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Ophelia can be compared to that of a delicate, wilted, flower. She is fragile and apparently ruled by the men in her life. It is as though she has no true identity, for Polonius and Laertes dictated her actions. Her brother discourages her from maintaining her relationship with Hamlet by telling her, “Fear it Ophelia, fear it my dear sister, and keep you in the rear of your affection out of the shot and danger of desire.” Her father concurs with Laertes’ opinions of Hamlet’s true intentions and tells her princes could only marry princesses. This is a contradiction, for throughout the play, Gertrude implies that she would like to see Hamlet and Ophelia together. If Polonius were correct, wouldn’t Gertrude have been the first to say her son must look for a more deserving woman? At no time during t
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Without further questioning, she obediently agrees to abide by her father’s wishes of severing the relationship. Not even in death could she find relief. Was the fact that Hamlet was a male prince more important than manipulating his own daughter into playing along? Again, he took her vulnerability, used it to control her, and did not see the consequences in doing so. Because of her suicide, she was now destined to roam aimlessly as a lost soul. Polonius failed to consider that having Ophelia do this, would driver her further into the midst of sadness.
While her father’s intentions appear to be good, he did not allow her to learn the lessons of life on her own. In denying he ever loved her and telling her she was in essence, a seductress, he does not realize the damage he has done to this frail individual. In fact, she too was used as a pawn. Her character is among the most tragic of them all. Ophelia did not have the confidence to stand up for herself. Her brother was away so she did not even have his support in order to deal with the overwhelming sadness.
Hamlet is yet another person who hurts her terribly.
Between the loss of a love and the loss of her father, Ophelia’s life quickly went downhill.
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