Essay Hamlet: Hamlet and Ophelia’s Happiness

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Essay Topic #3 A girl without freedom, a mind of her own, a mother, a father, a boyfriend, or

anything that mattered; Ophelia had no life at all. Ophelia is a character from the play

Hamlet by William Shakespeare. She is the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and

lover of Prince Hamlet. Although she had three people there for her, they truly weren’t

there for her own interests. Her father Polonius, is too busy getting people to like him by

using Ophelia. Her brother Laertes, is too entertained visiting other countries and meeting

different women. Her only lover Hamlet, is way too busy finding revenge for his father’s

death. The only 3 men Ophelia cares about, do not care enough for her own happiness.

Ophelia’s death was influenced by the men she had in her life. Ophelia’s father, Polonius, is a foolish and self-centered man. All he wants is too

be known by the people of Denmark. Ophelia is in love with Hamlet and her father tells

her, “ Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers.” Hamlet is trying to conquest her

while her own father is taking Ophelia’s happiness from her. She wants to be with Hamlet

but she respects her father too much to disrespect him. Later on in the play Polonius and

Claudius (the king) are planning to get Hamlet and Ophelia to start talking again.

Claudius and Polonius are both with Ophelia when suddenly Polonius tells the king, “ I

hear him coming. Let’s withdraw, my lord.” Both of them have a plan for both of the

lovers but it is only for their own good. Polonius is making Ophelia feel confused by the

actions he is deciding to take.

Laertes, Ophelia’s brother is always traveling and never by her side when she

needs him. He is always away from home traveling to different places. When their father

is killed Laertes is furious so he tells Claudius, “ And so have I a noble father lost; a sister

driven into desp’rate terms.” Laertes knows his sister is going crazy and he is feeling

guilty that he wasn’t there to defend his father so Ophelia would not be going through this

awful moment. Soon enough Ophelia commits suicide because she couldn’t handle all the

confusion anymore. Laertes is at the funeral and he yells out, “Hold off the earth awhile,

till I have caught her once more in mine
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