Skip to main content

Does Hamlet Love Ophelia?


I lov'd Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers
Could not (with all their quantity of love)
Make up my sum.

Really? Is it true that Hamlet loves Ophelia so much that he would do anything (including eating a crocodile) for her? I don't think so.

Well, okay, perhaps he does love her, to some extent, but not that much.
"Eat a crocodile? I'll do't." Would you, really?

We first know that there is something between Hamlet and Ophelia when she talks with her brother about it and Laertes, as a good and loving brother, warns her about the danger of loving a prince, because “his will is not his own; For he himself is subject to his birth...for on his choice depends/ The safety and health of this whole state.”

Talking about duty before pleasure, I think Hamlet extremely exploits Ophelia to ensure people of his madness. He plays with Polonius' mind, and subsequently, although not much, the king and queen's minds and assures them that his madness results from his unrequited love to Ophelia. It's part of the plan. That's very clear. Now that's very cruel. It's not that cruel from Hamlet's point of view, of course, because at that point he believes that all women are frail and they are “breeders of sinners.” From that standpoint, “get thee to a nunnery” scene doesn't look very evil to me, although it does look sad.

What I'm trying to say is, although maybe Hamlet has this kind of “love-hate” feelings towards Ophelia, he still thinks his “revenge” business more important. I can't blame him for that, and Ophelia too, being such an obedient daughter, might have pushed Hamlet even further to believe that women are not to be trusted. But to claim that he loves Ophelia so much.. No, I don't believe it, as I truly doubt that “the sun doth move.”

Fine, perhaps one day I will tell you what I think about Hamlet's famous 4-lines poem. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Say It Like Shakespeare: “I don't understand.”

Have you ever wanted to say “I don't get it” without making yourself look stupid? Shakespeare is your solution. Firstly, if your friend knows Shakespeare, he would think you're cool. If he's not Shakespeare-literate, you still sound great. Well, here's some help. “I understand the fury in your words, but not your words.” - Desdemona, Othello Othello was full of wrath, and Desdemona innocently said this like, “Calm down, Honey. I don't know what you're talking about.” 'Fury' means super ARRGHHHH! type of anger, not the Greek furies, though the word was probably derived from that. But hey, why not calling your frienemy a Fury anyway? It's like, “Hey Bro, you act like a monster and I still don't understand any word you say.” “More matter with less art.” - Gertrude, Hamlet Polonius was going down the rabbit hole explaining Hamlet and Ophelia's love story in superfluous lines. The Queen wanted it quick, so, “Stop all the fuss and say ...
2 comments
Read more

Problems with Translating Shakespeare

I've found several articles regarding this on the net. I'm new to the Shakespeare world, therefore I didn't know much about the translation issue. In the net, there are "study guides" for Shakespeare, such as No Fear Shakespeare which provides students with modern English translation of William Shakespeare. I bet students will find it highly useful, especially those who are not well-acquainted with plays or old classical literatures or writings in verse. Apart from that, I am also aware that there are modern English editions of Shakespeare available in book stores. (I know that accidentally, because I found some quotes on Goodreads which convey Shakespeare's ideas but not in his exact words.) On the other hand, there are people like David Crystal , which I highly respect (truly I love everything he says about Shakespeare's words and also original pronunciation), who insists that no translation is needed in understanding Shakespeare. There is even a de...
1 comment
Read more

Henry V: Self-Punishment on the Death of Bardolph

Prince Hal, and later, the king, Henry V is a complex character with volumes to think, say, and analyse about. Following his character development from Henry IV part 1 through Henry V, it's hard not to relate to him when one comes to what people call 'conflict of interests.' For me, the worst part of it in Henry V is when he heard that his (former) friend, Bardolph, had been executed for thievery. In many productions, the directors let Henry either see the execution, or at least the hanged man. Kenneth Branagh and Hollow Crown versions even take time for a little flashback, therefore show us that the king remembered Bardolph and all things they had done together in their former days. Both also, through acting, show that the king was sad about it, yet could do nothing. Reading the play, however, it was quite shocking that the king made no comment upon the hanging, except that it was just and necessary. Why didn't he say anything about it? Knowing Shakespeare, he co...
Post a Comment
Read more