Essay on The Destruction of Love Between Hamlet and Ophelia

The Destruction of Love Between Hamlet and Ophelia Ophelia describes Hamlet as the courtiers soldier, scholars eye, tongue and sword, Thexpectancy and rose of fair state, the glass of fashion and the mould of form, Thobserved of all observers (Act 3 Scene 1) He is the ideal man. But, after his madness and the death of her father she sees him as a noble mind oer thrown! (Act 3 Scene 1). Ophelia suffers from Hamlets disillusionment; his attitude to her in Act 3 Scene 1 is hard to explain. His faith in women was shattered by his mothers marriage and it is also possible that Hamlet knows that Ophelia has been ordered to seek him out- yet how strong could their love have been as there is little excuse for the†¦show more content†¦This point is further backed by the fact that although Claudius and Gertrude would like to believe that it is Hamlets unrequited love for Ophelia that has driven him mad, Hamlets behaviour with Ophelia convinces them that Ophelia is not the main cause of his illness. As Claudius said Love? His affections do not that way tend; Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little, was not like madness. (Act 3 Scene 1). Hamlets attitude, after seeing the ghost of his father, to Ophelia suggests that he is not fully in control of his actions- even if he knows Polonius and Claudius are listening, and that Ophelia, like his mother, is faithless; it is still hard to explain that, if he loves Ophelia, why he is so cruel to her. Ophelias response to his harsh words are immediate, that he is mad- suggesting that their love does run deep, for she cannot bear to conceive that his words are from sanity and that he could be so cruel and unloving to her. Now see that noble and most sovereign reason, like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh (Act 3 Scene 1). Hamlets behaviour in the graveyard scene suggests insanity. When he realises his love, Ophelia, is dead, he leaps into her grave, insisting that his love is greater than any brothers. From his mouth heShow MoreRelatedShakespeare s Hamlet - Hamlet And Ophelia958 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet and Ophelia The play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare is the perfect example of how love can not always conquer all. Hamlet may be regarded as one of Shakespeare s greatest plays. This play follows the story of a young prince named Hamlet who lost his father and had his family torn apart by the hands of his Uncle, Claudius who is now king and step father to Hamlet. 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