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Theme Of Ophelia's Flaws In Hamlet

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Shakespeare plays Hamlet displays the character flaws of Hamlet, Ophelia, and Claudius and their downfall. Hamlet’s inability to take action leads him his demise, Ophelia follows her father and brother decisions, and Claudius is an antagonist who let his greed of power control him. Shakespeare displays that every character falls victims to their own flaws, but in the play, Hamlet, Ophelia, and Claudius stand out in the play. Especially in Shakespeare other tragic plays, he shows how their flaws are their own demise. For example, in the play Macbeth, Macbeth’s
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Ophelia is widely known for her psychosis and eventual death in the Shakespeare play, “Hamlet”. Her character is referenced in many forms of artwork, particularly her death. Probably the most iconic painting of her demise is the painting, “Ophelia”, by John Everett Millais. The oil on canvas painting depicts Ophelia lying in the river surrounded the flowers she had been picking before she drowned. In this project, however instead of showing Ophelia’s corpse in the water, the painting depicts the water in her corpse.

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“The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget,” [Thomas Szasz]. In William Shakespeare’s classic, “Hamlet,” Ophelia’s naivety presents issues because she blindly obeys her superiors, is not aware of what is happening around her and is quick to “forgive and forget.” Though some may argue otherwise, this major flaw is proven throughout the book with examples of how she is obedient, oblivious, and impressionable. Without these attributes, Ophelia could be able to stand up for herself, have a solid stance on important issues, and protect herself from getting hurt.

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Emily Dickinson once said “Much madness is divinest Sense— To a discerning Eye—“. This type of madness can be found in the play “Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Though many characters show madness throughout the play, Ophelia’s madness is the most prevalent. Ophelia has good reason for this irrational behavior because of the trauma she has gone through. First, her boyfriend dumps her, then he calls her vulgar names, and lastly, he kills her father.

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Hamlet repeatedly acknowledges his faults, most precisely to her. In conversation, he tells Ophelia how he is guilty of such terrible things that he shouldn’t have been born, and that he proud, revengeful, and ambitious (3.1.132-135). Hamlet is fully telling her his faults and that, while being scathing towards her, he is no better. Even after her death, he continues to express his flaws around her presence. This is seen at her funeral, for which he says to her brother, Laertes, “For though I am splenitive and rash, I have in me something dangerous, which let thy wisdom fear,” (5.1.275-276).

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The story of Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a story of betrayal, revenge, and intrigue. Hamlet, the title character discovers that his uncle killed his father and married his mother effectively stealing the throne. Hamlet decides he must kill his uncle Claudius as revenge for what he had done. However, as the new king, Hamlet isn't sure how to get to him, so he decides to fake madness, but his plan backfires as Claudius doesn't trust him and makes sure he is always watched. In his fumbled plan for revenge, Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, forces Polonius's son Laertes to seek revenge against him, and drives Ophelia crazy causing her to kill herself.

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Helpless. The characters around Ophelia's life treat her as an infant who can't make any decisions on her own. The men in specific, look at her as a mere puppet. Her father and brother guide her to make the choices they see fit and she follows their advice even if she disagrees with it.

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Hamlet's detrimental characteristics, lead to killing several people in the play, which Ophelia dies from suicide, accidently killing Polonius, also he kills Claudius out of revenge. For instance, Hamlet’s murder of Polonius might have had some melodramatic shock value. Despite, a murderer of his father, killing someone out of dispute is depravity and immature, “ hamlet kills Polonius, mistaking him for Claudius…” However, Hamlet's obstacle in life gave him excuse to not take responsibility and disregard his moral standing. Although, Hamlet took irrational action against Polonius through impulse, unintentionally kills him, yet does not feel remorseful.

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Ophelia’s death results from Hamlet's madness, his telling Ophelia that she needs to go to a nunnery, and Polonius's death. Hamlet telling Ophelia to go to a nunnery made Ophelia feel insecure. Especially when Hamlet told Ophelia that he would marry her just so she would sleep with him. Then, Hamlet comes back to Ophelia telling her that she needs to go to a nunnery. Which is basically calling Ophelia a whore, because a nunnery is like a whorehouse. Ophelia at this point felt very insecure about herself and she questioned her relationship with Hamlet.

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In The Tragedy of Hamlet, Hamlet has a unique relationship with Ophelia. Throughout the beginning of the play you learn very little about their relationship. Their relationship was referenced however. In the beginning of the play, Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet, claiming he does not actually love Ophelia. Throughout the play it is implied that Hamlet and Ophelia were involved with one another, but never showed the details of their "love."

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In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet there are many male characters, but the only two significant female characters are Ophelia and Gertrude. Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, a high ranking official in the court in Denmark who serves as a love interest and an object of desire for Hamlet, although it is often unclear which at many point during the play. Gertrude is the wife of King Claudius, the widow of the former king, King Hamlet, and the mother of Hamlet. In Hamlet the women often appear as if they do not have a significant role in the play. However, Ophelia’s interactions with Hamlet exaggerate his apparent madness and by being a foil to Hamlet.

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Unaware of the role Hamlet is playing, Ophelia feels rejected and hurt. Eventually, Ophelia’s heartache, along with the death of her father, causes her to commit suicide. Next, Claudius and Gertrude’s role play affect their relationship with Hamlet. At the beginning of the play, Claudius takes on the role of a kind, just king; he seems to genuinely care for Hamlet. He often gives him fatherly advice, and shows affection for Hamlet in ways that an uncle would.

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