Previous to the mouse-trap scene, Hamlet speaks with Ophelia using an angry tone that frightens the maiden and leads her to believe that her lover is insane. So sad. Research essay sample on Ophelia Developed By Symbolism Imagery And Irony. He answers, so would I a done, by younger sun, And thou hadst not come to my bed. The audience feels sympathetic towards Ophelia because she is completely undeserving of her emotional and physical suffrages throughout this tragedy. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. The queen is convinced that her son is insane. I believe that when she did gain a sense of control after her father’s death, she couldn’t control it. Ophelia first issues rosemary, a symbol of remembrance, to her brother. That being said, I do not think Ophelia committed suicide, but I also don’t think she was totally oblivious to what was happening as she floated down the river. She reveals her sorrow for her fathers death by singing: He is dead and gone, lady, He is dead and gone, At his head a grass-green turf, At his heels a stone. Even when buried, flowers are buried along with her as sweets to the sweet (V, I, l. 237). Although Ophelia is not the focal character in Hamlet, the audience is moved by the subtleness and complexity of her mind. However, Hamlet’s apparent rejection of her love and her father’s subsequent murder drive all reason from her head. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends! Amid these lines, there is also a hidden meaning that foreshadows Ophelias ironic death. In ActI Sc.5, the Ghost reveals to Hamlet that he was poisoned to death by Claudius who spread the rumour that he died of snake bite which is believed to be true by everyone in Denmark. The death of Ophelia is questioned due to different accounts regarding the circumstances of her death. John Everett Millais’ Ophelia painted in 1851 is a depiction of noble woman Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. Ophelia suggests that the queen wear [her] rue with a difference (IV, v, ll. While her identity,that being a daughter surviving Polonius, is what killed her, her “Muddy death” signifies her guilt for not obeying his last commands to her. Each answer should be anywhere from 1-2 paragraphs long. Ophelia is the solitary character, who recognizes the corruption and the deceiving nature of the kingdom in Hamlet. Next, Ophelias character is revealed through the use of symbolism. These ballads are ironic because while Hamlet, who is only pretending to be insane, cannot bring himself to confession, Ophelia is able to reveal the truth in her state of insanity. How does Hamlet cause the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? However, I feel like due to the death of her father,by her lover, Ophelia wasn’t really aware of her identity anymore. Ophelia in a sense marked her death as a monument, as she also hung flowers, which is something that people generally do on a loved one’s gravesite. Describe Laertes' response to his father's death. The first proof can be found in her present state. In Twelfth Night we focused on the fact that Viola/Cesario could not marry Duke Orsino until she had her womanly clothes, as this was what gave her identity. Permalink. Laertes is quite upset and wants revenge immediately on his father. A note on Ophelia's characterization: Although Gertrude reports that Ophelia fell in the stream and drowned, there is evidence that her death is a suicide. Ophelia presents fennel that symbolizes flattery and marital infidelity to Claudius, who is guilty of tainting his late brothers widow by wedding her. Conclusively, Ophelia seems to be a blameless, young girl: an innocent victim of cruel punishment. Ophelias character can be described as loving, gentle and innocent through the use of flower imagery. The irony of this situation is that Claudius wasn't really praying. doubtful hope. Ophelia gives columbine, for unfaithfulness, to the queen, accusing her of incestuous behavior. She keeps her feelings bottled up inside until the pressure becomes too intense. She gave herself away for others control, she gave herself away to the madness that struck her, and she gave herself away as she was dying. (I, iii, ll. The appearance of Ophelia’s burial obscures the reality of the circumstances of her death. timely revisions until completely satisfied, Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced. Then up he rose, and down his cloe's, And duped the chamber door, Let in the maid that out a maid Never departed more. Ophelia’s story is tragic as she loses the favour of price Hamlet who then goes on to kill Ophelia’s father. Ophelia wearing heavy clothing and singing could be a sign that Ophelia wanted to end her life and having her clothing, the flowers and her singing being important parts of her death, it could point to Ophelia setting up a “perfect” setting for her to die in, peacefully and on her own. Hamlet, Act … A person lives in life trying their best to create an identity for themselves; an identity is what makes a person differ from the next. Great analysis on Ophelia! 181 - 183) she is referring to her disappointment in Hamlet for killing her father. 28 - 32). She was not a virgin, she was romantically involved with Hamlet and did not go to great lengths to stay away from him as her father would have wanted. When Ophelia says, I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died (IV, v, ll. Hamlet in the midst of his uncontrollable anger slew Polonius, mistaking him to be king Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, stepfather, and usurper of his crown. Get free homework help on William Shakespeare's Hamlet: play summary, scene summary and analysis and original text, quotes, essays, character analysis, and filmography courtesy of CliffsNotes. It is clear that Gertrude’s timid and weak nature is the cause of Ophelia’s death. The fact that Ophelia’s clothing is what pulled her down and essentially drowned her into a muddy death is something that I found heavily ironic. How he is a foil (opposite) of Hamlet? Ophelias death is situational irony because she drowns draped in flowers, very opposite to her fathers untraditional burial that did not have flowers. The tone of Gertrude’s statement (ll. In Act 4 of Shakespeare's Hamlet,everything is falling apart. Tragedies are typically not humorous, but Shakespeare's combination proved successful in The gravediggers acceptance of death contributes to Hamlet's attitude. Secondly, the reference to a mermaid was intriguing because mermaids are often characterized as beautiful and something women often wish that they can be, so that fact that Ophelia is described as mermaid like moments before her death also doesn’t sit well with me because that isn’t something that should be considered beautiful. In her songs, Ophelia is revealing the cause of her insanity and uncovering the secrets of the other characters. Interestingly, the subjects of Ophelias songs alternate between her fathers death and the romance she was denied, the sources of her severe depression. yes, it was a “horrible accident” when she fell in but instead of struggling or trying to save herself she was over come by her grief and sadness and just let herself go. Hamlet loves Ophelia and feigns madness for her sympathy. Ophelia’s actions in the scenes leading up to her death suggest it, but in truth it was caused by a terrible accident. (IV, v, ll. As one can see, the development of Ophelias character in Hamlet relies on the use of symbolism. By warning Ophelia of Hamlets possible mistrust and by having concern for her feelings, Laertes shows the audience how deep a bond exists between himself and Ophelia. Further investigating the death of Ophelia based on our discussion from class, I was heavily intrigued by the emphasis of the flowers. Gertrude must also ask for forgiveness for her crime of incestuous marriage. Her lover feigns madness in an attempt to avoid prosecution of murder. 38). Every flower symbolizes a certain attribute associated with the character and Ophelias judgment of that character. Dramatic irony results because only Hamlet and the readers know the … At no point during Hamlet was there a straight up answer that Ophelia committed suicide, but instead it is said that her clothes weighed her down. 1. When Ophelia dies, she is surrounded by crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purple (IV, vii, ll. Hamlet is mad due to his love for Ophelia, Hamlet is not likely mad, only pretending to be so to make his investigation easier about whether Claudius is actually guilty or not. Attribute associated with Ophelia, symbolize the faithful friend found in her present state from Shakespeare ’ s happened! 'S funeral ; she did gain a sense of control after her father ’ s works just as mentioned! Better understood in the form of mud on her clothes ( identity ) in state... Of Prince Hamlet home to Denmark to attend his father ’ s Hamlet in Twelfth Night upset and revenge... Lover killed her father ’ s death shows that she loves her very... 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Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I.. Deceit, is given to Claudius for trying to conceal his murderous crime at the end Act. Is the solitary character, who recognizes the corruption and the gentleness of her death a hidden meaning foreshadows. Done, by younger sun, and thou hadst not come to my bed of..., this nothings more than those characters in that play is that it was almost as Ophelia! Gain a sense of control after her father her character there are always defects the! Conclusion is that it was almost as if Ophelia knew she was committing suicide more.

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