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Hamlet’s Love for Ophelia



Love is a very complicated concept in life and in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. I believe that Hamlet was truly in love with Ophelia. There is a point where Hamlet denies his love for Ophelia but it is not difficult to realize that he never stopped loving her. When Hamlet was putting on the mask of insanity to make those around him believe that he was going mad, he inadvertently hurt her. After Ophelia’s death, Hamlet’s true feelings are apparent through his letters and arguments with Laertes. Hamlet’s feeling for Ophelia sway from loving her, to never loving her, to have always loved her. This is why it is difficult to conclude Hamlet’s true feeling for Ophelia. However, when Hamlet claimed that he never loved Ophelia his anger of his uncle was starting to escalate. The fact that he was angry at Claudius along with his charade forced him to lessen his love for Ophelia. This is why it is probable that Hamlet was always truly in love with Ophelia. I will use rational arguments to prove Hamlet’s love for Ophelia.

Ophelia first introduces Hamlet’s love for her to Polonius, "He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me."(I.iii.ll.100-101). Hamlet has conveyed to Ophelia the affection that he has for her. However, Hamlet seems to be distant from Ophelia which is caused by the over-protective nature of her father and brother. Polonius says to Ophelia, “Marry, well bethought.’Tis told me he hath very oft of late given private time to you, and you yourself have of your audience been most free and bounteous. If it be so as so 'tis put on me— and that in way of caution—I must tell you, you do not understand yourself so clearly as it behooves my daughter and your honor. What is between you? Give me up the truth.”(I.iii.ll.91-99). Polonius confronts Ophelia for spending a lot of time with Hamlet and that she should have some self – restraint. He demands her to give him the details of their relationship. The fact that Ophelia has expressed to Polonius that Hamlet does love her in the first act, is important to understanding the play as a whole because the reader has the impression that Hamlet has very deep feelings for her. Ophelia’s revelation shows that Hamlet has talked to Ophelia and they both feel they love each other. However, Polonius is not so understanding of their love and tries to discredit Hamlet’s affection for Ophelia, “Affection! Pooh, you speak like a green girl, Unsifted in such perilous circumstance. Do you believe his “tenders,” as you call them? ” (I.iii.ll.101-103). Polonius uses his superiority to disgrace Hamlet’s affection for Ophelia and tells her that she will be a fool to take him seriously. Ophelia’s affection for Hamlet is displayed when she tries to defend him, “My lord, he hath importuned me with love in honorable fashion.” (I.iii.ll.110-111).

As the play progresses it is clear why Hamlet distances himself from Ophelia. In his ploy to fool those around him he appears before Ophelia disoriented, “My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings fouled, Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle; Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosèd out of hell To speak of horrors—he comes before me.” (II.i.77-84). Hamlet appears in a very shameful fashion towards Ophelia. Hamlet knows that Ophelia will report this incident to Polonius and his disguise of madness will be worn. However, Hamlet unintentionally hurts Ophelia caused by great ambition to avenge his father’s murder. You can also argue that Hamlet may be going mad as time progresses and as he begins to truly understand his uncle’s despicable act. Hamlet’s behavior towards Ophelia shows not only his madness but also shows his love for her. To fool others he chose to go to Ophelia because he is attracted to her and subconsciously wanted to display himself to Ophelia. After Hamlet’s unusual display of affection for Ophelia, she doesn’t allow him to access her and doesn’t accept his letters.

Ophelia’s rejection of Hamlet was clearly what sparked Hamlet’s denial of love later in the play. Ophelia’s refusal only adds to Hamlet’s stress and it is her that he lets out his frustrations on. “He took me by the wrist and held me hard. Then goes he to the length of all his arm, And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow, He falls to such perusal of my face As he would draw it. Long stayed he so.” (II.i.ll.87-91). Hamlet uses force on Ophelia and holds her wrist hard and starts to stare at her. Ophelia is frightened by Hamlet’s behavior and reports it to her father. I believe that Hamlet’s love for Ophelia was the only

Proof of Hamlet’s love is further solidified when Polonius brings Hamlet’s love letter to the king and queen.

	“ ‘Doubt thou the stars are fire,
	Doubt that the sun doth move,
	Doubt truth to be a liar,
	But never doubt I love.
	O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not art to reckon my groans, but that I love thee best, oh, most best, believe it. Adieu.
	Thine evermore, most dear lady,
	whilst this machine is to him,
	Hamlet.’ ” (II.ii.ll.116-124)

This letter is the clearest proof of Hamlet’s love for Ophelia. At this point of the play Hamlet is able to express his true and honest feeling because he knows that Ophelia will be the only recipient of this letter. As the play progresses, Hamlet is not able to express his love openly because his every move is being watched.

Hamlet’s denial of love can also be explained by his mother and uncle getting married immediately after the death of his father. His mother’s actions seem to infuriate Hamlet and he yells, “Let me not think on ‘t; frailty thy name is woman!” (1.2.146). Hamlet has developed hate towards women caused by his mother’s greed. Hamlet also realizes that Claudius may use Ophelia to end Hamlet’s chance at revenge. Hamlet realizes that he must rid any feelings that he has for Ophelia and Hamlet does this very well. Now that Ophelia’s feelings for Hamlet are not that strong he works to get Claudius to confess the supreme sin he committed. Hamlet creates a play when actors arrive in Elsinore, that recreates the death of his father. Hamlet states, “The play’s the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King.” (II.ii.ll.606). Hamlet works quickly to get the king to confess so he can once again embrace Ophelia.

When Ophelia enters after Hamlet’s famous “to be or not to be, that is the question” soliloquy he is aroused by her presence. After becoming increasingly depressed and even contemplating suicide he is still glad to see her. This shows the reader that he is truly in love with her and perhaps she is the only one that is stopping him from taking his own life. However, after this Hamlet begins to insult Ophelia and tells her that he is not in love with her and never loved her. This can be explained by Hamlet’s anger at Ophelia’s dishonesty. Hamlet knows that Polonius is spying on him but when he asks Ophelia where Polonius is she tells him that he is at home. She has once again sparked Hamlet’s hate towards women. You also have to understand that Ophelia does not mean what she says and she is being used by Polonius and Claudius to get to Hamlet.

At the end of the play, there is no doubt of Hamlet’s overwhelming love for Ophelia. Hamlet and Laertes are arguing who loved Ophelia more. Hamlet proudly states, “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum.” (V.i.ll.272-274). This is the most concrete prove that Hamlet loved Ophelia. Hamlet never stopped loving her, for his own safety he kept his distance from her. To trick those around him he had to temporarily sacrifice his love for Ophelia. His denial of love had many ambitious reasons. His true feelings for her were shown through his letters and her death. In an effort to cover his true intentions, Hamlet could not show his feelings for the king. Hamlet never stopped loving Ophelia and unfortunately these lovers could not be together.