ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Ophelia (/əˈfiːliə/) is a character in William Shakespeare’s drama Hamlet (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who, due to Hamlet’s actions, ends up in a state of madness that ultimately leads to her drowning.

Detailed explanation-2: -Ophelia kills herself because the fate of Denmark is placed on her shoulders when she is asked to more or less spy on Hamlet, her father has been murdered (by her former lover no less), from the confusion created by her father and brother with regard to the meaning of love, and her suicide is even an act of revenge.

Detailed explanation-3: -Act IV Scene 7 Ophelia’s suicide Hamlet: AS & A2.

Detailed explanation-4: -SARAH: Ophelia made a wreath of flowers and attempted to hang it on the branches of the willow. While doing so, she slipped and fell into the brook.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ophelia’s final words are addressed to either Hamlet, or her father, or even herself and her lost innocence: “And will a not come again? / No, no, he is dead, / Go to thy death-bed, / He never will come again. / … / God a mercy on his soul. And of all Christian souls. God buy you.” Next, she drowns herself.