In Hamlet, taking a closer look at Ophelia's limited scenes with the help of feminist and deconstructionist interpretations give a better understanding of her character. Throughout Hamlet, Ophelia appears in only five scenes and is only one of two females present in the play. "Using feminism then, it is possible to say that Ophelia is not to pose as a main member of the play, but to represent the emotions and discrepancies of other characters, especially Hamlet's madness and feelings of love for Hamlet and her father" (Dane 1). The second interpretation is that of deconstruction. "Specifically, a deconstructionist perspective can be used to magnify the pieces of a text that are repeated and therefore symbolic of a work deconstructing itself-Hamlet's father is killed by Claudius and Ophelia's father is killed by Hamlet" (Dane 4). The purpose for Ophelia's character is to represent not only Hamlet's madness and her love for both Hamlet and Polonius, but Polonius' murder as a mirror image of King Hamlet's murder.
             By using feminism, Ophelia's first representation is of Hamlet's alleged madness. More than through any other character, Hamlet's descent into madness is seen through Ophelia's character, especially in the advice she receives from Laertes and Polonius warning her against his love. Offering his concern as her brother, Laertes cautions: "Perhaps he loves you now, And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch The virtue of his will, but you must fear, His greatness weighed, his will is not his own" (1.3.14-17). Clearly, Laertes is concerned for Hmalet's love for Ophelia. He feels it is untrue and thinks that Hamlet is going mad due to the death of his father and therefore is unable to love Ophelia.
             However, Ophelia's father Polonius makes it obvious that he is against the idea of his daughter falling in love with the Pri...