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Comparing Hamlet And Ophelia

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William Shakespeare’s Hamlet tells the story of a prince who seeks revenge on his uncle Claudius, who steals the throne from Hamlet’s father through murder. Hamlet faces a conflict attempting to murder his uncle while facing surrounding conflicts including his relationships with God and the women in his life. Growing up, a son with a mother that accommodates her child as he grows into a man creates a strong relationship between the two. Ernest Jones, the author of Tragedy and the Mind of the Infant, conducts a theory that the relationship between Hamlet and his mother causes Hamlet’s dependency on having a woman in his life to show him affection. Jones argues that the combination of the Gertrude’s fondness for her son and sensual nature lead …show more content…

He begins the article by writing about the similarities and differences between Hamlet’s relationships with Ophelia and Gertrude. He addresses that Ophelia contains many similarities to Gertrude, which is why Hamlet is so desperate for her affection. Jones also directs attention to their differences in order to release the idea that Hamlet wanted a woman that would not remind him of his mother. In his second paragraph, Jones talks about Hamlet’s jealousy towards his uncle after he takes Gertrude and the throne. He explains that Hamlet’s life long desire to replace his father’s genuine role as king, and clarifies that Hamlet’s anger at Claudius is derived from Claudius taking Hamlet’s desires. Following this, Jones claims that the two tragedies Hamlet faces, his father’s death and mother’s second marriage represented ideas that in Hamlet’s mind are very closely related. He then proceeds to change the subject to Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia. Jones explains Hamlet’s sexual revulsion is caused by his complex reaction to the thought of his mother connected with his sensuality. That is combined with a fierce jealousy of Gertrude giving herself to another man, which results in a resentment against women taken out on Ophelia. Jones claims that the theme of the play ultimately splits …show more content…

Jones begins his article by stating “As a child Hamlet had experienced the warmest affection for his mother, and this, as is always so, had contained elements of a disguised erotic quality, still more so in infancy”(Jones-200). He begins with this to depict to the reader how important Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is. Hamlet grew up an only child, who, as heir to the throne, was given all of the attention from his parents. This led him to believe that he would always have his mother and father coddle and look after him until he took the throne. Gertrude had a never ending love for Hamlet which let to that belief, and shows Hamlet’s affection from his mother is one of the reasons he assumes he will always have a woman that is there for him. Claudius acknowledges this relationship by stating “The Queen his mother/ Lives almost by his looks”(IV. vii. 13-14). Claudius is explaining to Laertes that he simply cannot rid of Hamlet just for the sake of it. He knows that Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is a two way road, and by throwing away Hamlet he could also be throwing away his wife. Jones describes this as an erotic relationship to show that the connection Hamlet has with his mother is extended to a sensual feeling, relating to the one he shares with Ophelia. Although they

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