Ophelia quotes

“If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o’ Christian burial”

The noun “gentlewoman” shows Ophelia as part of the aristocracy, “gentle” creates contrast displaying the gap between classes. The pronoun “this” shows how Ophelia is now a nameless object.

“Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up”

• Shakespeare use of half-rhyme creates a rhythmic almost melodic pace to the description of Ophelia

• Soothing and feminine, “mermaid-like” simile is used to make Ophelia appear mystic and genteel

“Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pull’d the poor wretch from her melodious lay, To a muddy death”

• “Muddy death”, “pull’d the poor wretch” represent Ophelia’s willingness to die, suggesting suicide

• Hamlet’s poor treatment of Ophelia could have driven her to death

• Drowning was also a common suicide for pregnant women in Elizabethan times, Shakespeare alludes pregnancy but the death remain ambiguous

“I shall obey my lord”

• “Obey” reflecting Ophelia’s obedience to her father, reflecting the broader theme if filial duty and the expectations placed upon women to comply with paternal authority.

• Elizabethan society, daughters were expected to obey their fathers unquestioningly

• Ophelia’s submissiveness highlights the gender dynamics, where females are subjugated and their agency is limited by the men around them

“think [herself] a baby / That [she has] ta’en these tenders for true pay / Which are not sterling”

• Polonius tells Ophelia, making he relegating her to the position of a foolish young girl who knows nothing of love or life and must surrender her autonomy to her father and brother

• Polonius and Laertes exert control over Ophelia’s sexuality, warning her of the dangers of losing her virginity

“Steep the thorny way” “the primrose path of dalliance”

• Laertes like all men can tread “the primrose path of dalliance” while Ophelia and other women are resigned to the “steep and thorny way”

• Social analysis that points to at least marginal intelligence in Ophelia, however, is frequently dismissed by the audience as they view her incapable of such higher order thoughts

“Excess of any passion approached madness”

Mack stated, can be seen through Hamlets acts of passionate speech towards Ophelia, making her feel uncomfortable as for an elizabethan audience such expressions would be considered an element of madness.

Can also be used for how Ophelia constantly obeys her male authority figures never speaking up for herself. Until she is in a state of delirium where she expresses herself through song, portraying her as mad.

“Awards of flowers to the King and Queen which are appropriate to frailties of which she cannot supposed to have conscious knowledge”

Mack on Ophelia’s descent into madness.