Development of Ophelia in Hamlet Essay

William Shakespeare in the play settlement develops the theatrical role of Ophelia in three unique stages. initially, Ophelia is portrayed as a common and obedient character. As the play progresses, she falls madly in jockey and ultimately goes insane. Ophelia progresses in a negatively charged direction as the plot of the play moves on.In the beginning of the play Ophelia is depicted as the normal, obedient daughter. Laertes explains to Ophelia that even if Hamlet says he discerns her, he may not be telling the truth. After Laertes speaks, Ophelia respects the personal know directge on relationships that he has to offer. Ophelia accepts his speech and shall the effect of this good lesson keep as watchman to her shopping center (I, III, 48-49). Ophelia listened to Laertes advice and obediently accepts his guidance. Moments later Ophelias father, Polonius, requests that Ophelia stop beholding Hamlet. In response, Ophelia says, I shall obey, my Lord (I, III, 140). Polonius wo rd appears to be of importance when Ophelia responds in such a compliant manner. Primarily, Ophelia is interpreted as a elegant teenage girl, however this depiction soon changes.Although Laertes and Polonius try to steer Ophelia in the right direction, she ends up falling almost irrationally in cacoethes with Hamlet. Ophelias utter obedience leaves her vulnerable to the abuse of Hamlet, who accuses her of being faithless and deceptive. Ophelia claims that Hamlet took her by the wrist and held her hard (II, I, 97). Although Hamlet physically abuses Ophelia, her love for him is stronger than him mistreating her. While Hamlet tells Ophelia that his love for her has departed, she is in utter shock and dismay. Ophelia responds with O heavenly powers, restore him (III, I, 153). Ophelia cannot believe that Hamlet no longer loves her and wishes that he would love her again once more. Her love is clearly consuming her every(prenominal) thought. Although Hamlet no longer loves Ophelia she cannot accept or cope with this populace and the stress ultimately leads to her shoemakers last.After Ophelia realizes that Hamlet no longer has feelings for her, she goes insane. Ophelia sings a vulgar song about a maiden who is tricked into losing her virginity with a ridiculous promise of marriage. While Ophelia is prancing around singing her outrageous song, she relates her song to Hamlet. Ophelia says, Quoth she, originally you tumbled me, you promised me to wed (IV,V,62-63). Ophelia felt that they were going to get married and she believed that Hamlet was for sure going to propose to her. Later, Ophelia fell into the water and drowned. The Queen speaks up and says, manger that her garments, heavy with their drink, pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay to muddy demise (IV,VII,196-198). Rather than trying to save herself, she passively let herself drown because she didnt care to continue living without Hamlet. In the end, Ophelias emotions controlled her, and the se negative emotions led to her demise.Ophelia develops over the course of the play in a number of ways. Initially she is obedient and normal, and later turns into a girl controlled by love and last she commits suicide. Ophelia is a dynamic character that changes throughout the play. Her blind passion for Hamlet causes her to lose the ability to think or act rationally. Life, to her, is meaningless without him, and she chooses death over life. Ophelia surely progressed through the play in a negative manner.