Who Is Responsible for Ophelia's Death?
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to one’s demise. In the context of the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare many possibilities can be identified that pertain to Ophelia’s sudden death. Ophelia’s death was triggered by her mental breakdown due to the loss of her father. In the midst of her inner turmoil, her depression worsens as she learns that Hamlet, the man she loves departs to England. When she dies, Gertrude reports her death to Claudius and Laertes. Gertrude, The Queen of Denmark, is responsible for Ophelia’s death. By looking at Gertrude’s over protective relationship with Hamlet, her lack of initiative on the situations around her in a time of tragedy, as well as her vivid account of Ophelia’s death, evidence that she is responsible for Ophelia’s death will be presented.
Gertrude’s overprotective relationship with Hamlet serves as a motive to commit the crime against Ophelia. In the play, after a meeting with the state, Gertrude tells Hamlet to stop acting too dramatic, “Good Hamlet, cast thy knighted colour off, And let thine eye look like a friend of Denmark; Do not for ever with thy vailed lids Seek for thy noble father in the dust; Thou know’st ‘tis common, all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity.” (Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 68-72)
It is plausible to say that Gertrude likes taking control of her son’s life. She tells Hamlet to stop acting like a child and orders him to get over the tragedy of his father’s death. Since Gertrude is constantly controlling her son, it is likely that she is biased to the love affair between Hamlet and Ophelia. As an overprotective mother, and current queen of Denmark at the time, it is possible that she disapproves of Ophelia simply because she is not of royal blood. As the plot of the play progresses, Ophelia eventually becomes deranged. A mother would disapprove of someone who is unstable to be
Gertrude’s overprotective relationship with Hamlet serves as a motive to commit the crime against Ophelia. In the play, after a meeting with the state, Gertrude tells Hamlet to stop acting too dramatic, “Good Hamlet, cast thy knighted colour off, And let thine eye look like a friend of Denmark; Do not for ever with thy vailed lids Seek for thy noble father in the dust; Thou know’st ‘tis common, all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity.” (Act 1, Scene 2, Lines 68-72)
It is plausible to say that Gertrude likes taking control of her son’s life. She tells Hamlet to stop acting like a child and orders him to get over the tragedy of his father’s death. Since Gertrude is constantly controlling her son, it is likely that she is biased to the love affair between Hamlet and Ophelia. As an overprotective mother, and current queen of Denmark at the time, it is possible that she disapproves of Ophelia simply because she is not of royal blood. As the plot of the play progresses, Ophelia eventually becomes deranged. A mother would disapprove of someone who is unstable to be