Hamlet and Ophelia

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Hamlet loves Ophelia in his own tortured and odd way. The paper illustrates how, as the play continues, it is clear Hamlet loses touch with reality and with it, his love for Ophelia. The paper describes how Ophelia cannot deal with his rejection and rather than go on with her life, she ends it, without fulfillment, without love and with no future. The paper demonstrates how both lovers cared for each other and might have had a life together, but they were both too tragically flawed to ever really become a couple or maintain their love.

From the Paper:

"Those surrounding Ophelia believe Hamlet loves her - even that he has gone mad with love for her. Her father, Polonius tells her Hamlet's rash behavior is based on his unrequited love for her. He says, "That [denial of love] hath made him mad" (II. i. 109). Thus, those surrounding Ophelia misinterpret Hamlet's actions, and Ophelia might have as well, although it does seem Hamlet loves her in his own tortured and odd way. He does leave her a note that seems to confirm his feelings for her. It reads, "O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not art to reckon / my groans: but that I love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu" (II. ii. 120-121). Thus, he has confessed his love to her, and no matter how it deteriorates from this point on in the play, he has held love for her in his heart."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark." The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Michael Meyer, ed. Seventh Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. 1407-1558.

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