In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet can be viewed as a character having two very opposing personalities: there is the intellectual Hamlet, "school[ed] in Wittenberg," gentle and loving (I.ii.117); yet, there is also the cruel Hamlet, who murders Polonius and plans to avenge Claudius, along with having "bloody thoughts" (IV.iv. 69). Many factors contribute to this character duality, ranging from the death (or, rather murder) of his father to the rejection by Ophelia. However many factors, or, whether it is completely fate, Hamlet is a tragic hero that is doomed to destruction. Throughout the play, we see that Ophelia has an important role in his life, greatly contributing to the downfall of Hamlet.

Hamlet loves Ophelia and has "made many tenders / Of his affection to [her]" (I.iii.108-09). He "[has] importuned [her] with love / In an honorable fashion" (I.iii.119-120). Ophelia, however, does not know how to react nor "what [to] think" of Hamlet's intentions (I.iii.1130). It appears as though Hamlet is quite serious in his love for her, as he "[has] given countenance to his speech / With almost all the holy vows if heaven" (I.iii.122-23). Polonius is skeptical about Hamlet's affection

It is believed, especially by Polonius, that Hamlet's madness is due to his love for Ophelia. This leads to a plan to listen in on Hamlet and Ophelia. All goes well when Ophelia attempts to blame Hamlet for rejecting her. Hamlet unleashes a vicious attack on Ophelia and tells her "to [go to] a nunnery" (III.i.140) and that "[he] did love [her] once" but not anymore (III.i.125). Once again Hamlet reflects back on women and views them with contempt. He has lost his faith in women, as he continues to see the similarities between Gertrude and Ophelia and womankind, and calls for "no more marriage" (III.i.160). The situation proves to be extremely significant in that it does in fact convince others that Hamlet is mad. At this point in the novel, Hamlet admits that this crisis "[has] made him mad" and Claudius is worried about Hamlet's lunacy and wants him shipped to Europe (III.i.159).

The fact that that Ophelia does ignore Hamlet ultimately has a significant effect on him. In the beginning of the play, Hamlet is disgusted with his mother's "incestuous" (I.ii.162) marriage and the "wicked speed" with which it was done (I.ii.161). He calls out against Gertrude when he believes that "frailty [is the] woman['s] name" (I.ii.150). His affection for Ophelia, however, restores his spirit and his disillusionment of women. But when Ophelia starts to ignore him, he feels betrayed and dishonored (similar to his father when Gertrude remarried). He must know the reason for Ophelia's behavior and thus "forces" his way into her room (while she was sewing). Looking fo

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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)