Essay about Did Hamlet Love Ophelia

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Pages: 6
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Matthew Sandoval Sandoval 1
Professor: Jamie F. Wheeler
ENGL 1302.S17
Date 2/4/12
Did Hamlet Love Ophelia?
Although some scholars argue that Hamlet has a concise story, it is filled with many uncertainties relating to Hamlet. One of which is Hamlet love for Ophelia, despite some argue otherwise, the evidence provides that the Prince truly did love Ophelia. The word “love” is a powerful one, both in real life, and in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It is often a confusing concept, made even harder to grasp when one of the lovers repeatedly changes his/her mind (Hanson, 16). In Hamlet's case, his feelings towards Ophelia veer from love, to never loved, to always love. This cycle of emotions is due to Hamlet feigning …show more content…
Ophelia answers and tells Hamlet that Polonius is at home, suddenly Hamlet answers “Let the doors be shut upon him that he may play the fool nowhere but in‘s own house” (3.1.143-44). Hamlet implies that he knows Polonius has I eye on them and something is going to throw down. It is upon Act 5 where the affections for Hamlet and Ophelia are decided. The full faith where there are no hesitation of Hamlet’s intense love for Ophelia (Holland, 11). It is Ophelia’s funeral, and Hamlet confronts Laertes upon a test of their love for her. It was
Sandoval 4 to this challenge that Hamlet declares, “I loved Ophelia; Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantities of love make up my sum” (5.1.261-264). It was especially difficult for Hamlet to talk to Ophelia. The only other woman in his life, Gertrude, has betrayed his father by marrying Claudius. This in fact, betrays Hamlet as well. Hamlet may be obsessed with the idea that all women are evil. Although there have been scenes in which there is the possibility of skepticism, my impression is that Hamlet did in fact, love Ophelia. His claims of affection and his bitter reaction to her denial prove his feelings of love. Although Shakespeare may not have made it excessively clear, the popular belief supports Hamlet’s love for Ophelia. So indeed, Hamlet did love Ophelia, and the evidence is also in the play that she did love the prince. When Laertes tells
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