Analysis of Ophelia's Character in Shakespeare's Hamlet Essay

could the text be read and interpreted differently by two different readers? Text Analyzed: Shakespeare’s Hamlet Part of the Course to Which the Text Corresponds to: Part 4 Thesis: In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, Ophelia’s role would be interpreted as a plot device by a modern English woman and as a victim by an Elizabethan woman. This would occur because of their understanding of the symbolism of Ophelia’s actions in madness, the context surrounding Hamlet’s view of her, and their characterization

The Symbolism of Ophelia’s Character The name Ophelia has been most commonly associated with William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, where she is referred to as the title character's mad lover. She is believed to have killed herself out of madness by drowning herself in a river. Interpretations about Ophelia's character have ranged from being a woman who lost her sanity upon her father, Polonius' death to being the object of hatred by Hamlet. However, despite her supporting character in the play, her

2013 “The Madness & Death of Ophelia” Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: By; William Shakespeare In Hamlet, Shakespeare makes it clear that Prince Hamlet is insane or at least on the verge of “madness.” However, Ophelia (daughter of Polonius, King of Denmark) begins to go mad, as well, after Hamlet kills her father, and the other numerous tragedies that plague her like a black cloud hovering about until her untimely death. In this literary analysis I will ask, and attempt to explain the symbolism

Hamlet - Shakespeare's Ophelia as Modern Icon Shakespeare's Ophelia is not lacking in attention. As one of Shakespeare's most popular female characters she has enjoyed many appellations from the bard. '"Fair Ophelia." "Most beautified Ophelia." "Pretty Ophelia." "Sweet Ophelia." "Dear Ophelia." "Beautiful Ophelia…sweet maid…poor wretch." "Poor Ophelia."' (Vest 1) All of these names for Ophelia can be found in Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Since Shakespeare's incarnation

This essay will pose as an analysis of Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet. This play is a drama and it takes place in the 16th century in Denmark. The central characters are Ophelia, Hamlet, and Ophelia’s brother Laertes and father Polonius. In this work, Ophelia is constantly influenced by the opinions of those that surround her which causes her to become a prisoner to her own thoughts. This drama was written as a depiction of how women conducted themselves during this time and conformed to the standards

impregnate his readers’ minds with the possibility that Ophelia could be pregnant. His mastery over the dialogues between characters allows the readers to believe that their interpretation of Ophelia’s pregnancy is their own original idea, whereas it really is Shakespeare planting the right seeds in their minds. Rhetoric scattered throughout the play is crucial to fleshing out the characters as multi-faceted people with ideals that may seem contradictory. In her first appearance in the play, Ophelia is depicted

and importance of gender within classical texts. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the feminist perspective reveals several elements of these societal differences that were so relevant in Elizabethan times. Although the play suggests an array of interpretations, the feminist perspective emphasizes the strength and significance of the feminine elements in this controversial piece of literature, mainly through the deterioration of Ophelia’s psyche, the patriarchal relationships that admonish the component

enclosed by a great amount of unreciprocated questions, evokes analysis. Consequently, it does not astonish that innumerable multitude of people aim to pierce deeper into his work shipping the mark of Shakespeare ambiguity and answer to some budding questions. The approach towards Shakespeare’s personality but also towards the understanding of his works diverges and proceeds in various directions. Such a contrast could be seen in Ophelia’s understanding. For

that sees no future. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Ophelia and Hamlet’s love falls victim to their own insecurities and therefore drastically fails. The relationship that ensues between Ophelia and Hamlet is complicated and questioned continuously in modern day analysis of the play. Their relationship proves to be important to the story in many different ways, including how it affects the characters as individuals throughout the play. Shakespeare’s use of character development, the effects

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia is the most static character in the play. Instead of changing through the course of the play, she remains suffering in the misfortunes perpetrated upon her. She falls into insanity and dies a tragic death. Ophelia has issues surviving without a male influence, and her downfall is when all the men in her life abandon her. Hamlet’s Ophelia, is a tragic, insane character that cannot exist on her own. In Elizabethan times, Ophelia is restricted as a woman. She