Hamlet And Ophelia Essay

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Of all the pivotal characters in Hamlet, Ophelia is the most static and one-dimensional. She has the potential to become a tragic heroine -- to overcome the adversities inflicted upon her -- but she instead crumbles into insanity, becoming merely tragic. Ophelia is depicted as an obedient and tender-hearted young lady who willingly obeys her father. In this time Ophelia didn’t have very much power or equality as men. She is also very naive, defenseless, and loyal to the men in her life; which is why throughout the play it seems as though she never makes decisions for herself, they were always based on what others wanted. If she hadn’t been so obedient would she have remained sane, would her life be spared? Ophelia is a character who has been viewed differently by different audiences. An audience from today’s society would view her as weak compared to women today. She obeys the male authority in her life because she believes it to be her duty. An older, Victorian audience would view her as an ideal woman; they would see her as a role model. Ophelia has the 'perfect' life; she has a safe home in the Elsinore Castle and is cared for greatly by others. Ophelia is first seen in Act One, Scene Three when Laertes is speaking to Ophelia, advising her on what to do. He tells her in a very direct manner; "Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain if with too credent ear you list his songs, or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open" Laertes is warning Ophelia that before committing herself to Hamlet she needs to think about what he can offer her and how safe she would be with him. She does the only thing she knows how to do, she obeys without question. She doesn’t realize it but her obedience and innocence is stirring up drama. This scene is just one of many in Hamlet where men have more authority and knowledge than women. Laertes is talking down to Ophelia and
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