The Love Of Hamlet For Ophelia Essay

, Research Paper

Hamlet is without any reservations, one of Shakespeare?s most mystifying plays. Although the play has a concise story, it is filled with many uncertainties relating to different issues behind the plot. The reader is left with many uncertainties about the true feelings of prince Hamlet. One question in particular is, did Hamlet really love Ophelia? This dispute can be reinforced either way, however I believe Hamlet was truly in love with Ophelia. Support for my decision comes from Hamlet?s treatment towards Ophelia is shown throughout the play, but especially in Act 3, Scene 2, and at Ophelia?s grave in Scene 1 of Act 5. This play is about the troubles encountered by young prince Hamlet as he tries to seek revenge for his father?s murder. Hamlet discovers the murder of his father, as well as the adultery and incest committed by his mother and uncle. This results with Hamlet retaining a very embittered and cynical outlook on life. ?Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His cannon ?gainst self-slaughter ? how weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world.? (1.2.131-134). Throughout the play, Hamlet teaches the audience the depths of his depression through soliloquies. Hamlet not only regards the world with pessimism, but he also has suicidal feelings. Hamlet displays thoughts of self that questions the worth of living. The foremost cause for his exasperation and aggravation is the fact that his mother and his uncle, Claudius immediately got married right after his father?s death. His mother?s actions seem to be what repulses Hamlet most as he yells, ?frailty thy name is woman!? (1.2.146). Hamlet has developed a burning hate towards his mother and women in general. It is this fuming mind-set that is responsible for his terrible treatment towards dear, innocent Ophelia in Act 3. Once Hamlet discovers the cause of his father?s death, he disguises himself by acting nutty to mask his true objectives of revenge. By doing so Hamlet is now able to do whatever he wants to, without being questioned of his behavior. He does this on one occasion during a visit with Ophelia. Ophelia later relays this meeting to her father, telling him that Hamlet was not properly dressed, ?and with a look so piteous in purport as if he had been loosed out of hell to speak of horrors-he comes before me.? (2.1.82-84). This scene is directly after Hamlet learns of his father?s murder. It seems that Hamlet is looking to Ophelia for help, his feelings were crushed and he needed consolation. I extract the estimation that prince Hamlet adores Ophelia, and that she is one the few loved ones he has left to turn to. I am sure he loves his family, but his father is dead, his mother is unconcerned with his father?s death and his uncle is the murderer of his father. The plot thickens and Hamlet?s mind begins to ponder the possibilities of a confession by the king. His love for Ophelia is also strongly noticed by all. The nobles of Elsinor also notice the love he shows and they begin to realize the possibility that Hamlet love for Ophelia would benefit them all. When Polonius reads from one of Hamlet?s love letter?s to Ophelia, in which he says to her ?But that I love thee best, O most best, believe it.? (2.2.121-122). Queen Gertrude wishes to use Ophelia’s love to bring her only son out of madness. Claudius wishes to do the same. His reason, however, is to end the threat of his own life. Once the king and queen realize this remedy they quickly act to use it by persuading Ophelia to talk to Hamlet. In this Scene true madness comes into play. Once Ophelia meets Hamlet and speaks with him Hamlet realizes that his mother and stepfather are aware of this love and might use this to end his threat. Hamlet must end their thoughts of using Ophelia to rid him of his condition. To do this he must destroy all the current feelings Ophelia has for him and he does so very well, perhaps too well. Now that Ophelia feelings for him have lessened, he must work quickly to obtain his uncle?s confession so that he might again have Ophelia’ love. Hamlet?s plan develops when actors arrive in Elsinor. He uses their skill by relieving the mystery of his father?s death in a production with hopes of getting his uncles confession. Hamlet confidently states, “The play?s the thing Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King.? (2.2.617).It is Act 3 Scene 1, here is where it is possible to really consider Hamlet?s love for Ophelia. Prior to visiting with her, Hamlet states in a soliloquy his famous ?to be or not to be? speech in which he contemplates suicide. By this point his purpose for revenge has made him all the more miserable, and cynical. As Ophelia enters, Hamlet?s spirits seemed to be aroused as he addresses her, ?The fair Ophelia! Nymph in thy orisons be all my sins remembered.? (3.1.88-89). Moreover, Hamlet recognizes the importance of his affections towards Ophelia, and in regards to Ophelia’s beauty, Hamlet states “That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.” (3.1.107-108). Clearly, Hamlet is saying that indeed, Ophelia can be honest and fair, however; it is virtually impossible to link these two traits, since ‘fairness’ is an outward trait, while ‘honesty’ is an inward trait. He further states, “Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd that the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness.” (3.1.111