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 and suppliance of a minute; no more."[pg. 1106] Ophelia's response was, "No more but so?" [pg. 1106] A person who is in love with someone, and thinks enough of them, is going to stand up for that person and defend their relationship. So when she responded like this, it was almost like fuel for Laertes to share even more of his opinions.
             "Think it no more. For nature cresent does not grow alone in thews and bulk, but as this temple waxes, the inward service of the mind and soul grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now...but you must fear, his greatness weighed, his will not his own, for he himself is subject to his birth."[pg. 1106] He i...

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