OPPapers.com Essay Index >> English >> Hamlet
We have many free term papers and essays on Hamlet. We also have a wide variety of research papers and book reports available to you for free. You can browse our collection of term papers or use our search engine.
Summary Of Hamlet. Summary Of The Play Hamlet By: Amanda Wellman It's a story of
murder, betrail, hatred all rapped up in one astonishing play. ...
Does Hamlet Have A Tragic Flaw? Does Hamlet Have A Tragic Flaw? Question:
Does Hamlet have a tragic flaw? ... Hamlet's flaw is intact. ...
hamlet. Hamlet Summary Hamlet is the son of the late King Hamlet (of Denmark),
who died two months before the start of the play. ...
Summary Of Hamlet. Summary Of The Play Hamlet By: Amanda Wellman It's a story of
murder, betrail, hatred all rapped up in one astonishing play. ...
Hamlet. Hamlet is the son of the late King Hamlet (of Denmark), who died
two months before the start of the play. After King Hamlet's ...
Submitted by shadesoftruth on March 10, 2007
Category: English
Words: 403 | Pages: 2
Views: 137
Popularity Rank: 83,723
Average Member Grade: N/A (Add a Comment / Grade this Paper)
Problem stated: What was Hamlet and Ophelia¡¯s relationship? How intimate was this relationship?
Problem explained: Near the beginning of the play, Polonius convinced Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet¡¯s madness is result of his increasing love for Ophelia. Ophelia portrays Hamlet as a distracted lover when he barged into her room wildly. The soft and obedient Ophelia seems like a maiden virgin who would never commit original sin. Nowhere in the play did either character express physical love to each other. Yet Hamlet¡¯s sexual mockery towards Ophelia suggests their relationship is more than it seems.
Possible interpretations:
1. Hamlet seduced Ophelia and does not truly love her.
2. Hamlet loves Ophelia but Ophelia does not return his love.
3. They love each other and have been intimate before.
4. They are not lovers and do not feel any emotion towards one another.
Preferred interpretation explained: Although there are many theories out there about the true nature of Hamlet and Ophelia¡¯s relationship, there is only one that can be supported with several textual evidence. Hamlet and Ophelia were intimate and were genuinely in love with one another. During his ¡°mousetrap¡± play, Hamlet uses excess body humor with Ophelia: ¡°That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.¡± Many presume that his statements are saturated with bitterness and mockery. It is true that his crude words towards Ophelia are harsh but there is a reasonable explanation for it. Hamlet, after his mother¡¯s ¡°incestuous¡± marriage to his uncle, distrusts women in general. He exclaimed, ¡°Frailty, thy name is woman!¡± His suspension and viciousness towards women carries into his attitude towards Ophelia. Critic Laurence Olivier believes that ¡°Ophelia was¡definitely Hamlet¡¯s lover.¡± Also Ophelia truly loved Hamlet. Ophelia¡¯s mad songs in Act 4 scene 7 that really give away...
You must Login to view the entire paper.
If you are not a member yet, Sign Up for free!