Ryan Baranowski

Miss. Skirtich
17 October 2016
English 10: World Literature

Hamlet and Ophelias complicated love story

The relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet is very awkward and confusing. This
relationship leaves many questions in the mind of the reader. Hamlet makes you think that many
times he does not like Ophelia at all but then a few times it looks like he actually trusts her. This
whole time Ophelia is falling for him and lying to Polonius about their relations. Hamlet kind of
tortures Ophelia because she pours her heart out and Hamlet acts like nothing happened. Hamlet
definitely knows how to drive a girl crazy. Hamlet and Ophelias troubled love affair is driven by
his family, nobility, and insincerity.
During a time of struggle you can always trust and rely on youre family however this is
not the case. Hamlets elaborate plan to trick his uncle is interfering with his relationship. (II. ii.
517-519) Hes acting crazy to keep suspicion off him about knowing that Claudius killed his
father. By acting crazy to trick his parents he is sending Ophelia a lot of mixed signals and its
driving her crazy and leaving his parents stumped. He tells Ophelia at one point I did love you
once (III.i.12.) He is just making no sense when he answers Ophelia. Since his father is dead he
also feels a few times like he should just kill himself for he has nothing to live for. He has all this
built up anger and frustration and you can kind of see that come out on Ophelia.
It is always hard to have normal relationships when you are a person of power. This
whole thing starts with Claudius killing Hamlet to steal his crown. Hamlet also has problems
with being the prince. Polonius is his adviser and he is always telling Hamlet what to do and half

the time what he says doesnt even make logical sense. (II. ii. 86-96) This makes Hamlet really
hate Polonius and he pretty much calls him an idiot to his daughters face. Polonius also tells
Ophelia that Hamlet is a young king and only wants her for her goods. (I. iii. 115-131).
Hamlets own friends and family are deceiving and spying on him. There is an extreme
amount of insincerity in this book because everyone likes to spy on each other. Claudius and
Polonius hid behind the tapestry to spy and Hamlet and Ophelias interactions. (III. i. 44-45)
Hamlet know they are watching so he acts very angry and distraught in front of Ophelia and she
is very confused about what is going on. Hamlet say I loved you not (III. I. 129) and when he
says this Ophelia is confused because he knows for a fact that he did love her. All the insincerity
in this book leaves many questions in your head.
Hamlet and Ophelias troubled love affair is driven by his family, abnormal family
behavior, and insincerity. As shown by hes actions such as acting mad. Hamlet acts mad to
prove a hunch but leaves Ophelia out to dry and leaves her going mad. He also has such great
depression over his dads murder and tries to not show his emotions and just makes the
relationship worse. On the other hand Ophelia lets her dad get in her relationship and he thinks
hes the love professor and complicates things further. Together Hamlet and Ophelias actions
have made for a very sticky situation.