Did Hamlet Love Ophelia
Matthew Sandoval Sandoval 1
Professor: Jamie F. Wheeler
ENGL 1302.S17
Date 2/4/12
Did Hamlet Love Ophelia?
Although some scholars argue that Hamlet has a concise story, it is filled with many uncertainties relating to Hamlet. One of which is Hamlet love for Ophelia, despite some argue otherwise, the evidence provides that the Prince truly did love Ophelia. The word “love” is a powerful one, both in real life, and in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It is often a confusing concept, made even harder to grasp when one of the lovers repeatedly changes his/her mind (Hanson, 16). In Hamlet's case, his feelings towards Ophelia veer from love, to never loved, to always love. This cycle of emotions is due to Hamlet feigning madness. Hamlet is trying to throw off people with his madness so he can be with Ophelia. In this time period in which Hamlet claimed to Ophelia that he never loved her, was that in which his rage at his uncle was constantly increasing. Although Hamlet denies his love for Ophelia, it is possible to realize that he never stopped loving her. Sandoval 2
Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is first introduced to the reader by Ophelia herself, “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me.”(1.3.45). Hamlet has corresponded with Ophelia and demonstrated the love he feels for her. Even at this point in the play, Hamlet, without even having been seen around Ophelia, seems to be a bit distant. This distance could be due to Hamlet’s forces between him and Ophelia is in part due to the fact that her brother and father are so overly protective of her. Ophelia claims that Hamlet has confirmed his love for her “with almost all the holy vows of heaven” (1.3.123). Ophelia’s words that he does love her in this first act are extremely important when looking at the play as a whole because they allow the reader to understand Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia (Romanska, 145). Ophelia’s statement shows that Hamlet has talked to her about
Professor: Jamie F. Wheeler
ENGL 1302.S17
Date 2/4/12
Did Hamlet Love Ophelia?
Although some scholars argue that Hamlet has a concise story, it is filled with many uncertainties relating to Hamlet. One of which is Hamlet love for Ophelia, despite some argue otherwise, the evidence provides that the Prince truly did love Ophelia. The word “love” is a powerful one, both in real life, and in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It is often a confusing concept, made even harder to grasp when one of the lovers repeatedly changes his/her mind (Hanson, 16). In Hamlet's case, his feelings towards Ophelia veer from love, to never loved, to always love. This cycle of emotions is due to Hamlet feigning madness. Hamlet is trying to throw off people with his madness so he can be with Ophelia. In this time period in which Hamlet claimed to Ophelia that he never loved her, was that in which his rage at his uncle was constantly increasing. Although Hamlet denies his love for Ophelia, it is possible to realize that he never stopped loving her. Sandoval 2
Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is first introduced to the reader by Ophelia herself, “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me.”(1.3.45). Hamlet has corresponded with Ophelia and demonstrated the love he feels for her. Even at this point in the play, Hamlet, without even having been seen around Ophelia, seems to be a bit distant. This distance could be due to Hamlet’s forces between him and Ophelia is in part due to the fact that her brother and father are so overly protective of her. Ophelia claims that Hamlet has confirmed his love for her “with almost all the holy vows of heaven” (1.3.123). Ophelia’s words that he does love her in this first act are extremely important when looking at the play as a whole because they allow the reader to understand Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia (Romanska, 145). Ophelia’s statement shows that Hamlet has talked to her about
Cited: MLA. 1. HANSON, ELIZABETH. "Fellow Students: Hamlet, Horatio, And The Early Modern University." Shakespeare Quarterly 62.2 (2011): 205-229. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. 2. Romanska, Magda. "Ontology And Eroticism: Two Bodies Of Ophelia." Women 's Studies 34.6 (2005): 485-513. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. 3. McCormick, Frank J. "Eliot 's THE LOVE SONG OF J. ALFRED PRUFROCK And Shakespeare 's HAMLET." Explicator 63.1 (2004): 43-47. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Mar. 2012 4. Habib, Imtiaz. "`Never Doubt I Love ': Misreading Hamlet." College Literature 21.2 (1994): 19. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Mar. 2012. 5. Holland, Peter. "Shakespeare Performances In England, 1992-1993." Shakespeare Survey 47.(1994): 181. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. 6. "To Man From Mankind 's Heart." Time 76.1 (1960): 62. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Mar. 2012.