Hamlet in Love

Having someone constantly change their mind about something can be perplexing; love is no different, whether in real life or in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, love is a puzzling and challenging concept. Looking at Hamlet’s interactions with Ophelia throughout the play, Hamlet seems to constantly change his mind regarding his feelings for her. However, despite his declarations to the contrary it is feasible to believe that not only did Hamlet once love Ophelia, but also that he has never stopped, even when he is feigning madness. This is clearly portrayed through Hamlet’s letter to Ophelia, Act III scenes 1 and two, and Act 5, scene one.

It can be argued that Hamlet only pretends to love Ophelia or that he stopped loving her as he matured. However, it seems that through his semi-manufactured madness Hamlet had to sacrifice his love for Ophelia in order to complete his father’s task, although his love never fully ceases. Hamlet uses his madness, both genuine and fictional, to create a façade around his true motives of revenge.

On one occasion, as told to Polonius by Ophelia, Hamlet bursts into Ophelia’s bedroom in a completely frazzled and unkempt state, “And with a look so piteous in purport/As is he had been loosed out of hell/To speak of horrors he comes before me” (II.1.92-94). In this visit, Hamlet comes to Ophelia after he learns of his father’s murder and, as told by Ophelia

He took me by the wrist and held me hard.

Then goes he to the length of all his arm,

And, with his other hand thus o’er his brow,

He falls to such perusal of my face

As he would draw it. Long stayed he so.

At last, a little shaking of line arm,

And thrice his head thus waving up and down,

He raised a sigh so piteous and profound

As it did seem to shatter all his bulk

And end his being. That done, he lets me go,

And, with his head over his shoulder turned,

He seemed to find his way out without his eyes,

For out o’ doors he went without their helps

And to the last bended their...