Does Hamlet Love Ophelia Essay

The work of Hamlet is known for the theme of death due to hatred and revenge, however, Hamlet performed the biggest act of love by his willingness to abandon everything he obtained out of respect for his father. In the play, the audience focuses on how the characters are trying to plot revenge on one another which translates into their fatal flaw. Even Hamlet took part in the vindictive act. But despite his revenge, what exists deeper beneath lays the truest act of devotion out of the play. Mourning his father’s death, Hamlet decides to evoke revenge on Claudius. He gives up all of who he is as a person and the things he holds dear to trick people into believing he has gone insane. One of the many matters Hamlet sacrificed was Ophelia. Without a doubt, Hamlet truly loved Ophelia. But in the midst of his act, Ophelia believed the true Hamlet came to be overpowered by madness. When Ophelia returned Hamlet’s love letters, he could have easily explained his act of insanity. However, he knew that he could not tell her as much as he desired her. This goes to reinforce that as much as Hamlet adored Ophelia, this became another thing he rejected for the sake of King Hamlet. Even though Claudius embezzled the throne, it was easily assumed that Hamlet would be the next heir. With this being so, Hamlet held a wonderful
However, Hamlet’s total self-sacrifice is much unnoticed, as he completely gave up everything he acquired out of the unconditional devotion for his father. In a way, this can be biblical, as a son sacrifices his own life for the good of another. Hamlet has to turn away from all he cherishes for a deeper love. Instead of focusing on the turmoil within the royal family, the reader should admire and commend this absolute self-immolation. While hatred and revenge are major themes in Hamlet, Hamlet’s surrender of self is overlooked, yet is the greatest act of love in the