Introduction
My term paper is about the young girl Ophelia, who is, among Gertrude, the only female character in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. When we take a closer look on Ophelia’s character, we can easily see that she undergoes a change of behaviour in the play. In the first scenes she appears as a normal young girl of her period, but the process of becoming insane goes its way, which can be seen when she is singing her dialogue songs and finally when she commits suicide. During this process there are questions that come up: What is the reason for Ophelia’s insanity? Why is she such an obedient girl? Is Hamlet’s love to her real or just fake? The last two questions may help with the answering of the leading question about Ophelia’s insanity. In the following I use some feminist approaches to analyse Ophelia’s madness.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Discussing Task
3. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the descent into insanity of Ophelia, one of the few female characters in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, exploring how societal expectations, paternal control, and her troubled relationship with Hamlet contribute to her mental decline.
- The role of the feminine ideal in the Elizabethan period.
- The impact of patriarchal control by Polonius and Laertes on Ophelia's development.
- The ambiguity of Hamlet's affection and its effect on Ophelia's stability.
- Psychological stressors including the death of her father and Hamlet's violence.
- Feminist perspectives on Ophelia’s madness and ultimate suicide.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Discussing Task
In the play Ophelia is presented as a beautiful young girl. She is the sister of Laertes and the daughter of Polonius, who is a member of the Danish Privy Council. The third important man in her life is Prince Hamlet with whom she has fallen in love.
The play takes place 500 years before the Elizabethian period. In that period, in general, the feminine ideal was a passive one which explains Ophelia’s weak and dependent character. She symbolizes the typical obedient women’s role of that time. Besides, she is no very complex character and appears in only five of the twenty scenes.
Laertes tries to talk Ophelia out of her love to Hamlet. He does not believe that Hamlet is able to return her love and he wants his sister to stay a virgin. “And keep within the rear of your affection, /Out of the shot and danger of desire. /The chariest maid is prodigal enough”.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Ophelia as a pivotal, yet dependent female character and establishes the central inquiry into the causes of her mental breakdown.
2. Discussing Task: This section analyzes the external pressures exerted by Polonius and Laertes, as well as the traumatic impact of Hamlet’s erratic behavior and the murder of her father.
3. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes that Ophelia’s insanity is a direct consequence of her environment and Hamlet's actions, confirming the tragic inevitability of her death.
Keywords
Ophelia, Hamlet, William Shakespeare, Insanity, Feminism, Patriarchy, Polonius, Laertes, Mental Health, Elizabethan Period, Suicide, Dependent Character, Unrequited Love, Tragedy, Literary Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the character of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet and seeks to identify the underlying reasons for her transition into madness.
What are the central themes explored in the work?
Key themes include the passive feminine ideal of the era, the impact of patriarchal figures on female autonomy, and the psychological consequences of trauma and unrequited love.
What is the main research question?
The paper centers on the leading question: "What is the reason for Ophelia’s insanity?"
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author applies feminist approaches to analyze Ophelia's behavior and her eventual descent into madness.
What aspects are covered in the main body?
The main body examines Ophelia's relationship with the men in her life, her lack of personal agency, the impact of Hamlet's rejection, and the traumatic loss of her father.
Which keywords best describe this study?
The work is characterized by terms such as Ophelia, Hamlet, Insanity, Feminism, Patriarchy, and Tragedy.
How does the author interpret Ophelia's suicide?
The author views the suicide as an act that is simultaneously her first independent decision and a tragic result of her total inability to cope with the loss of her father and her love for his murderer.
What role does the character of Hamlet play in Ophelia's decline?
The author argues that Hamlet is fundamentally responsible for her decline through his denial of love, his verbal abuse, and his murder of Polonius, which leaves Ophelia without guidance or support.
- Quote paper
- Nathalie Drewes (Author), 2003, "William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet': What is the Reason for Ophelia's Insanity?", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/42556
