Ophelia

Hamlet - Ophelia

Shakespeare's Hamlet is a tale of mortal revenge, lost souls, love and infidelity, and murder in the royal family. Hamlet, his father having recently died, is mourning the marriage of his mother to his uncle. When his father's ghost appears to him and tells him he must avenge the former king's spirit so that it may pass on to Heaven, he decides to put on an "antic disposition" so that no one will know what he is thinking. As time goes by, he cannot move himself to act upon his revenge and is tormented by his indecisiveness and ineptitude. Among all of this, what is the role of Ophelia, the young maiden, and daughter of the King's advisor, Hamlet's former sweetheart? She seems to appear out of nowhere and the play could have easily functioned as well without her. Or could it? Ophelia brings a depth to the play that no other character could bring. She serves as a character foil for Hamlet and Gertrude, supports the themes of the play, as well as serving as the sympathetic and/or tragic character, giving the play greater emotion.

When Hamlet devises his plan for revenge, he takes on an "antic disposition" to elude any suspicion of what he is doing. However, as the play continues Hamlet never fully realizes his goal because of procrastination and indecision. He is slow to act because of all the confusion, grief, and melancholy in his head. Ophelia and her brother Laertes serve as foils for Hamlet because they do almost exactly the opposite that he does when faced with the same predicaments as he.

Hamlet murders Laertes and Ophelia's father, Polonius while in a passion. Laertes challenges Hamlet to a duel the first chance that he gets to restore his family's honor. This is in stark contrast to Hamlet who brooded and sulked after his father died and when he was told of the murder, Hamlet talked fervently about his revenge, but never acted on it. While Hamlet was secretive and rude to others, Laertes acted officially and still like a gentleman, saying:

"I am satisfied in nature,

Whose motive in this case should stir me most

To my revenge; but in my terms of honor

I stand aloof and will no reconcilement

Till by some elder masters of known honor

I have a voice and precedent of peace

To keep my name ungored..."

What makes Ophelia Hamlet's foil is also part of what makes her more tragic than him. Hamlet felt grief over his father's death, however his madness was only pretend. Ophelia actually went insane after her father was killed. Ophelia's position in society was also the opposite of Hamlet's. Hamlet is free to do as he chooses, all the time. However, Ophelia is usually under close surveillance by her father at all times and has no choices. Because of this Ophelia's character is more unfortunate than that of Hamlet.

In addition to being Hamlet's foil, Ophelia also served as foil to Gertrude. Gertrude was self-serving and never blamed herself for anything bad that happened, even the things that were her fault. It is speculated that the queen knew about her husband's murder, possibly even assisted in it, but she always denied it and acted like the victim. However, Ophelia blamed herself for everything bad that happened: Hamlet's madness, her father's death, when really none of them had to do with her. Ophelia is meek and fragile; she tries to please everyone and ends up driving herself mad. She does not have confidence in herself like Gertrude does. Gertrude is a self-confident, self-involved, woman who only cares for herself. What they both have in common is that they dote on Hamlet and idolize the men in their lives. Only, Gertrude is still able to manipulate them, especially Hamlet, while Ophelia merely obeys her father and other men around her, believing everything they say and doing everything they tell her to.

Also, Ophelia projects certain themes in the play. One is the theme of sex and death. After going insane Ophelia chanted song lyrics of a vary sexual nature. She also made similar references in the first scene with Laertes. This reveals that perhaps she was not as innocent as she was assumed to be. All the characters in the play who seemed to be sexually promiscuous or otherwise impure ended up with an unpleasant end. Gertrude was poisoned by her husband, Claudius was stabbed by Hamlet, and Hamlet was slain by Laertes. Similarly, Ophelia went insane and drowned herself.

The theme of sex and death is evident in other, more metaphorical ways. In one of her mad scenes she handed out flowers to each character. Each flower represented something. Violets mean faithfulness, which "withered all when my father died." Rue obviously is for rue. She takes some for herself showing that she is remorseful. "Rosemary, for remembrance... Pansies for thoughts." Daisies represent innocence. Columbine represents folly. Fennel represents strength. The flowers she gives could be describing the character she hands them to. However, since there are not specific characters assigned to each flower, they are more likely a reflection of her own traits.

Flowers are also a metaphor for virginity. When she plucks the petals off the flowers it could mean she has been corrupted or deflowered. Ophelia associates flowers with purity in the first scene with Laertes, when he says:

"The canker galls the infants of spring

Too oft before their buttons be disclosed..."

She replies with:

"Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven

Whiles like a puffed and reckless libertine,