Ophelia

Book Review # 99651

Drama and Theater > English
English > Analysis
Literature > English

Ophelia

A character analysis of Ophelia from William Shakespeare's "Hamlet".

1,287 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the character of Ophelia in Shakespeare's famous play, "Hamlet", is defined by the men in her life and when the men in her life disappear so does her character. She is used and abused by the men she relies on and trusts. The paper looks at how Ophelia is one of the most dynamic characters in the play and how, throughout the play, the audience views her transformation from an innocent childlike girl to a crazy confused woman.

From the Paper:

"Ophelia's best friend in the play is her brother Laertes. In act one scene three Laertes and Ophelia joke with each other and it is apparent that they are fond of each other. "'Tis in my memory lock'd, and you yourself shall keep the key of it." (I.iii.90) This line shows that Ophelia respects her brother's opinions and admires and loves him. Laertes then leaves his sister; this makes him the first man to disappear in her life. After her brother leaves her the audience never sees Ophelia joke or kid around with male figures in the play. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Martin, Helena Faucit, Shakespeare's Female Characters, Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh, 1888. p.19.
Larque, Thomas. Ophelia Bibliography. London: J.B. Lippincott Company, 2003. 1-197.
Raffel, Burton, and William Shakespeare. Hamlet (the Annotated Shakespeare). New York: Random House.
Stark, Lisa S. Making Mother Matter. 2nd ed. New York: A&a, 1998. 1-182.