Character Analysis: Ophelia

1. "I shall th' effect of this good lesson keep as watchman to my heart." (I.3.45-46)

Ophelia is being spoken to by Laertes about how she should be careful with Hamlet because even though it may seem like he loves her, he only wants her for his own lusts. She respectfully submits to her brother's advise. This shows that she is somewhat of a gentlewoman.

2. "No, my good lord; but, as you did command, I did repel his letters and denied his access to me." (II.1.108-109)

Ophelia is beginning to become a little freaked out by Hamlet, as he has just ran into her room looking very indecent and inappropriate, embraced her, and looked at her for a very long time before he leaves her room. She tells her father of what happened and says that she has tried her best to obey him. She truly does seem to want honor her father as well as her brother.

3. "O, woe is me t' have seen what I have seen, see what I see!" (III.1.163-164)

Ophelia is extremely confused now. She believed that Hamlet loved her because of how stormed into her room and embraced her not a few moments before this, and now he is saying that he does not love her and that she should just go to a convent so she does not have to marry anyone. Her feelings are definitely being messed with and she is very stressed. She believes that he is now mad and hopes that God will save him. She still loves him; however, she is beginning to feel very stressed and confused about Hamlet feels about her.

4. "You are naught, you are naught! I'll mark the play." (III.2.152-153)

Hamlet is saying some very vulgar and seductive things to Ophelia now and she knows better so she is just deciding to not give in to his little tricks and to just watch the play instead. She wants to honor her father it seems more then give in to her own desires. That's something that is very rare in the characters of this play.

5. "And will he not come again? And will he not come again? No, no, he is dead; Go to thy deathbed; He never will come again. His beard was as white as snow, All flaxen was his poll. He is gone, he is gone, And we cast away moan. God 'a'mercy on his soul! And of all Christian souls, I pray God. God b' wi' you." (IV.5.188-198)

Ophelia has now gone off the deep end. These are her very last words that are recorded in the book, and she is singing these words. Her feelings and thoughts are so distorted at this point because of Hamlet and because of the death of her father that she has gone insane and will not stop singing. She seems to be singing about the two things that have driven her crazy. She is singing about having sexual relations with another man (most likely Hamlet), and about how her father is dead. She has totally and utterly fallen off the deep end and it is a shame to see her die that way as well.