Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Hamlet's feelings for Ophelia

Personally, I think Hamlet never really loved Ophelia, but that he lusted her or maybe thought he loved her. Hamlet puts a whole lot more thought into the 12-16 lines for play that Hamlet believes might incrimate Claudius then in the love letter he wrote to Ophelia in Act 2.2 lines 116-127. I think he wanted Ophelia to think he loved her, otherwise he have spent more time on expressing his feelings. Besides, like Polonius told Ophelia, Hamlet can't be sure he would even be allowed to marry Ophelia because it would have to be the best option for all of Denmark, not just himself. Another thing to consider is the fact that if Hamlet is pretending to be mad, as I believe he is, then I believe he would have found away to tell Ophelia what he was going to do, so she wouldn't offended or hurt. If he really loves her she will never want to speak to him after how he has acted towards her since he went "mad". Either he is in love and stupid because he thinks Ophelia is just going to forgive him when it is all over, or he never really loved her and Laertes and Polonius were right back in Act 1.3, which is what I believe is the case. It is a good thing Ophelia promised to obey her father and kept that promise.

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