purity and the developing Renaissance concept of romantic love as expressed in countless poems... (The entire section contains 2 answers and 566 words.). Ophelia later drowns herself in a creek. Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to go "to a nunnery," and what does he give as his reason? By Tan Kabra April 29th, 2009 Why Countries Go To War There are many reasons why countries go to war. Hamlet never was “mad.” He is sane for the entire duration of the play. After the deed is done, Hamlet realizes that he has killed Polonius, the king's adviser and the father of his beloved Ophelia. Explain how each character dies in Act V. Why does the play end with such bloodshed and death? Nothing. I do pity her as a character because now she is truly on her own and I feel Hamlet and her family is … Ophelai is seen as “…a cult figure embodying their own turbulent hopes,” (Romanska 485). Polonius reads a letter to Claudius and Gertrude, and Ophelia overhears it. Here Elaine Showalter discusses Ophelia's madness as a particularly female malady, showing how from Shakespeare's day to our own Ophelia has been used both to reflect and to challenge evolving ideas about female psychology and sexuality. She is heart-broken… over Polonius. Matthew Sandoval Sandoval 1 Professor: Jamie F. Wheeler ENGL 1302.S17 Date 2/4/12 Did Hamlet Love Ophelia? -Hamlet believes that Ophelia loved someone else close to Laertes. Hamlet Some question about Hamlet: Is the Ghost real? Ophelia goes mad because her father, Polonius, whom she deeply loved, has been killed by Hamlet. Does Hamlet think Gertrude is as guilty as Claudius? She knows that refusing to marry Hamlet will make him go insane. Unlike Laertes, Hamlet, and Fortinbras who have the option to revenge their fathers' death, Ophelia, cannot take revenge on Hamlet, because in the time period the play was written, it was improper for women to do so. The essay also contains follow-up questions for further analysis. The mad scenes allow us to see the contradiction within Ophelia?s self, when she mixes pieces of old songs with lamentation and of obscene allusions, which suggest that her father?s death and her love for Hamlet are associated in her mind. How does Ophelia come to believe that Hamlet is mad? Ophelia went mad because of the death mad because of the death of her father. Why Countries Go to War. ... Ophelia to go mad, and Laertes to seek revenge, which leads to … On the one hand, she is loyal to her father. Log in here. Is Ophelia driven mad by her love for Hamlet, or is she the victim of a society that … Unlike Laertes, Hamlet, and Fortinbras who have the option to revenge their fathers' death, Ophelia, cannot take revenge on Hamlet, because in the time period the play was written, it was improper for women to do so. In Hamlet, the protagonist Hamlet discovers that his father was killed by his uncle, Claudius. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal At the same time, Ophelia is deeply romantic, and feels genuine love for Hamlet. Ophelia's insanity has two origins; the first one is the death of the father (Shakespeare 4.5.4-5) while the second one is her failed relationship. 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