There's Something About Ophelia
There's something about Ophelia "His greatness weighed, his will is not his own, for he is subject to his birth."[pg. 1106] This quote from Laertes to his sister, Ophelia, is stating that Hamlet is a victim of circumstance. Hamlet, who has been attempting to get with Ophelia, is a prince, which means that he may not have a choice in who he marries. He had been making advances at Ophelia's affection and she has been receiving them well. But, Laertes has been warning her not to get too emotionally involved with Hamlet. In her other ear is her father, Polonius, who is calling her naive and stupid for falling in love with Hamlet. It seems, in a sense, that Ophelia is now being put in the very position that Hamlet has been assumed in. Ophelia seems to be very weak and submissive, which I understand was the characteristic that all women were to have in these times. She bases her decisions around what her brother and father tell her to do, rather than merely dismiss their words as advice. Laertes called their relationship a fad, and Ophelia didn't even challenge the comment. "Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood; a violet in the youth of primy nature, forward, not permanent; sweet not lasting; the perfume
"[1108] Polonius forbids her to continue seeing Hamlet, and she has no choice but obey. They say that Hamlet is just lying to her to get her in bed, and play her. "In few, Ophelia, do not believe his vows, for they are brokers, not of that dye which their investments show but mere implorators of unholy suits, Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds. They say he is young and cannot know what love is; in effect, they are doing this very thing to Ophelia by not allowing her to find out for herself about love. Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?"[pg. Ophelia is in an unfair predicament. Polonius has a pre-conceived notion that Hamlet is out to deliberately hurt Ophelia - which is even more of a drastic accusation than Laertes'. Things were different back in these times, but Ophelia needs to listen to her heart and not her family. But her situation is also very ironic. He not only adds on to what Laertes says, but he takes it a step further by implying Hamlet is only looking for some easy sex. "Affection? Pooh! You speak like a green girl, unsifted in such perilous circumstance. By standing up to them, she is no longer a victim to anybody - except Hamlet's love. 1106] He is suggesting that Hamlet wouldn't be able to continue a relationship with Ophelia anyway, because he is the prince and might have an arranged marriage.
Common topics in this essay:
There's Ophelia,
Affection Pooh,
Polonius Laertes,
Hamlet Polonius,
love life,
own subject birthpg,
own subject,
subject birthpg 1106,
greatness weighed own,
weighed own subject,
father polonius,
victim circumstance,
arranged marriage,
weighed own,
birthpg 1106,
greatness weighed,
laertes leaves,
subject birthpg,
|
Acceptance Essays
