Essays on Ophelia

Essays on Ophelia

We've found 246 essays on Ophelia

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Madness in Hamlet

Hamlet-Melancholy, Madness and Sanity Hamlet A play by William Shakespeare, is as much a mystery as a tale about depression, madness and sanity. Shakespeare reveals how the scourge of corruption and decay rapidly spread; and the emotional consequences that follow. Insanity, madness and depression are …

HamletOphelia
Words 1958
Pages 8
Linguistic culture

When I finished read Laura Bohannan’s essay “Shakespeare in the Bush” I felt that I was smiling. Can you beat it: Elizabeth Bowen-Smith (who will became Laura Bohannan later), intelligent student of Oxford university, sits on the calabash, drinks beer and explain the story of …

CultureHamletLinguisticOpheliaWitchcraft
Words 1715
Pages 7
Broken Rites in Hamlet

In order to understand the role of the rites in Hamlet, one must conceptualize the ritual. The rites in Hamlet concern mainly marriage, mourning and funeral. It is crucial to distinguish their specific nature to detect how they participate in the tragedy. Arnold van Gennep …

DeathHamletOpheliaTragedy
Words 90
Pages 1
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Hamlet Complex Decision

Professor Maureen Edison World Literature 1 Asmaa Abdelaal Essay 1 Hamlet Complex Decision Abdelaal 1 Hamlet Complex Decision “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (Hamlet, 2446). To live or to die? Do I take avenge or not? To leave Denmark polluted …

HamletOphelia
Words 2610
Pages 10
Insanity of Hamlet and Ophelia Essay

In William Shakespearels two most popular works of art, Macbeth and Hamlet, several parts of the plays are similar. These two plays can be compared easily because Shakespeare used the same formula for each of his tragedies. The tragedies use supernatural incidents to intrigue the …

HamletMacbethOphelia
Words 1306
Pages 5
Death in Hamlet

The story Hamlet is centralized around one common theme that stands as the constant dynamic struggle. Death threads its way through the entirety of†Hamlet, from the opening scene’s confrontation with a dead man’s ghost to the bloodbath of the final scene, which leaves almost every …

HamletOphelia
Words 1855
Pages 7
Ophelia Foreshadowing

My impression of Queen Gertrude is that she is easily manipulated. Just after king Hamlet was murdered by king Claudius she easily fell for Claudius. Gertrude is a person that only thinks about her self and only thinks what she wants. She marries Claudius because …

HamletOphelia
Words 262
Pages 1
Female Power in Hamlet

Female Power in Hamlet I. Introduction William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is characterized by its tragic conclusion and its memorable cast. As a reflection of the time period in which Hamlet was written, the predominately male cast views the female characters as inferior. What the men do …

HamletOphelia
Words 889
Pages 4
The Significance of the Manner in Which Ophelia Dies

There on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds/ Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke,] When down her weedy trophies and herself/ Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,] And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up… (line 197-201 , Act 4, Scene 7). …

HamletOphelia
Words 517
Pages 2
The Philosophy of Action in Hamlet

Central to any drama is action. What distinguishes drama from other literary forms is the very fact that it is acted upon a stage, that voice is given to the words and that movement creates meaning. It is, therefore, puzzling that the most seminal dramatic …

HamletOpheliaPhilosophy
Words 4612
Pages 17
Ophelia Character Sketch

Hamlet is a very complex play based upon the relationships within the walls of Listener Castle in Denmark. Hamlet is the main character and the focus point in all the emotions and feelings in the play. Gertrude (Hamlet’s mother), and Claudia (Hamlet’s uncle and his …

CharacterCharacter SketchOphelia
Words 521
Pages 2
Literary Merit Essay Hamlet

William Shakespeare’s plays have long been regarded as works of literary merit due to their complexity and thematic depth, as well as their universal appeal and ability to stand the test of time. One of Shakespeare’s most renowned plays, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of …

HamletOphelia
Words 791
Pages 3
Hamlet Comparison Rough Edit

Kenneth Branagh’s production of Hamlet and The Royal Shakespeare’s Company production of Hamlet are hard to compare with each other. In terms of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy in the portrait scene, his meeting with Ophelia, the queen’s ability to stand up for herself and Hamlet’s reaction …

HamletOphelia
Words 1110
Pages 5
Prince of Denmark: A Hero?

William’s Shakespeare’s famous drama Hamlet, is filled with treachery, revenge, and corruption. The play unfolds as the protagonist, a troubled young prince, looses his father to the hand of his uncle. At the same time, his recently widowed mother marries this uncle becomes new king …

HamletHeroesOphelia
Words 1606
Pages 6
Literature Critique Essay

1)         “The Story of an Hour” A)  Plot : The married Mrs. Louise Mallard is told her husband has died in a train accident.  She has a heart condition and experiences deep grief over her husband’s death.  Slowly the grief fades and she begins to …

AntigoneCreonHamletLiteratureOpheliaPoetry
Words 2881
Pages 11
Ophelias madness

Also, Aphelia cannot express herself the way the men around her can, reserving he r to a alone of emotions, which, in addition to being left stranded after the men in her life essentially disappear, bursts into her ultimate insanity. Every person with influence in …

HamletOphelia
Words 1094
Pages 4
Hamlet: Women of the Shakespearean Era

Hamlet: Women of the Shakespearean Era Women in Shakespeare’s plays are, for the most part, looked at as weak characters. There were only two main female roles in his famous play Hamlet. The two female roles in the play are Queen Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, and …

HamletOpheliaWomen
Words 589
Pages 3
Is Hamlet Mad

Is Hamlet Mad (His Indecisive Soliloquies)? A controversy occurs over whether Hamlet’s behaviour displays craziness or planned insightfulness when deciding on his revenge on King Claudius. Prince Hamlet’s life unfortunately spirals out of hand when his father mysteriously dies. Suspicion of the possible murder of …

HamletOpheliaTechnology
Words 2373
Pages 9
Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet

Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 adaptation of Hamlet is a great way to enjoy the popular Shakespeare play. While I found the film to be quite lengthy, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a film version of the story I only knew a little bit about from reading an …

HamletOphelia
Words 1125
Pages 5
The Theme of Social Class and Power in Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Introduction William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, explores a myriad of themes, including the complexities of social class and the dynamics of power within society. Set in the Danish kingdom, the play portrays the clash between different social classes and the quest for power, illuminating the consequences …

HamletOpheliaSocial Class
Words 512
Pages 2
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Find extra essay topics on Essays on Ophelia by our writers.

Ophelia is a character in William Shakespeare's drama Hamlet. She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who, due to Hamlet's actions, ends up in a state of madness that ultimately leads to her drowning.
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Created by: William Shakespeare   Played by

  • Daisy Ridley - Ophelia
  • Helena Bonham Carter - Hamlet
  • Kate Winslet - Hamlet
  • Mia Quiney - Ophelia
  • Julia Stiles - Hamlet
  Movies
  • Ophelia - 2018
  • Rosencrantz & Guildens Are Dead - 1990
  • Hamlet - 1996
  • The Tragedy of Hamlet - 2002
  • Shakespeare Tragedies: Hamlet- 1980
  People also search for
  • Polonius
  • Laertes
  • Claudius
  • Hamlet
  • Gertrude

Frequently asked questions

What does Ophelia symbolize?
Ophelia is a symbol of innocence. She is young and naive, and her innocence is taken advantage of by the older, more experienced characters in the play. Ophelia is used by both Hamlet and Claudius to further their own agendas, and she ultimately pays the price for their manipulation with her life.
What mental illness does Ophelia have?
While it is not definitively known what mental illness Ophelia has, there are a few possible explanations that have been put forth by scholars. One possibility is that she suffers from bipolar disorder, which could explain her sudden changes in mood and her erratic behavior. Another possibility is that she has borderline personality disorder, which could explain her intense emotions and her self-destructive tendencies. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that Ophelia is suffering from some form of mental illness that causes her to behave in a way that is out of touch with reality.
What is the story of Ophelia about?
The story of Ophelia is a tragedy about a young woman who goes mad after her lover, Hamlet, kills her father. Ophelia is a beautiful and innocent young woman who is caught in the middle of the conflict between Hamlet and his family. She is ultimately driven mad by the events that unfold and drowns herself in a river.
How is Ophelia a feminist?
One way is in her relationship with Hamlet. Hamlet is constantly telling her what to do and how to behave, and she eventually breaks free from his control. She also stands up to her father, Polonius, when he tries to control her. Another way in which Ophelia is a feminist is in her sexuality. She is not afraid to express her desire for Hamlet, and she is also not afraid to reject him.

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