The Role of Ophelia in William Shakespeares Hamlet Essay

The Role of Ophelia in William Shakespeares Hamlet Although Ophelia is not a main character in the revenge tragedy Hamlet her dramatic purpose is vital to the play. It emphasizes the poisoned body politic and its affects on the innocent. The role of women in the sixteenth century is to be obedient and dutiful, the only way to accomplish this was to be passive. Women in the sixteenth century were meant to be obedient to their fathers, for they were their property until such a time came when she was married, it would then be her husband to whom her duties lied. Denmark is in a state of chaos shown by the opening death of the true King Hamlet who was murdered by his own brother Claudius,†¦show more content†¦Hamlet is now believed to be mad, he knows about the murder of his father and the true corruption which rules the state of Denmark. Claudius suspects Hamlet is aware of his treachery and Polonius advises the King to use Ophelia to find the source of his madness whether it be Ophelia’s refusal to Hamlet or another matter, ‘Ophelia is a card that can be played to take several sorts of tricks’[1]. Polonius’ ambitions are that he can introduce the idea of a marriage between Hamlet and Ophelia, to heighten his social status. Ophelia’ actions have been purely innocent, when Ophelia is played against Hamlet however, Hamlet can see her corruption he can see how she is beginning to become tainted and warns her â€Å"Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?† He is warning her to either go to a nunnery or fall into the darkness and become a harlot. Ophelia has given in to evil unknowingly and her downward trajectory is beginning. Hamlet is summoned to his mothers chambers where she wishes to find the cause of his madness, meanwhile Polonius eavesdrops behind an arras only to be killed by Hamlet. Ophelia is now left with no-one to guide her in her rapidly changing life, her father is dead and her brother is away atShow MoreRelatedWomen s Tragedy : Hamlet And King Lear1185 Words   |  5 PagesTinsley Anderson Dr. Pitchford ENGL 4037 24 November 2015 Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies: Hamlet and King Lear While William Shakespeare’s Tragedies are well known for their violence, tragic heroes, and fatal flaws, the method in which Shakespeare portrays his female characters in a negative light is seldom expressed. The women of Shakespeare’s Tragedies are represented unfavorably, no matter if they are virtuous or evil. â€Å"Shakespeare’s plays are not lacking in women with positive human qualities,Read MoreHamlet: Mel Gibson vs Kenneth Branagh Essay1127 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet, a tragedy by William Shakespeare shows a lot of adaptations to movies. Hamlet by Mel Gibson (1990) and Kenneth Branagh (1996) interpret and portray the play by Shakespeare in different ways. 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