The Demise Of Ophelia In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Insanity’s instigator is a blurred line in Shakespeare’s novel. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, focuses on Hamlet’s erosive desire to avenge his father’s death. It is critical to look at not only the protagonist of the play, but also at the instrumental characters who contribute to the dynamic nature of the story; the progressive contagion of insanity throughout the court. One such character is the young noblewoman Ophelia. Often overlooked whilst residing in Hamlet’s shadow, Ophelia and her eventual madness is a tragedy in itself. Although, this unhealthy balance is perhaps only one of the many circumstances that lead to her demise. Ophelia is the subject of much more than just an unstable relationship, which makes her death the
Hamlet inaccurately stabs and kills Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Distraught by her father’s death and the inconceivable wrongdoings of her boyfriend, Ophelia loses the small amount of sanity to which she holds. Shortly after her father’s passing, Ophelia demonstrates noticeable changes, for which the court is concerned. King Hamlet remarks, “Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you” (4.5.79). Ophelia, still embracing her righteousness, is both bewildered and infuriated at the lack of comfort and sorrow expressed by those around her regarding Polonius's death. With unobtrusive means, Ophelia’s psychological deterioration begins to show. Laertes is the first to notice, “A document in madness: thoughts and/ Remembrance fitted” (4.5.202-203). Concluding that there would be no sacrament held for her father, Ophelia begins to take matters into her own hands, “There’s rosemary, that's for remembrance./ Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies/ that’s for thoughts” (4.5.199-201). Each flower that Ophelia lists, reflects a far more heartfelt meaning than their name. Rosemary symbolizes remembrance and fidelity, pansies represent thoughts, faithfulness and memories, and fennel and columbines symbolized adultery, foolishness and deceived lovers. As she continues to remark each flower with attentive symbolism, she adds, “I would give you some violets, but they withered all when/ my father died.
Instead, she crumbles into insanity and lets her misery swallow her whole. Throughout her life, Ophelia gets pulled along by men and the societal expectations of their culture. With limited freedom to communicate her consciousness, Ophelia finds her only outlet in madness. Despite her downfall and inability to overcome each battle, Ophelia’s character holds a large amount of tension and lunacy. Even with limited appearances, Ophelia experiences a reverse fortune and a realization far stronger than those around her. The rationale behind Ophelia’s catastrophic end is what makes her death the true tragedy of The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of