Ophelia's Use Of Deception In Hamlet

681 Words2 Pages

Hamlet, a play of deceit and treachery. It takes place in Denmark and is about a young man who has returned home from his studies when he hears of the death of his father, when he arrives he finds his mother married his uncle and a ghost lurks in the castle, seeking revenge. This is one more addition to Shakespeare's large library of bloody stories. Not only does this play have bloodshed but also many individuals who are overcome with madness, some of whom seem to go mad for no apparent reason. Shakespeare uses trickery and mock-impressions to throw his characters through a whirlwind of a tragedy. I believe that the point of Shakespeare's avid use of deception and false appearances, is to not only trick the characters, but the reader's itself.

Shakespeare …show more content…

He is famous for his daring plots of revenge and subtle loving characters, that can relate to men and women through every time period. It is this relation that allows Shakespeare to fool the minds of his audience even as his play unfolds in an entirely different direction. In Act 3 Scene 1, Ophelia approaches Hamlet to try and grasp an understanding of his deranged state, and in this state Hamlet accuses Ophelia of being some part of the deceitful ploy that is in his mind. "God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another [...] and make your wantonness your ignorance." (3.1.146-149) This opens the subplot of Hamlet and Ophelia to more than a simple love story. Shakespeare uses this subtle imagery to place a seed of doubt in his audience opening their thoughts to the

Show More
Related

  • The Concept of Staying True in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

    977 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ophelia is a character in Hamlet that is chronically faithful to everyone else but herself. Ophelia is deeply in love with Hamlet, and she is certain that he loves her as well. This is clear from the assertions she makes in Hamlet’s defense: “My lord, he hath importuned me with love in honest fashion. And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, with almost all the holy vows of heaven” (1795). Ophelia’s downfall emerges when she doubts her own feelings and beliefs about Hamlet, upon instruction and advice from her brother and father. Ophelia, a confident and intelligent woman, begins to rely on others to tell her what to think and how to act. “I do not know, my lord, what I should think” (1795). Upon Polonius request, and going against her own hearts desires, she starts to avoid Hamlet. “No, my good lord, but, as you did command, I did repel his letters and denied his access to me” (1806). By doing what her father advises and wishes Ophelia is no longer capable of making decisions for herself. The loss of Hamlet’s love and the death of her father leave her with confusion and doubts about her future. “Well, Go...

    Read More

  • Ophelia as a Foil to Shakespeare's Hamlet

    870 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, the audience finds a docile, manipulated, scolded, victimized young lady named Ophelia. Ophelia is a foil to Hamlet. Plays have foils to help the audience better understand the more important characters in the play.  The character of Ophelia is necessary so that the audience will give Hamlet a chance to get over his madness and follow his heart.

    Read More

  • Hamlet And Ophelia Analysis

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    The story of Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is considered to be a perplexing play as the many subplots twist, turn, and unfold. The relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia is conceivably the most widely discussed topic as countless theories are developed throughout the story. It is a tragedy, of many sorts, that Hamlet and Ophelia are not able to display their love for each other,

    Read More

  • Does Hamlet Really Love Ophelia Research Paper

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” is full of intrigue. Is there really a ghost? Does Hamlet truly go mad? And where in the world did the pirates come from? Yet, even with all these questions, the most compelling is whether Hamlet truly loves Ophelia. One of the most iconic romantic relationship ever to be penned, and the love is still questionable. Does he really love her? Before the argument can be continued, the definition of romantic love which is used throughout must first be defined. It is a simple beauty— Love is caring for someone more than yourself. If held to this standard, Hamlet does not truly love Ophelia by the end of the play, though he may have loved her a some point. By the end of the play, where once existed some form of love for

    Read More

  • Turning Points In Hamlet

    473 Words  | 1 Pages

    When you come across his life with women he becomes very annoyed. He truly cares about Ophelia and Gertrude but at the same time he is also curious as well. He is upset at the fact that his mother remarried to his uncle in such a speedy process. He believes that she didn't truly love is father as much as she appeared to. When it comes to Ophelia as you start to understand their relationship you can begin to tell that he has been flirting with her for awhile. When Hamlet starts to become crazy you start to realize that he believes that Ophelia may be working with Polonius and his mother and uncle. Ophelia listened to her dad over anyone else. Hamlet begins to believe that both of the women in his life are not who he made them out to

    Read More

  • The Morality Of Ophelia In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1927 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ophelia has limited opportunities as a woman in a patriarchal society and this is what separates her from Hamlet, who has the freedom to change his own fate. Ophelia needs to be obedient and is not allowed to express herself and her true feelings. What happens in her life is determined by the whims of the men who control her. She is obedient to her father and brother and also to the king, and although she tries to do what is right, she is often pulled along by these men. Unlike Hamlet, who can act according to his own will and speak his mind as he wants, Ophelia must find an alternative to express herself. The only out that she sees is in hysteria and eventually death. As a mad woman, Ophelia would not be bound by the societal restrictions

    Read More

  • The Abuse of Ophelia in "Hamlet"

    639 Words  | 2 Pages

    The story of Hamlet is a morbid tale of tragedy, commitment, and manipulation; this is especially evident within the character of Ophelia. Throughout the play, Ophelia is torn between obeying and following the different commitments that she has to men in her life. She is constantly torn between the choice of obeying the decisions and wishes of her family or that of Hamlet. She is a constant subject of manipulation and brain washing from both her father and brother. Ophelia is not only subject to the torture of others using her for their intentions but she is also susceptible to abuse from Hamlet. Both her father and her brother believe that Hamlet is using her to achieve his own personal goals.

    Read More

  • Hamlet Movie Vs Movie Comparison

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout Shakespeare 's play it is clear that Ophelia and Hamlet were lovers but it is not entire certainty whether Hamlet loved Ophelia at the present time. His declaration of love in the written play could have been seen as an indication of his madness. In the film version Hamlet is seen hiding in the bushes while Ophelia 's funeral begins and once he discovers it is her he is overcome with grief to the point where Horatio has to hold him back (Hamlet). The pain on Hamlet 's face is apparent as well as his sanity. Another example of their relationship is in act 3 scene 1 after Hamlet finished his soliloquy he says the line “the fair Ophelia” (Shakespeare 4.1.97) while reading the play I assumed he said this line when he addressed her, and that he was pleasant to her until his madness took over and he became rude. In Doran’s adaptation however Hamlet spoke the line “the fair Ophelia” before she even saw him, he was speaking to himself with a tone of love and affection. Additionally, Hamlet remained pleasant to her until he turned and noticed the security camera (Hamlet). It was only then that Hamlet began to act mad and unpleasant towards Ophelia. This version gave a new depth to Hamlet’s madness and strengthens the idea that he was simply

    Read More

  • Theme Of Forbidden Love In Hamlet

    1198 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hamlet is intense, and immensely rude; while speaking alone, he says, “ you should not have believed me: for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it: loved you not” III,iL.122. Hamlet is dishonest of his emotions as he shows no signs of love or respect towards Ophelia, especially while alone, this being because of him forcefully staying in the closet. This secrecy causes his actions hurt to Ophelia. She is ultimately being used as a beard, which is evident, because he speaks towards her in an unkindly manner in private. Along with this, Hamlet shows great deal of affection while in the public eye. This is shown when following Ophelia’s passing. While in front people, as well as her loved ones, he says, “I loved Ophelia; Forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love,” V,iL.263. He confesses a false statement proclaiming his love for Ophelia in front of a large group of people. This is done in hopes of convincing any doubt of his sexuality to the public.Something to take into consideration, is the fact that their relationship never advances. This could possibly be due to the fact that he is a homosexual and does not want to make Ophelia his bride. The last words spoken to her in the script are, “It

    Read More

  • Female Role In Ophelia

    1067 Words  | 3 Pages

    The reader is left guessing on Hamlet’s true feelings for Ophelia through his various insults, sexual innuendos, and admitted desire. Hamlet’s claim, “God hath given you one face, and you / Make yourselves another.” (3.1.155-156) is laced with irony and hypocrisy given Hamlet’s own deception regarding true feelings. This proclamation comes at the end of a lengthy tirade against Ophelia and womankind in general for their conniving deceit leading men astray. The fact that Hamlet cannot see this duplicity in his very own actions shows the double standard he holds for females. Ophelia’s immediate reaction is one of shock and defense due to the aggressive nature of Hamlet’s attack. She calls out “O, woe is me!” (3.1.174) in distress to the ferocity of Hamlet and is unable to form a particularly coherent response akin to the ones seen against Laertes and Polonius. She does show her intelligence and rebellion from this assumption of power by Hamlet in her songs while Hamlet is gone. While many attribute her madness to the death of her father, a large portion of her instability should be attributed to Hamlet and his earlier actions. In her first introduction as insane she sings, “And I a maid at your window, / To be your Valentine. / Then up he rose and donned his clothes / And dropped the chamber door, / Let in the maid, that out a maid / Never departed more.” (4.5.55-60). Due to her references to sexuality and deceit the

    Read More

  • The Innocence of Gertrude and Ophelia in William Shakespeare's Hamlet

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Pretty Ophelia,” as Claudius calls her, is the most innocent victim of Hamlet’s revenge in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Hamlet has fallen in love with Ophelia after the death of his father. Ophelia “sucked the honey of his music vows” and returned Hamlet’s affection. But when her father had challenged Hamlet’s true intentions, Ophelia could only say: “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.” Ophelia was used to relying on her father’s directions and she was also brought up to be obedient. This allowed her to only accept her father’s views that Hamlet’s attention towards her was only to take advantage of her and to obey her father’s orders not to permit Hamlet to see her again.

    Read More

  • Madness and Insanity in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet's relationship and actions towards Ophelia are not exempt from his dual personalities. In private, he is deeply devoted to her; but in public, he humiliates and belittles her...

    Read More

  • The Tragedy of Lady Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1356 Words  | 3 Pages

    Melancholy, grief, and madness pervade Shakespeare's great tragedy, Hamlet.  The emotional maladies presented within Hamlet, not only allow the audience to sympathize with prince Hamlet, but also with the tragic lady Ophelia as well.  It is Ophelia who suffers at her lover's discretion because of decisions she was obligated to make on behalf of her weak societal position.

    Read More

  • The Ultimate Peripeteia in Hamlet

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first major action of the third act is the arranged meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia.  During this meeting, Hamlet seems to turn on Ophelia, denying that he ever loved her.  This apparent reversal of feelings towards Ophelia may appear as a peripeteia at first, but under closer examination will prove to be a continuation of Hamlet's pretense of madness. Hamlet is aware that Ophelia is being used to draw out information from him about the source of his insanity. This becomes evident when Hamlet inquires where Ophelia's father is. At the end of his soliloquy, Hamlet comments on Ophelia's beauty as he sees her approach.  This illustrates that he still has affection for her, but in his current state o...

    Read More

  • The Analysis of the Character Ophelia on Hamlet

    1284 Words  | 3 Pages

    Two of Ophelia’s difficulties arise from her father and brother. They believe that Hamlet is using her to take her virginity and throw it away because Ophelia will never be his wife. Her heart believes that Hamlet loves her although he promises he never has (“Hamlet” 1). Hamlet: “Ay, truly, for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness. This was sometime a paradox, but not the time gives it proof. I did love you once.” Ophelia: “Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.” Hamlet: “You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock ...

    Read More

More about Ophelia's Use Of Deception In Hamlet

Open Document