Shakespeare in Love

A detailed Summary of Shakespeare in Love


Hamlet and Ophelia are linked by many common characteristics, not

the least of which is their madness. While Hamlet's madness seems to

be feigned, Ophelia is truly crazy. The odd thing about their

predicament is that they each drive each other more fully into the

One of Hamlet's most famous lines is when he tells the Queen: "Seems,

madam? Nay, it is. I know not 'seems.'" Hamlet is saying that he does

not know what it is to pretend, he only knows what it is to be. This is the

main question surrounding Hamlet in the play, is he feigning his

madness, or is it real? After confronting the Ghost, Hamlet tells his friends

that he is going to act mad in public, and that they should not worry for

he is not really crazy at all. There is a common belief in these days that

when someone tells a lie and firmly believes it they start to live that lie.

Maybe this is true with Hamlet- he acts truly mad in public (even his

mother believes it) that possibly he acts mad in private too.


Hamlet any longer, and return all of his letters. When Ophelia follows

importunate, indeed distract. Her mood will needs be pitied." Ophelia

Ophelia's room and looks at her with such a piteous and saddened



Some common words found in the essay are:
Whilst Hamlet, Ghost Hamlet, Guildenstern Hamlet, Hamlet Ophelia, Act III, Queen Ophelia, Shortly Hamlet, Ophelia Hamlet, Claudius Ophelia, Ophelia Queen, mad hamlet, act iii, tells queen, mad public, truly mad, act iii scene, father ophelia, iii scene,

Approximate Word count = 729
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

join now Save Paper



Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.