Ophelia is a character that is known because of her beauty and her simplicity. She is a young woman who is easily persuaded by the opinions and desires of others, these mainly being the thoughts from her father, her brother and to an extent, Hamlet. There are many factors to why Ophelia had gone mad, her obedience to her father, the need to have to suppress her feelings, and having to deal with her fathers' death. Ophelia was seen to be quite confused because her family and her heart were constantly in battle. Her family was making her think certain things, while her heart was trying to make sense of it all. She was seen as weak by others because of her obedience to her family, and this is what caused her "untimely death".
             Ophelia's obedience to her father can be somewhat admired. She never argued against her father, nor did she complain about what was being said. Polonius is the main reason why the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia had to end. Her father demands that she tell Hamlet that she can no longer be with him and tells her "I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth have you so slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet" (I.iii.132-34). Polonius is scornful of Hamlet's motives and concerned that he will be discredited by Ophelia's conduct. Also, Ophelia is taken advantage of because Polonius uses her to figure out if Hamlet was going insane because of his daughter or for other reasons (Act II). Torn apart, as she is, by divided loyalty it is no wonder that the strain on her eventually leads to her madness and subsequent death.
             Hamlet also plays a role in her madness. She is torn between her love for her family and her love for Hamlet. She is distraught when she sees his odd behavior and is a bit frightened when they commence in a conversation. In act 3, scene 1 Ophelia is told by Hamlet that he never really love
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