An integral event that shapes Ophelia is in act 3 scene 1 when Hamlet confronts Ophelia. Before this point, Polonius hypotheses that Hamlet is mad due to the absence of Ophelia’s affection. However in contradiction to Polonius’ belief, in this scene, Hamlet is acting and speaking harshly to Ophelia. Despite this revelation, Ophelia still wishes for the Hamlet she loves to return, as shown in the lines: And I, of ladies most deject and
He refuses to get over the one way relationship, so his cousin Benvolio helps him think through his thoughts. Romeo understands that his relationship with Rosaline would not work out, but refuses to accept that “She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow. Do I live dead that live to tell it now” (Shakespeare 1.1.215-216). Romeo is
Hamlet brings to go on and talk about how much her and how beautiful she was. He then tells her he doesn’t love her, but it can be assumed that he said so because Hamlet knew they were being watched by Pulonious, asking Ophelia where her father was. Hamlet has shown many instances where he would fake an act just to confuse others. Another instance is when he quotes “never doubt I love” (II.ii.127). He tells her despite all the false things happening around them, his love for her was a genuine.
Tybalt would never have known that Romeo and Juliet were married. This would have been important because it may have resulted in fewer lives lost. Juliet does not even tell her parents that she got married, she just lets them believe that she is crying for Tybalt. Also, Juliet claims “ Madam, if you could find out but a man to bear a poison, I would temper it, that Romeo should, upon receipt thereof, soon sleep in quiet” (3.5.96-99). Juliet did not say what she was thinking.
“Tender yourself more dearly, Or not to the crack of the wind of the poor phase, running it thus, you’ll tender me a fool”. Polonius is not interested in love, or what is best for Ophelia’s wants. Polonius does not want Ophelia to make him look bad. Polonius would like Ophelia to choose a partner who would benefit him, but Ophelia feels that Hamlet is mad for her love. Whatever will benefit Polonius’ reputation is his only incentive to keep Ophelia informed about men.
This is encapsulated in Hamlet exclaims, “frailty, thy name is woman!” about his mother’s hasty marriage to her deceased husband’s brother (Shakespeare 1.2.150). In this quote, Hamlet is dismissing all women as weak-willed like he believes Gertrude to be, which affects his interactions with Ophelia also. Hamlet is cruel to her because of this anger he has towards women in general, so when pretending to be mad, he goes “full force in the misogynist rage” when telling her he used to love her, but now she should go to a nunnery (Traub 192). Ophelia can be seen as weak in this scene because she protests little against Hamlet and only hopes that his insanity will end. These crude comments Hamlet says to Ophelia continue throughout the play until Ophelia is being buried when Hamlet asserts that he loved Ophelia.
When King Duncan is on his way to Inverness, Macbeth begins to panic and tries to back out of the plan. It’s not until his wife questions his manhood and belittles him that he agrees to do it. She always shamed Macbeth into feeling like he was less of a man if he didn’t do what she wanted and that’s what was the driving force of the play. Lady Macbeth tells him that he is “too nice” to do what it takes to become king. She ultimately gets what she wants when her husband goes through with killing Duncan, but even then she can’t be satisfied.
Romeo acts as if his life is over when he finds out that he will never be allowed to be with Juliet, despite the fact that he doesn’t know her and was only in her presence for a few minutes, thus proving his shallowness. (need one more quotation) Furthermore, another immature quality Romeo possesses that makes him a cause of the tragedy is his inability to listen to adult’s advice. When Friar Lawrence tells Romeo that he is rushing into love with Juliet, and advises him that he should wait a little while before he and Juliet marry, Romeo fails to listen to the Friar’s advice. Friar Lawrence warns Romeo, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” (2.3).
Hamlet feels that is where a woman has a best chance at being faithful and where she will cause the least amount of damage. Hamlet also does this to also ensure that she won't have children meaning she cannot bear wicked children like Claudius. Hamlet’s remark about Ophelia creates the perception that she is not strong enough to survive alone, and naturally, she calls her brother for help and guidance after. It is here where Ophelia realizes Polonius's controlling manner is unrecoverable, "I would give you some violets / but they withered all when my father died..." (4.5. 207-209).
In love, Helena shows complete foolishness and lack of judgment regarding who she gives her affection to. “Helena: But herein mean me to enrich my pain, /To have his sight thither and back again. (Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 256-257). Even though Demetrius does not love Helena, she still keeps one going back to him and convincing him to love her again. Therefore, this shows us