Ophelias Weaknesses
In classic works of literature all characters have certain flaws. In Shakespeare's tragedies the characters all have flaws that eventually lead to their undoing. In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the character of Ophelia is ultimately killed by her flaw. It is apparent that Ophelia is an obedient person through her thoughts and actions in the beginning of the play, but upon closer inspection, the audience sees that she is not merely obedient. Ophelia's thoughts and actions go beyond obedience to show that Ophelia is a weak and entirely dependent character. Ophelia's cruel actions towards Hamlet, which go against her feelings for him, demonstrate her obedience to her father. For example, in the beginning Ophelia tells her father that she likes Hamlet: "My lord, he hath importuned me with love/ In honorable fashion..."(1.3 118-119). By stating this to Polonius, she implies that Hamlet is a decent and honorable man and that she does have some feelings for him. Ophelia's later actions sacrifice these personal feelings under the order of her father, proving her complete obedience. In particular, Ophelia agrees not to see Hamlet anymore after the request from her father: "I shall ob
All characters have flaws, but Ophelia's was a fatal one. Ophelia's fatal flaw was her complete dependence, which can also be shown through her obedience and overall weakness as a character. It is a shame that the dependence she could not help but have, ends up killing her. Ophelia's tragedy is a reminder of the importance of being an independent and strong person and not placing fate into the hands of others. Ophelia's actions can be explained by the fact that she was completely dependent on other people. In fact, Ophelia's dependence on others is evident in the very beginning: "I do not know, my lord, what I should think. POL: Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby..." (1.3 113-114). This shows how Ophelia depends on her father to determine what she should think and feel, and how she should live her life. Ophelia's complete dependence, or lack of independence, is what leads to her demise. For this reason, when the Queen is explaining her death, she says, "At which time / she chanted snatches of old lauds / as one incapable of her own distress or like a creature / native and endured unto that element..." (4.7 202-205). Ophelia is completely incapable of helping herself, because she is a weak person and, because of her dependence on others. Ironically, it was Ophelia's dependence that led to her death. Still, Ophelia's dependence on others was not entirely her fault; it can be justified by her father and brother's protection over her, which is shown when Laertes curses Hamlet at her
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Approximate Word count = 1026
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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