¶ … William Shakespeare's Hamlet, there are several distinct characteristics of misery and madness that abound in both Hamlet and Ophelia. Their lunacy each stems from similar sources of grief, but the true evolution of their madness is methodically different due to their gender and their status in Elizabethan society.
Throughout Hamlet, Ophelia appears in a mere five scenes and is only one of two females present in the play and therefore stands not to pose as a prominent member of the play. Ophelia's father, Polonius, whom is the chief advisor to the new King Claudius, and a highly respected man, demands that his daughter tell Hamlet that she can no longer be with him even though she desperately is in love with him.
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth have you so slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to't, charge you. Come your ways." (I.iii.132-135).
It is clear that here Polonius is making decisions for his daughter, regardless if she really loves Hamlet or not. She feels very unimportant and helpless now, and because of this develops a lack of emotional confidence and strength. All she can reply is "I do not, my lord, what I should think." (I.iii.113). She is used to relying on her father's direction and has been brought up to be very obedient. As well, her brother Laertes agrees with what their father is saying. Ophelia's brother, Laertes also tells his sister that Hamlet is no good for her. He thinks that Hamlet only loves her because he wants to seduce her, and demands his sister to never see him again.
Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister.
And keep you in the rear of your affection..." (I, iii, 37-38)
Ophelia can only accept her father and brother's beliefs and writes Hamlet a letter which informs him that she...
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