Shakespeare's works are full of intriguing characters and engrossing plots, and Ophelia from “Hamlet” is no exception. Ophelia's unexpected death remains one of literary history's most heartbreaking and perplexing episodes. In this article, we delve into the circumstances surrounding Ophelia's tragic death and its significance in Shakespeare's masterpiece.
Who Is Ophelia?
Ophelia is a character in William Shakespeare's (1599-1601) play Hamlet. She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, the sister of Laertes, and a potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who becomes insane as a result of Hamlet's actions and drowns.
Ophelia is one of the original play's only two female characters, along with Queen Gertrude. Ophelia's name, like that of the majority of the characters in Hamlet, is not Danish. It first occurred in Jacopo Sannazaro's poem Arcadia in 1504.
Ophelia was well-liked by many characters and was very obedient to her father. She was kind to everyone and had a beautiful attitude. She was, nevertheless, exceedingly obedient and did whatever her father requested of her.
She stopped visiting Hamlet after he told her to. And she agreed when he urged her to arrange a meeting so that Polonius and Claudius could spy on him. Ophelia served as a counterbalance to Hamlet and Laertes, both contrasting and motivating their actions.
How Did Ophelia Die?
In Shakespeare's play “Hamlet,” Ophelia is presented as Polonius' daughter and Laertes' sister. Due to his commitments, Laertes encourages her not to seek a romantic relationship with Hamlet, the heir to the throne.
Ophelia's contact with Hamlet becomes more difficult as he appears to be in distress and love for her. Polonius feels Hamlet's actions demonstrate his feelings for Ophelia.
Polonius arranges a dialogue between Hamlet and Ophelia while they eavesdrop in order to affirm Hamlet's feelings. This results in Hamlet's angry words to Ophelia and his pledge that no more marriages will take place. Ophelia is heartbroken and befuddled.
Ophelia's mental state worsens, and she becomes more unstable. Hamlet makes seductive remarks to Ophelia in the “Mousetrap Play,” adding to her discomfort. Later, Hamlet murders Polonius, Ophelia's father, further affecting her mental state.
Ophelia's following appearances are distinguished by her insanity, riddles, and songs. She drowns tragically after falling from a willow tree into a creek.
Queen Gertrude reports her death as an accident, but a sexton at the burial believes she committed suicide. Her loved ones express their grief at her funeral, with Laertes professing his great love for her and Hamlet declaring his love for her as well.
Ophelia's terrible conclusion is one of Shakespeare's most moving scenes, representing the play's themes of lunacy, treachery, and loss.
