Ophelia, on the other hand, is the opposite of Gertrude, a pure and gentle maiden who is brought up to become the perfect wife for Hamlet. Laertes warns Ophelia of Hamlet, “If with too credent ear you list his songs Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open To his unmaster'd importunity. Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister, And keep you in the rear of your affection, Out of the shot and danger of desire,”(1.3.27-39) He wants her to retain her purity in order to stay desirable as a woman and not be deflowered. It does not matter what type of personality a woman has or the accomplishments she has achieved throughout her life, women are only valued by their virginity, and once they lose that quality, their value as a women greatly decreases in the eyes of
Ophelia, on the other hand, is the opposite of Gertrude, a pure and gentle maiden who is brought up to become the perfect wife for Hamlet. Laertes warns Ophelia of Hamlet, “If with too credent ear you list his songs Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open To his unmaster'd importunity. Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister, And keep you in the rear of your affection, Out of the shot and danger of desire,”(1.3.27-39) He wants her to retain her purity in order to stay desirable as a woman and not be deflowered. It does not matter what type of personality a woman has or the accomplishments she has achieved throughout her life, women are only valued by their virginity, and once they lose that quality, their value as a women greatly decreases in the eyes of