Ophelia's descent into madness explored from "summary" of The Masks of Hamlet by Marvin Rosenberg
In the play "Hamlet," Shakespeare portrays Ophelia's descent into madness with great depth and complexity. Through the interactions with her father Polonius, brother Laertes, and ultimately Hamlet himself, we witness the gradual unraveling of her sanity. Ophelia's madness is not simply a sudden event, but rather a process that unfolds over time, influenced by the various traumas and betrayals she experiences. Initially, we see Ophelia struggling to cope with the conflicting demands placed upon her by the men in her life. Polonius instructs her to reject Hamlet's advances, while Laertes warns her against getting too involved with him. This pressure to conform to the expectations of others leaves Ophelia feeling isolated and confused, setting the stage for her eventual breakdown. As Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet deteriorates, we see her emotions become increasingly erratic and unstable. She is torn between her love for Hamlet and her loyalty t...
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