ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Ophelia is Polonius ’ daughter and Laertes ’ sister. Hamlet has been in love with her for a while before the play starts and has given her several gifts during their courtship until her father warns her away from him and tells her not to see him anymore. During the play, he treats her very badly.

Detailed explanation-2: -Her heart has convinced her that Hamlet loved her, though he swears he never did. To her father and brother, Ophelia is the eternal virgin, the vessel of morality whose purpose is to be a dutiful wife and steadfast mother. To Hamlet, she is a sexual object, a corrupt and deceitful lover.

Detailed explanation-3: -By the way he acts around Ophelia when he is alone with her, he shows that his feelings for her are true. Hamlet shows throughout the play that he is really in love with Ophelia. One piece of evidence showing that Hamlet really did love Ophelia is when he tells her, “I did love you” (Act 3 scene 1 line 126).

Detailed explanation-4: -Hamlet is idealistic and aspires to have the soul of a poet, while Ophelia is more comfortable in reality. Even if the characters feel for one another, their inability to reconcile their definitions of love compromises their ability to communicate and essentially dooms the relationship.

Detailed explanation-5: -However, as the question of Hamlet’s state of mind increasingly dire, Polonius tightens the reins on his daughter. At the top of Act Three Polonius forces Ophelia to return Hamlet’s letters and renounce his affections. Ophelia obeys, but her action sends Hamlet into a fit of misogynistic rage.