By Tan Kabra April 29th, 2009 Why Countries Go To War There are many reasons why countries go to war. After the deed is done, Hamlet realizes that he has killed Polonius, the king's adviser and the father of his beloved Ophelia. Analyse the character of … i. IN Hamlet why did Ophelia go mad and kill herself? Why does she go mad? On the one hand, she is loyal to her father. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. The placement of the priest's admonition supports the suicide pretty solidly. Near the end of Act IV, Ophelia goes mad and is found dead, from drowning, this symbolizes the death of the kingdom and can be seen as the corruptness that occurs throughout the kingdom and symbolizes the hatred within. Start studying Hamlet acts 4,5. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Is Ophelia driven mad by her love for Hamlet, or is she the victim of a society that … A naive, unstable creature, Ophelia lacks the maturity and strength of character to be able to reconcile these two conflicting imperatives. Why Does Ophelia Go Mad? When the life of Polonius goes away, so does the sanity of Ophelia. He was wearing his shirt open, had a sock all folded down, grabbed Ophelia and stared longingly at her, sighed deeply, and stared at her all his way out the door. Unlike Laertes, Hamlet, and Fortinbras who have the option to revenge their fathers' death, Ophelia, cannot take revenge on Hamlet, because in the time period the play was written, it was improper for women to do so. All rights reserved. Laertes warns her that Hamlet, the heir to the throne of Denmark, does not have the freedom to marry whomever he wants.Ophelia's father, Polonius, who enters while Laertes is leaving, also forbids Ophelia from pursuing Hamlet, as Polonius fears that Hamlet is not earnest about her. The character of Ophelia has fascinated directors, actresses, writers and painters since she first appeared on stage. Why does Ophelia go mad? She is torn in two by the dictates of filial piety and reasons of the heart. The placement of the priest's admonition supports the suicide pretty solidly. The mad scenes in Hamlet show Ophelia as a complimentary character of Hamlet. In common with most fathers of the time Polonius puts his daughter on a pedestal, idealizing her as a pure, unsullied virgin whose honor and integrity must be defended against all threats. Nothing. He was wearing his shirt open, had a sock all folded down, grabbed Ophelia and stared longingly at her, sighed deeply, and stared at her all his way out the door. Alone for a moment while Horatio and the Gentleman go to get Ophelia, the Queen reveals why she doesn't want to speak to Ophelia. She is basically trapped between the expectations of her father and brother... See full answer below. Become a Study.com member to unlock this With the loss of her father, brother, and her lover all extremely close together is enough to make anyone go mad I suppose. Polonius is the first to declare him mad, and he thinks it is because Ophelia has repelled his love. How does Ophelia come to believe that Hamlet is mad? Why Countries Go to War. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. The essay also contains follow-up questions for further analysis. How do the flowers Ophelia distributes relate to the characters and their actions? In Ophelia's first speaking appearance in the play, she is seen with her brother, Laertes, who is leaving for France. Ophelia has a difficult time dealing with her father's death, and ultimately ends up going mad because she can't cope with it. Ophelia is torn between two competing impulses. 145-150). 31 - 40 of 500 . What is the importance of the gravedigger scene in the story of. Hamlet spends much of his time pretending to be mad, that he starts to believe that he really is insane. Hamlet has visited Ophelia and acted strangely. Read this English Essay and over 89,000 other research documents. Explain the significance of Hamlet's soliloquy in act 2, scene 2 of William Shakespeare's. Shakespeare created many great women, and they were of many types. Think about the topics below and write an essay about them. Being devastated from the passing of her father, Ophelia realizes that she has no one in her life anymore. So why did Ophelia do it? Why does Ophelia go mad? 6 Answers. She says "To my sick soul, as sin's true nature is, / Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss" (4.5.17-18). Here, at the beginning of Act IV, scene v, things have palpably darkened for the nation: Hamlet is gone, Polonius is dead and has been buried in secret, Ophelia is raving mad, and, as Claudius tells us, the common people are disturbed and murmuring among themselves. Symbols seen throughout the play, are madness and death. Polonius, (later found to be a two face in act two) banishes her allowance to see Hamlet. Why does Ophelia come to see her father in the middle of ACT II, SCENE 1? Relevance ~@ poizon sting @~ 1 decade ago. How does Ophelia die? 20 Votes) Hamlet fools Ophelia into believing that he is mad by killing Polonium behind a curtain in the Gertrude's room. Is Ophelia driven mad by her love for Hamlet, or is she the victim of a society that … Ophelia goes mad in Hamlet because her father, Polonius, was murdered by Hamlet. How does Ophelia die? Did Hamlet Love Ophelia. Ophelia drowns herself in despair because of the many pressures on her. In Hamlet, the protagonist Hamlet discovers that his father was killed by his uncle, Claudius. Think about the topics below and write an essay about them. So critics go far in explaining this to suggest that when Ophelia dies she is pregnant with Hamlet?s baby and that is why she kills herself. Why didn't Hamlet kill Claudius when he had the chance at the end of act 3, scene 3? The emotions of losing two important things in her life overtake her because of her age and the result is madness. Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius as he prays (III.iii)? 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How do both Polonius and Ophelia interpret Hamlet’s visit? Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to go "to a nunnery," and what does he give as his reason? Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. We know he wears black (an inky cloak, for example), but that doesn’t mean much. Ophelia goes mad in Hamlet because her father, Polonius, was murdered by Hamlet. Horatio tells her. Polonius reads a letter to Claudius and Gertrude, and Ophelia overhears it. ©2021 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. However, Hamlet plays the role of a mad man while Ophelia really goes mad. Ophelai is seen as “…a cult figure embodying their own turbulent hopes,” (Romanska 485). Her death can be viewed as a suicide which is what I had originally thought, but now after reading what you wrote, it can be viewed as Ophelia seriously becoming mad from all the tragedy she faced all at once. Many theorists and critics focus on Ophelia’s relationship with … Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius right away? By Tan Kabra April 29th, 2009 Why Countries Go To War There are many reasons why countries go to war. Why is Hamlet so thoroughly disgusted by her in Act III, Scene iv? Here Elaine Showalter discusses Ophelia's madness as a particularly female malady, showing how from Shakespeare's day to our own Ophelia has been used both to reflect and to challenge evolving ideas about female psychology and sexuality. 2.3 In a situation set up by her father, Ophelia talks to Hamlet for the first time in weeks. How might this be proven? Ophelia went mad because of the death mad because of the death of her father. Matthew Sandoval Sandoval 1 Professor: Jamie F. Wheeler ENGL 1302.S17 Date 2/4/12 Did Hamlet Love Ophelia? He is cold, … No one knows exactly why Ophelia went mad, but the most popular idea is that her father’s death caused it based on how she talks/sings about him in her state of madness. The emotions of losing two important things in her life overtake her because of her age and the result is madness. Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to go "to a nunnery," and what does he give as his reason? In Hamlet, why did Ophelia drown herself? Already a member? Why has Ophelia gone mad? ii. After her father’s murder she talks a lot of death, and her madness is apparent when she sings in a completely crazed way. Why Did Ophelia Go Mad? Does Hamlet consider suicide? The significance of Ophelia’s madness is to signify her losing two of the most important men in her life, Polonius and Hamlet. Why is Hamlet so cruel to Ophelia? Favorite Answer. "Why Does Ophelia Go Mad" Essays and Research Papers . In Hamlet, the protagonist Hamlet discovers that his father was killed by his uncle, Claudius. Without a single word from Hamlet, Ophelia believes that his madness is due to her rejection. Hamlet accidentally murders Polonius during his first attempt to kill Claudius which leads to Ophelia to become mad herself. Create your account. 158.) Hamlet tells Ophelia to go to a nunnery, "Get thee to a nunn'ry, why woulds't thou be a breeder of sinners?" 4.1/5 (378 Views. The events leading up to the killing of Polonius was not a surprise at all, because Hamlet wnated to be with ophelius and Polonius was always kind of the third party who tryed to keep Hamlet away from his daughter. While confronting his mother for marrying his uncle, Hamlet hears someone calling for help. Choose the correct answer: He enters her room as she is sewing; his clothes are dishevelled, and his look is piteous. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Why Countries Go to War. We know he wears black (an inky cloak, for example), but that doesn’t mean much. -Hamlet believes that Laertes's grief is showy and exaggerated. Latest answer posted January 05, 2013 at 10:26:06 PM, Latest answer posted March 26, 2016 at 5:20:03 PM, Latest answer posted August 03, 2015 at 4:41:52 AM, Latest answer posted June 17, 2018 at 3:30:07 AM, Latest answer posted February 28, 2012 at 12:52:54 PM. Ophelia's view that Hamlet has gone mad for love of her is of no value on the point. 41 - 50 of 500 . Why does Ophelia go mad? Do you feel any sympathy for Claudius in this scene, or is he presented as a callous murderer? Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius right away? He tells her that this will be the best place for her and, by being a nun, Ophelia won't have children and produce wicked men like his uncle. Why does Ophelia go mad (insane)? Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree, Get access to this video and our entire Q&A library. First off Ophelia has relationship problems with Hamlet and her father, Polonius. Ophelia’s whole world is shattered after her father dies, because of her previous conflicting loyalties to her father (who had never approved of Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia) and Hamlet now having killed him. He is cold, … Secondly, her father, Polonius, is accidentally murdered by Hamlet. Update: fun you kidding me its hard to understand its so long.. Answer Save. Critical Essay entitled “Ophelia - why does she go mad?”, to allow students to dig deeper into the topic, with a particular focus on comparing Hamlet’s feigned madness with Ophelia’s “real” madness. 92 ), and his look is piteous overtake her because of many... Disgusted by her in act two ) banishes her allowance to see her father, Ophelia comes into scene... Could argue that he starts to believe that he is sane for the entire duration of the death mad of. Right away no one in her life anymore that his father was by... Into the scene with Gertrude and Claudius to have any kids because all are. 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