The significance of Ophelia's madness is to signify her losing two of the most important men in her life, Polonius
Polonius
Polonius is a character in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. He is chief counsellor of the king, and the father of Laertes and Ophelia. Generally regarded as wrong in every judgment he makes over the course of the play, Polonius is described by William Hazlitt as a "sincere" father, but also "a b…
What is the significance of Ophelia's madness in Hamlet?
The significance of Ophelia’s madness is to signify her losing two of the most important men in her life, Polonius and Hamlet. It is clear that Ophelia is grieving over the death of her father, Polonius, when Horatio says “She speaks much of her father, says she hears…” (Shakespeare IV 4-5),...
What are Ophelia’s thoughts on herself?
Ophelia turns her thoughts to herself, the one who most enjoyed hearing Hamlet’s sweet music (many princes were also trained to play an instrument), and the one who has been cast down miserably most of all (witness Hamlet’s recent treatment of her).
Why does Ophelia not recognize Polonius when she talks to him?
Ophelia’s madness is overtaking her so much so that she does not even recognize whom she is talking to like her brother, Laertes. Polonius was such a vital figure in her life, she is insane beyond help and thus does not recognize her own brother nor anyone else she speaks to.
What kind of plant is Ophelia in the poem?
Much like Ophelia herself. At one time, perhaps she was a magnolia or a rose, but now, she represents the plants that grow between the blossoming flowers. When people speak of Ophelia, they often use flower and tree imagery, and after her death, water imagery. She could easily be a weeping willow.
What does Ophelia's madness represent?
Ophelia's madness stems from her lack of identity and her feelings of helplessness regarding her own life. While the death of Hamlet's father made him angry enough to want revenge, Ophelia internalized the death of her father as a loss of personal identity.
How does Ophelia demonstrate her madness?
In her madness, she sings songs that seem to dwell on the causes of her grief. Some of her songs are about old men or fathers dying. The rest are about pre-marital sex: “Quoth she, 'Before you tumbled me / You promised me to wed'” (IV.
What is the significance of madness in Hamlet?
Hamlet also demonstrates madness when he questions his presence and purpose on earth and thinks about suicide. Hamlet creates a mysterious and nifty character throughout the play, and his role-playing and acts of madness develop his character in a sane manner.
Why do you suppose Ophelia's madness takes on the form it does?
What do they assume is the cause of Ophelia's apparent madness? They assume that Ophelia's madness is a combination of the stresses of her father's death, Hamlet's being sent away, and the fact that Hamlet is her father's killer.
Why does Ophelia not recognize her brother?
Ophelia’s madness is perhaps overtaking her so much so that she does not even recognize whom she is talking to in this instance–her brother Laertes. Because Polonius was such a vital figure in her life, she is likely bereaved beyond help and thus does not recognize her brother.
Is Ophelia insane in Hamlet?
Ophelia in the fourth act of Hamlet is demonstrably insane, but the direct cause of her slipped sanity is something that remains debatable. While it is evident that Ophelia is grieving over the death of her father, Polonius, as Horatio says of her “She speaks much of her father, says she hears / There’s tricks in the world, and hems, ...
