The Destruction Of Ophelia In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Hamlet possesses an indecisive, morose, and wrathful outlook on people and life, causing him to take brash actions. William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Hamlet” was written in 1601 and published in 1603. Set in Denmark during the Middle Ages, the play revolves around the tragic hero, Hamlet, whom is forced to cope with his father’s death. During the scene 5 of Act I, it is revealed by the ghost of King Hamlet that he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius. Thus, Hamlet is impelled to satisfy his father’s request and avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius. Moreover, Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, briskly marries King Claudius, thus prompting Hamlet to having a distrust of women. The play centers on making moral choices, corruption, and the nature
Due to Ophelia’s fickle behavior regarding Hamlet, he is unsure of her affection and does not deem her trustworthy. Ophelia is not yet a married woman, meaning she is not admitted to disobey her father, and not able to control her own choices. When her father demands “I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth have you so sander and moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.” (I, III, 136-140) Ophelia must heed her father’s commands. When Ophelia is requested to converse with Hamlet by Polonius and Claudius, she must endure. She attempts to return letters that Hamlet wrote for her, this seeming to have a powerful effect on him. Although he has suspicions that their conversation is being eavesdropped on, Hamlet does not restrain himself with his reaction towards Ophelia. Hamlet seems to contradict himself when proclaiming her “Get thee to a nunnery, go.” (III, I, 138). Nunnery, also meaning brothel, shows Hamlet’s indecisive feelings for Ophelia, by using a word that paints her as holy and sinful. As he continues to insult Ophelia, it becomes clear that Hamlet presumes all women to be deceitful, describing that “God has given you one face and you make yourselves another.” (III, I, 145). Although it is not certain whether or not Hamlet truly loves Ophelia, it can be deducted that due to his mother’s actions he cannot be definite in his
This reveals that when humans are put in stressful, intense situations they may react based off emotion rather than logically. It is human nature for someone to be spiteful if they feel they are justified. As well as if someone is hurt, they may attempt to make you feel the same as they do. Hamlet shows that it is human nature to make mistakes when going through a traumatic event, but there are consequences to the harsh decisions