Did Hamlet Really Love Ophelia Analysis

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In the play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, a commonly argued subject is whether or not Hamlet ever really loved Ophelia. Throughout the story, love is tainted and made questionable by the characters actions and their history. Gertrude and Claudius, the king and queen in the play, may have been married, but their “love” was unsupported by Hamlet who thought it to be a disgrace. Hamlet and Ophelia were not entirely supported either because of the age difference, and Hamlet’s intentions with Ophelia were also questioned. Hamlet and Ophelia have their issues just like any other couple, but ultimately love each other. Hamlet truly proves his love for Ophelia through his words, his actions, and his response to chaos.

In the beginning of the play, Hamlet, and Ophelia’s relationship was perfectly fine and no one questioned their love. Their age difference
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In his madness, he must keep the fact he really loves her a secret so that she cannot be used as a pawn against him. Hamlet was unaware that she was already being used in the drama overtaking the royal family. Once Hamlet realizes she is in danger, he quite rudely tells her to go to a nunnery, so she could be out of harm's way. Tragically, Ophelia had not known Hamlet was trying to protect her and drowning herself because Hamlet not showing her love anymore. Ophelia had many things to deal with at the time, such as her father dying, and Hamlet’s rejection that caused her to be depressed. Hamlet was unaware of her death when he arrived to her funeral ,and the real Hamlet that loved her broke down. Laertes was furious and blamed Hamlet for her death. Hamlet was completely distraught and confessed to everyone that he loved Ophelia. “I Loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers / could not, with all their quantity of love, / make up my sum” (5.1.262-264). Laertes’s denial of Hamlet’s love lead to their fencing match becoming grounds for foul