"Ophelia" by John MillaisOphelia is a character almost everyone feel sorry about. She is being bullied by her father, brother and Hamlet, the one that she thought to be in love with. At first, her father Polonius and brother Laertes insists her not to meet Hamlet, then Hamlet says he doesn't love her anymore and sends her to the nunnery. I think we all agree, it's a bit too harsh.
In my Ophelia is an important character, as she is one of the tragic elements in the play. She brings the play closer to the readers through her pain because of the ones she love, at some points her life seems to be a complete mess and she has no one to trust. We can draw parallels between Hamlet and Ophelia, they both have lost their fathers and both get crazy afterwards. Without her, they play would be bald, as she also brings romantic elements in.
The death of Ophelia is one of the main questions to think about - did she kill herself or was it an accident? Also, the way it is being told by Gertrude leaves me suspicious. After all that had happened in Ophelia's life, it wouldn't be a surprise if she really took her own life away, we don't know what was in her head at the moment she drowned, but we can imagine it. On the other hand, at the time of her death she was mad and maybe didn't realise what's happening so it was an accidental death.
There are lots of discussions to rise whether Ophelia is a needed character or whether she committed suicide or not, but I don't think there's only one right answer to those questions.
There are lots of discussions to rise whether Ophelia is a needed character or whether she committed suicide or not, but I don't think there's only one right answer to those questions.
1 comment:
Yes, she adds a romantic element. Does this help to heighten the tragedy? How? Yes, Gertrude's description of her death is odd. It's a romantic description, like the Millais painting. Is O the most tragic character in the play?
Post a Comment