Polonius thinks that Hamlet is acting weird because he is in love with Ophelia and commands her to stop seeing Hamlet. For the most part, though, I would say that Hamlet's reaction to Ophelia attempting to give him back the letters is venomous because its what spurs Hamlet's infamous and wrathful "get thee to a nunnery" speeches. I think that Hamlet is actually starting to lose his sanity and that it is no longer an act. I predict that Hamlet will only become more insane as the play continues, affecting many of the characters along the way. Between him losing his father, his mother remarrying within a couple days of his father's death, and the girl that he loves has been spying on him to help out his new stepfather. I agree with Joanna's idea that Hamlet's craziness is a result of his father's death and his mother's marriage. town-crier spoke my lines. What does he propose to test his theory? Why is ophelia frightened by hamlet? So the next logical character is his girlfriend. Ophelia. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. Everyone is against him. In Hamlet, does Hamlet really love Ophelia. What is his role in the play? During some points of his soliloquy he was acting crazy. I believe that towards the beginning of scene one Hamlet is normal and not crazy, but when the scene progresses Hamlet begins to show characteristics of him being crazy. At the top of Act Three Polonius forces Ophelia to return Hamlets letters and renounce his affections. The combination of her former lovers cruelty and her fathers death sends Ophelia into a fit of grief. September 2015 Why is Ophelia frightened by Hamlet? Similarly, Hamlet, determined to convince Polonius and Claudius that he is mad, speaks in riddles to Ophelia and verbally attacks her. At this point, though, the political camps have firmed up. As the ensuing speech makes clear, this appears to be less an attack on Ophelia herself and, in fact, not even an attack on women as such, but a tirade against all of humanity. Everyone, even Horatio, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, outranks her in social class, political status, gender, birth order, or a combination of these things. As all the tragedy in Hamlets life continues to build up the more aggressive he gets. But remember they use an Election system. Continue to start your free trial. They warn her against entertaining himshould he "tamper" with her sexually she would be ruined for an eligible marriage and she must guard her virginity and they, as father and brother, are custodians of it. Why does Othello attack Iago in Shakespeare's Othello? Why didn't Hamlet kill Claudius when he had the chance at the end of act 3, scene 3? However, like Hamlet she has been severely affected by the murder of her father. Why is Creon the tragic hero and not Antigone? At this point, I am unsure whether or not Hamlet is faking insanity at this point in the story. Even though i don't like your hair, I really like the quotes that you used. But Hamlet did not want to make Ophelia, like Gertrude, "the imperial jointress to this warlike state," a "breeder of sinners" bloody, warlike Princes and Kings like himself (now) and his father and his uncle and Fortinbras. You have good points and wrote so much that it definitely does not make the rest of us look bad. How do you fill in the blanks that Shakespeare left? You'll be billed after your free trial ends. What does it mean to call a minor party a spoiled? Polonius was wrong in thinking Ophelia was not a suitable prospect for the newly-designated heir Gertude liked her. for a group? In fact, her reputation depends on pretending that she never cared about his at all. When Hamlet first sees Ophelia he seems surprised and happy to see her. I think that Hamlet's actions in scene 1 do show that Hamlet is actually insane. The clues are all there that Hamlet and Ophelia had some sort of relationship prior to the play. Want 100 or more? for a customized plan. Latest answer posted December 19, 2017 at 9:21:46 AM, What is the meaning of the following quote? What are the topics of Claudius' speech in Hamlet? A lot of this play would have been different if Laertes were to stay at Elsinore for Acts II and III. Which country agreed to give up its claims to the Oregon territory in the Adams-onis treaty? We also notice that Ophelia is described as being "mermaid-like" with her "clothes spread wide." Without that tragic flaw, Hamlet and Ophelia would have eloped to Wittenberg and lived happily ever after. Process of transferring data to a storage medium? If she goes against dad, she can't depend on her boyfriend to protect her. Latest answer posted November 19, 2020 at 1:33:52 PM. How can you tell is a firm is incorporated? Already a member? Laertes in particular points out that Hamlet will ultimately have to make the choice that is best for Denmark. I think Polonius asks G and C "What would you think of me" simply because he is trying to worm his way out of a situation he has created. She went crazy after. At one point he is saying that he loves Ophelia and the next, he is saying that he doesn't love her and that she should "take thee to a nunnery." He professes his love for Ophelia again to Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius after Ophelia has died, saying, "I loved Ophelia. Of all the major characters, Ophelia has perhaps the least power and control over herself. Is Hamlet best-considered a problem play or a tragedy? Dont have an account? In analyzing who Ophelia is, the most obvious perspective is that of objectified . When Hamlet first sees Ophelia, he is excited as most people would be to see their girlfriend/ boyfriend. a brothel. I don't think that Hamlet is actually insane he just doesn't deal well with rejection which causes him to lash out. There was an impossibility to their relationship, socially. :), 14135 views Why have they come to Elsinore? Why is Shakespeare talking about jealousy in Othello? C hasn't truly taken up a position against H, and the queen is most certainly not against her son.As for the pregnant O theory. I loved you not." I believe his actions are a direct result of his father's death. The death of his father and the betrayal by nearly all of the people he loves has driven him to actually become crazy. As soon as Ophelia says something about returning his remembrances he isn't too happy. I believe that Hamlet began to show signs of insanity as his fight with Ophelia progresses. What is the function of "fish" and "king" here? Polonius is constantly peering over Hamlet's shoulder to spy on him. Continue Learning about Movies & Television. Rather than straight-up committing suicide, as Gertrude tells us, she accidentally falls in the water and then simply neglects to save herself from sinking. P is trying to suck up to G and C, of that there is no doubt, but at this point in the play, they are still trying to find what ails Hamlet. It may have originally been an act, but it is apparent in this conversation with Ophelia and during his soliloquy. How do you find density in the ideal gas law. "In Hamlet, what did Hamlet do in Act 2 to scare Ophelia?" All men, even Hamlet himself, are arrant knaves. Ophelia is used by two men in the play her father and Hamlet as a pawn for them to enact their deceptions. Hamlet's not the only one who defines Ophelia by her sexuality. However you could've went more in depth of what is actually happening such as using textual evidence, you rarely used any at all. I love the amount of material you have posted on this blog post for us to read. He questions Ophelia's motives, calls her a lair, and tells her that he never loved her. it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth. What does the ghost look like, say, and do? Yet in the scene of The Gravediggers, Hamlet later contends that Ophelia must have purposefully taken her own life. Why? What does Polonius ask Reynaldo to give to his son? Ophelia is used by two men in the play - her father and Hamlet - as a pawn for them to enact their deceptions. And it's too much for Ophelia. Laertes takes a typically Elizabethan stance toward female sexuality a "deflowered" woman was damaged goods that no man would want to marry. I believe Hamlet's actions are motivated by his father's death, and the anger toward his family. Hamlet gets even angrier when he realizes he is being spied on. Can we see pic of female inserting a tampon? Is Laertes just looking out for his little sister's best interests? Either interpretation is valid, given that Hamlet's madness is, for the most part, feigned, and that he later makes several sexual references toward Ophelia. I enjoyed the writer's use of textual evidence throughout his post such as mentioning the nunnery. Continue Learning about Movies & Television. Answer (1 of 5): As always with Shakespeare there are many possible interpretations. How is Hamlet portrayed in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead"? I also agree with your prediction about Hamlet becoming even more insane than he already is as the play goes on. However, when Ophelia encounters him, he is in a state of disarray. However, once he realizes that he is being spied on and that Ophelia seems to be in on the plan, he starts to act insane. How did Claudius flatter Laertes in Hamlet? copyright 2003-2023 Homework.Study.com. I also liked the use of your quote in your writing. All rights reserved. Hamlet then starts criticizing Ophelia and insulting her. What is comical about Polonius in Hamlet? Ophelia is a person that is very obedient to her father and the fact that Hamlet has approached her like this she feels that it needs to be addressed. There are too many things going on in his life in order for him to keep himself sane. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Immediately after, when Ophelia attempts to return the love letters to Hamlet, his emotions completely reverse until he is furiously yelling at her. You used good textual evidence and supported your opinions. (4.7.199-208). He begins running around the room searching for anyone who might be watching him. Next Act 2, Scene 2 Themes and Colors Key Summary Analysis Inside Elsinore, Polonius gives his servant Reynaldo money and notes to take France. When Ophelia visits Hamlet in Scene 1 Act 3, he is very happy to see her. Their relationship was a secretthe play is littered with secrets bubbling to the surface. (III.I.113). 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Framing Ophelia: Representation and the Pictorial Tradition, Grinning Death's-Head: Hamlet and the Vision of the Grotesque, Mourning and Misogyny: Hamlet, The Revenger's Tragedy, and the Final Progress of Elizabeth I, 1600-1607, Nobler in the Mind: The Dialect in Hamlet, The 'Heart of My Mystery': Hamlet and Secrets, The First Quarto of Hamlet: Reforming Widow Gertred. Finally another example is when he begins to harass Ophelia at the end of scene for something that basically her father planed and Ophelia had little choice. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. But I dont know how to interpret very oft of late. He is half undressed and acting crazy. I agree with your response that Hamlet is taking his anger and bottled emotions out on those around him. In the final scene of the first act of William Shakespeare 's Hamlet, the title character, as part of his efforts to avenge the death of his father, decides that he will pretend to . What was the outcome of the fight between King Hamlet and Fortinbras? I do like the amount of explanation that you included in this response.I do disagree with your opinion, and I believe that Hamlet is actually going insane. Ophelia had the same flaw she let her father tell her what to think. That's what she tells her He is insulting her by telling her to go to a nunnery and is blaming his madness on her and says that his mother never should have gave birth to him. Say? In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior? You had a few grammar errors, but otherwise your entry seems to thoroughly answer the prompt. I liked the amount of evidence you included in your post. Laertes is. Which country agreed to give up its claims to the Oregon territory in the Adams-onis treaty? But why does Polonius suddenly take an interest, and make her shut him down? How does Polonius explain Hamlet's behavior? 66. What does Claudius accomplish in his opening speech in Hamlet? He greets her with a hug an some friendly conversation. Your parents only wish they had a daughter like Ophelia. However, I disagree that it is just an act. In act 2 of Hamlet, what news does Ophelia bring Polonius? English IV-Hamlet review questions (1).docx. In Hamlet, act 3, why is Hamlet so brutal to Ophelia? In which Shakespearean tragedy does Ophelia appear? Hamlet insults Ophelia's makeup, and says her beauty makes her even more of a liar. Almost immediately after he tells her this, he tells her he never did love her. Drew, I think you did a good job of summarizing Hamlet's reaction to Ophelia. I was under the impression from the talking to Ophelia received from both her father and brother that Hamlet is trifling with her because she isnt eligible to marry him. Why is ophelia frightened by hamlet? Are you allowed to carry food into indira gandhi stadium? When Hamlet first sees Ophelia, he is excited and happy. His actions truly do provide evidence that he somewhat insane. Words without thoughts never to heaven go. What is the word that goes with a public officer of a town or township responsible for keeping the peace? Does that mean that for the previous couple of months Hamlet and Ophelia have been cool, a couple even, and that the melancholy prince has actually had a girlfriend to rely on for some emotional support? How co2 is dissolve in cold drink and why? Are they betraying their friend Hamlet? The real tragedy of the character of Ophelia, then, is that she is not a tragic heroine as much as she is collateral damage in Hamlets mission to seek revenge for his fathers murder. This could just be because he is mad at her, but the things that he said made it just sound like he was mindlessly rambling on. Why did Hamlet take so long to get revenge? :). The things which destroy Ophelia his feigned madness and verbal abuse towards her, and his inadvertent killing of her father, believing Polonius to be Claudius are part of Hamlets headlong campaign to get to the truth. And eventually, Ophelia snapsjust like a lot of people who spend their lives obeying other people without any sense of personal agency. So, Hamlet doesn't necessarily have to marry a princess. Another reason why Ophelia is so worried about Hamlet is because of their past relationship. This causes him to question Ophelia about Polonius, and about her honesty towards him. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. He says that if Ophelia were to marry, she'd turn her husband into a "monster," or a cuckold (cuckolds were thought to have horns like monsters) because she would inevitably cheat on him (3.1.151); and then he follows up these sweet nothings with a little "I loved you not" (3.1.129). In the book, he hears the noise and he relizes that people are spying on him. What is significant about this method? How does Hamlet's play on words establish the reason he comes to see his mother in act 3, scene 4? This appearance before Ophelia can therefore be interpreted as his opening sally in this stratagem. Just what you want to hear from your brother, right? Discount, Discount Code What is the big issue in Hamlet's second soliloquy? What are they? His clothes were in disarray In Act 2, Scene 1, what does Ophelia say about the look on Hamlet's face? Why is building fan loyalty important to the success of any sports organization? I think that his actions are still motivated by his father's death and his mother's remarriage. And, with his head over his shoulder turned, He seemed to find his way without his eyes' (2.1.94-98). He calls her a prostitute in doing so, and then tells her he may have once loved her. I really liked how you summarized Hamlet and Ophelia's conversation! I like how specific you were when explaining the insults, it really paints a picture of how this whole scene went down. Do they have to give members warning before they bar you? Ophelia seems pretty crushed by all this: And I, of ladies most deject and wretched, That sucked the honey of his music vows,Now see that noble and most sovereign reason, [] out of time and harsh;(3.1.169-171; 172). If their relationship was so impossible, why does Gertrude say that she thought (or was it hoped?) However he started to seem a little insane once she tried to give him back the letters. HAMLET: At supper. 7. Who states, "Brevity is the soul of wit"? Notice how her death seems to be passive? The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Why is this statement ironic? When she stands at Ophelia's grave and states that she had hoped her to be Hamlet's wife, only ADDS to the tragedy of the play.I often tell my students, "Hamlet is often a play of questions and not of answers." For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. When Ophelia offers to return Hamlet's love letters, Hamlet becomes aggressively defensive and says that he never loved her. What is the summary of koki plays a game by Ruskin Bond? What is the relationship between Commerce and economics? He is losing his ability to reason with himself, and is unable to control his actions, even at times when he is not putting on an act. He left Ophelia crying on the ground, Polonius thinking he was right about why he is insane, and Claudius thinking that maybe the cause of Hamlets madness is his fathers death. All of the things going on in his life have led him to actually going mad. Large sigh. it looks like the king, says nothing, and stalks. Hamlet gets unbelievably angry at Ophelia's betrayal here that, to me at least, his behavior can only be described as venomous. Hamlet has decided to appear crazy in order to. He insults her makeup and calls her two-faced. although he did love Ophelia. However, I think that the answer to the "why" question you ask is because Hamlet is primarily angered at the thought that Ophelia has taken the side of Claudius and Polonius and not his own, and is taking out his pent-up aggression towards both womanhood and fate itself on her. I truly believe that this is what is happening to Hamlet. She saw Hamlet slap Gertrude in the face. What does Polonius tell Claudius and Gertrude in Hamlet? Later, he suddenly changes and starts to go insane when he realizes he is being spied on. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. How is Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead different from Hamlet? I mean, I know what it means, but what does Polonius think it means? Hamlet continues, calling Ophelia a hypocrite, and insulting her makeup. The Valentine song, and Hamlet's "Get the to a nunnery" and "Nymph, in thy orisonsbe all my sins remembered" are possible pieces of evidence that they had slept together. He quickly changes his opinion when he perceives the set up. Whereas most of the other important men in Hamlet are preoccupied with ideas of justice, revenge, and moral balance, Claudius is bent upon maintaining his own power. He also tells her to go to a nunnery and calls her a liar and the reasons for his problems. The flower-strewing scene (IV.5) is her most famous scene, and it obviously echoes Hamlets own madness in one sense (it confuses Gertrude and the rest of the court) but unlike Hamlets, is (we assume) entirely genuine. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Ophelia obeys, but her action sends Hamlet into a fit of misogynistic rage. When she goes mad, she sings a bawdy song about a maiden who is tricked into losing her virginity with a false promise of marriage (4.5.63-71)part of the reason why many literary critics see Ophelia's madness as a result of patriarchal pressure and abuse. Process of transferring data to a storage medium? Did Hamlets father die and then all of a sudden, with no other emotional support, Hamlet threw himself at Ophelia? Just as well, Hamlet's question of Ophelia's honest can go two ways: he can mean "honest" as in to question if Ophelia is telling the truth right now (as opposed to being puppeted by Polonius and Claudius, which, in reality, she is), or if she is chaste, or sexually pure. (one code per order), SparkNotes PLUS (a)He would not look at her and would not speak to her.

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