Custom Essays: Hamlet as an Accessory to Ophelias Suicide

Hamlet as an assistant to Ophelias Suicide William Shakespeares character of Ophelia in Hamlet, suffers greatly, from the time she learns of her father Polonius death, until her own hugger-mugger death. In Hamlet, Gertrude, Horatio and Claudius refer to her state, and conclude that she is crazy11. Though there is some right to their claim, Shakespeare created Ophelia as an overly- dramatic character, who is somewhat exaggerating her emotions to give an impression of madness. Although their impression of Ophelia nookie be supported, evidence is not shown as much in her words, as it is shown in her actions. Ophelias songs seem like riddles and nonsense22, yet they are similar to the patterns of address by Hamlet, revealing truths and true emotions, and at times sarcasm. However, Ophelias whimsical, and child-like behavior is sort of different than the prim, reserved Ophelia at the beginning of the play. Still, this behavior is not agreeable with the sad words in her grief-lad en songs, nor is it consistent with a woman in grief rather Ophelias physical behavior is the strongest evidence that Ophelia may depict signs of madness. Hamlets act to convince his insanity to all that knew him influenced Ophelia to perform following Hamlets function with his feigned madness, eventually leading to the girls suicide, thus implicating Hamlet in her death. In act four, scene five Gertrude and Horatio discuss Ophelias worsening condition straightaway prior to her entrance. They attribute the young girls decline to her concern for her recently on the spur of the moment father. Ophelia displays signs of being overly sensitive and volatile, which concerns Horatio Spurns enviously at straws, speaks things in motion / That carry but... ... Notes 11 Hamlet, (4.5.3,5-10). 22 Hamlet, (4.5.7) 33 Hamlet, (4.5.6-7). 44 Neely, Carol Thomas, Document in Madness, University of Illinois, Shakespeare Criticism annual 1991, brashness 19, pp 333-334. 55 Hamlet, (4.5.21). 66 Hamlet, (4.5.29-32) 77Hamlet, (2.2.186) 88 Turner, John, Hamlet The Court in Transition. University College of Swansea, Shakespearean Criticism, Volume 16, Yearbook 1990, p. 253. 99 Neely, p. 333. 1010 Hamlet, (4.5.47-54) 1111 Neely, p. 333. 1212 Hamlet, (4.5.55). 1313 Neely, p. 333. 1414 Hamlet, (4.5.159). 1515 Hamlet, (4.5.176-186) 1616 Persoon, James. Shakespeares Hamlet the meaning of Ophelias distribution of herbs and flowers. Explicator, v. 55, Wntr 1997, pp 70-71. 1717 Persoon, p 71. 1818Hamlet, (2.2109)