Ophelia Dynamic Character

In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Ophelia is a dynamic character; a young woman who is the daughter of Polonius, the King’s advisor. She falls in love with Hamlet, the prince of Denmark but is forbidden by her father to have a relationship with him. Her character changes significantly, from an in love positive young woman at the beginning of the play, to suicidal and lost after her fathers murder. One aspect of her character that doesn’t change is her obedience and her lack of ability to fight back. Ophelia’s lack of freedom and control over her own body, relationships and decisions keeps her from making choices that she believes is best for herself. Lack of empathy shown by the main male figures in her life causes her to feel reliant

She makes the decision to end her life as it the only decision that she believes she can make for herself.
Ophelia’s feelings are not taken into consideration when her father Polonius forces her to cut off all communication with the man she loves. Ophelia’s father Polonius is protective over his daughter because he believes that a daughter is property of her father until she is married. In Act 1 Scene 3 it is clear what Polonius intentions are: he is afraid that his daughter will tarnish his own reputation and isn’t as worried about her wellbeing. Ophelia’s brother Laertes has contrasting belief compared to the opinion of her father as he wants to ensure that she is happy and cares for her safety. It is shown quite evidently in the lines “Fear it, Ophelia. Fear it, my dear

Hamlet and Ophelia had a romantic relationship towards the beginning of the play but once Ophelia stops all contact with him, Hamlet realizes that there must be something secretive going on. Once Hamlet realizes that Ophelia is helping the King and Polonius spy on Hamlet he feels like Ophelia has betrayed him. He feels as if all woman are similar and releases his built up frustration on Ophelia. This built up hatred toward woman is caused by his mother marrying his uncle shortly after his father was murdered. His views of his mother is best described when he says:”She married. O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor it cannot come to good. But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” Hamlet begins by denying ever loving Ophelia, and Ophelia believes what he says. When he says "Get thee to a nunn'ry," the statement affects her quite severely due to being taught by her father that her worth was based upon her purity and Hamlet was referencing a brothel. But later once Hamlet discovers her death he confesses that this was all apart of his game, and that he did in fact love Ophelia. Rather than attempting to stand up for herself we see Ophelia fall back into her routine obedience and belief as she was taught by her father, that men, especially Hamlet were not to be trusted. This verbal abuse toward Ophelia is what pushes her toward her