After reading this act, I was shocked at how each character seemed to reveal their true motives and didn't seem to be as conniving as they had been before. Throughout the play, each person kept a secret from someone else, and in this act they were able to expose their underlying thoughts. Hamlet was able to tell Gertrude about the turmoil that he was consumed by as a result of her marriage and the death of his father. Gertrude even admitted that her marriage with Claudius was hasty, and was completely honest with her true feelings. Hamlet acknowledged the fact that he could no longer trust anyone, including his close friends and family. After they had relinquished their darkest secrets I couldn't help but feel relieved for each character.
For this character analysis I chose Ophelia. I couldn't understand why she would conspire along with Polonius and trick him the way she did. Maybe she was just trying to please her father and didn't want to disappoint him, but it seemed as though she liked the attention she received from Hamlet. She mentioned that she was afraid of him, but Polonius put the idea in her mind that Hamlet was madly in love with her and I think she was flattered.
One major theme in this act was honesty. Most of the characters came forward with everything they had kept secret, such as Gertrude and Hamlet. Hamlet admitted that he wasn't insane and revealed his plan for revenge, and was honesty with his mother about the frustration he felt regarding Claudius. Gertrude also found out about the reappearing ghost that Hamlet sees.
I like how Hamlets insanity starts to really take over. He basically has no control anymore. But yeah as for Ophelia, I think she just goes along with whatever people will ask of her. she always does what her father says and even her peers because she has no will power.
ReplyDeleteI too, was so glad to find more insight in to each of the characters. I was more able to relate to them as fallible human beings and thus even have compassion for them. AS far as Ophelia goes I think at first she liked the flattery she received from Hamlet. But, as his personality changed she and her father got involved I think she lost interest in him. In fact in Act 3 she shows that she is in fact even becoming scared and mildly disgusted by him. She mentions that he is becoming rude and crude with her. I think she would not have even bothered with him if it weren't for his station in life.
ReplyDelete-Taryne