The Morality Of Ophelia In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

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

After plotting his revenge, Hamlet attempts to use Ophelia in order to maintain an image of madness. Knowing that Ophelia will report to her father, Hamlet appears to her in a dismal state. He goes to her private room, “with a look so piteous in purport / As if he had been loosed out of hell / To speak of horrors” (2.1.80-82). When Polonius hears this he immediately devises a plan of his own. Polonius is more active than reactive, and his manipulation of Ophelia in order to investigate Hamlet’s madness serves a strategic purpose as he vies for favor with the King and Queen. Before this point, it may have been dangerous for Polonius to suggest that Hamlet loves Ophelia because of her lower social status. Now, Polonius has the opportunity to reveal the affections in hope that the King will favor him or allow the relationship which would also benefit him. Again, Ophelia displays her deference towards her father who does not once ask her how she feels about the

Each flower has meaning and if given to the right person, this scene shows that Ophelia is too aware to be truly mad. Laertes even makes the comment, “This nothing’s more than matter” (4.5.169); that her speech seems like nothing, but it is actually quite moving and revealing. Rosemary, for remembrance, may be intended for King Hamlet, as they should not forget about his death. They may also be intended for Laertes, as he is the last to speak before Ophelia. Pansies, for thought, are given to Hamlet because he is a thinker, not an actor. Rue, for repentance, can be given to the Queen and to herself. She says “you may wear your rue with a difference” (4.5.176-77), suggesting that they have different reasons to be repentant. Ophelia feels that she has failed her duties as a woman and so has the Queen by forgetting her husband or remarrying too quickly. Ophelia probably remembers her father’s advice to “Tender yourself more dearly, / Or - not to crack the wind of poor phrase, / Wronging it thus—you’ll tender me a fool” (1.3.106-8). If her earlier flowers suggested sexuality, then Ophelia knows she has shamed her family and self and needs to repent. The daisy, for dissemblance, is given to the King, who, after the play scene, shows that he may be hiding something. She says that violets, for faithfulness, withered when her father