Comparing Ophelia And Hamlet

In many of William Shakespeare’s plays, women are depicted as strong-willed and powerful characters. However, Hamlet is quite the opposite. While Hamlet is depicted as a willful, intelligent hero, Ophelia is limned as compliant, silent, and is constantly manipulated by her father, brother, and fiancé. Even her brother, who is her peer, treats Ophelia as inferior and incapable of independent thought. Ophelia’s dialogue, or lack thereof, creates a monumental difference between herself and Hamlet. By using many different forms of language, Shakespeare is able to show the intricate character of Ophelia, as well as illuminate the striking differences between her character and Hamlet.
In Hamlet, Shakespeare expertly utilizes several functions of

In fact, she kowtows to every male character in the play: her father, her brother, and her fiancé. Not only is she compliant in her conversations, but she also demonstrates her compliance in her actions by agreeing to any request Polonius and Laertes make of her. A striking example of this passivity can be found in Act 1, Scene 3. Ophelia tells her father, “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.” “Marry, I will teach you,” is Polonius’ response, which represents a typical conversation involving Ophelia. This shows that her father does not regard her as independent enough to think for herself. Hamlet, however, is assertive, witty, and bold in his conversations with every other character in the play. Referencing Linda Bamber, Sandra K. Fisher wrote, “The tragic hero explains and justifies himself, he finds fault with himself, he insists on himself… In Ophelia’s discourse, these functions are completely externalized.” An example of this brazenness is shown in Hamlet’s insults during a conversation with Polonius, when he calls the king’s advisor a fishmonger (2.2.172), and again when he tells Ophelia to “get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.120). Hamlet is given plenty of opportunities to speak freely, whereas Ophelia is given