Daddy Issues

I've been  left bewildered as to whether or not there is any love in Ophelia and Hamlet's roller coaster of a relationship simply because we are introduced to these two characters at a very odd point in their lives and they both do not ever listen to their own hearts. Hamlet's mind is being seduced by his father's sexist ghost and Ophelia, while being a strong female literary character for Shakespeare's time is still a very obedient, you could even say brainwashed daughter. The love letter Hamlet wrote to Ophelia which is revealed by Polonius, is beautifully written and very poetic. This was written while he was in Wittenberg, when his father was still alive. You can definitely tell they love each other here or at least that Hamlet loves Ophelia because the letter rhymes. Rhymes are associated with "verses of feigning love" because of this it is seen as the principal language of love, as well magic and spells and Shakespeare uses it as so. Ok, so their love is honest and true at one point but then Hamlet's world is turned upside down and the importance of his father's vengeance takes total control of his mind and subsequently his heart. You can see this is true when Hamlet goes all Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on Ophelia during Act 3 Scene 1." 'I did love you once." 'Indeed, my lord you made me believe so.' 'You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.' " (III. i. 115-119) How could Hamlet of gone from being so mushy to such a jerk in such a short amount of time you may ask? Well that's what I asked too. I contemplated the well known fact that all men are assholes but then I thought that maybe the generalization of an entire gender may be a tad naive of me and also not a strong enough fact to be the basis of my opinion. Then I contemplated hormones which could have played a factor, but then I realized that Hamlet had already forgotten about his feigning love for Ophelia because he was too focused on his father's goals. Even if there was some hidden code embedded in his verses telling Ophelia not to believe what he was saying it does not matter because if he truly loved her he would not be messing with her head no matter the circumstance.

Love to the point of insanity

During the play Hamlet, we witness the young couple Hamlet and Ophelia share their stories with us, but to an extend, there are a lot of mixed emotions going on. Many may agree that Hamlet loves Ophelia, while some may disagree with that fact, I however, agree that Hamlet does love Ophelia.

Up to the 'Nunnery scene' everything that Hamlet did with Ophelia showed how much he truly loved her, for instance if we take a look at the letters he sent her, they show how crazy in love he was. 

 “Doubt thou the stars are fire,

 Doubt that the sun doth move,

 Doubt truth to be a liar,

 But never doubt I love.

 O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not art to reckon my groans, but that I love thee 

    best, oh, most best, believe it. Adieu." (Act II, Scene II, 115 - 121)

Till this point all we see from Hamlet is just pure love to Ophelia, but what's to come is the cause of us wondering if he truly ever loved her or not. During Act III, Scene 1, While Polonius and Claudius hang out in the back to creep on Ophelia and Hamlet, Hamlet mentions than he does NOT love Ophelia, but that he did once love her. "This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof, I did love you once" (Act III, Scene I, 114 - 115). But as we all know, this is just Hamlet being the trickster he is, since he has doubts that her father is still watching them, he tells Ophelia to get to a nunnery, which to our perspective, is absolutely no act of love "Get thee to a nunnery, why, wouldst thou be a  breeder of sinners?" (Act III, Scene I, 121 - 122) But Hamlet asks her not to believe him several time throughout this scene "You should have not believed me" (Act III, Scene I, 117) "We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us." (Act III, Scene I, 129 - 130) , even before he started the nunnery scene and was ending  his soliloquy when he told her "The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd" (Act III, Scene I, 89 - 90). Hamlet did all of this in order for him to protect Ophelia from what's about to happen, while maintaining his 'madness', he hints that something bad is going to happen to a married couple, except one of them, and him telling her to go to a nunnery was him trying to get her out of this whole situation, like putting her in a safe place. "I say we will have no mo marriage. Those that are married already--all but one--shall live; the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go." (Act III, Scene II, 149 - 151). Both of them loved each other, even during 'madness' Hamlet still pointed out that he loves her and their love drove her to insanity too, even at her final moments, she was still mentioning Hamlet and how he said he loved her. 

I agree with a point that Drew mentioned " Hamlet sounds like he's telling Ophelia she is crazy and she should never have babies for they will be evil. That is what Ophelia perceives until later on in the play when she realized that Hamlet meant that he cares for her and would let no man love her, but himself. " this explains how Hamlet always really never meant to hurt her but it was all just a huge misunderstanding that lead to Ophelia's death.


Yo Breaton, I have no idea what's up with the formatting and why it has a white background sort of thing there, I tried fixing it but nothing's really changing.

Ophelia.. We feel ya

Young love is always tricky. Most adolescents are figuring themselves out, and are unsure of what they truly want. Even the brightest of them can find themselves perplexed when it comes to the love game. In Shakespeare's Hamlet we see this complexity in the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. Their relationship is questionable, and a question that arises from the play is whether or not Hamlet and Ophelia are truly in love with one another. I am of the opinion that their love is true.

Their relationship is first introduces in Act 1 Scene 3 when Laertes is advising her sister to stay away from Hamlet because guys only want one thing. Her response unfortunately doesn't help us in answering the big question. She doesn't defend Hamlet or his intentions, all she does is tell Laertes not to be a hypocrite.  Later in the scene when her father offers her the same advice she says "My lord, he hath importun'd me with love in honourable fashion"(I.iii.110-111). Ophelia has no reason to lie to her father about Hamlets love at this moment. The next important scene in the nunnery scene. Here it can be argued that Hamlet is either trying to protect Ophelia because he loves her or that he is ending things with her. There are a couple reasons I believe in the prior theory. First off, before Hamlet begins his assault he says "Soft you now, the fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd"(III.i.88-90). If Hamlet truly meant what he said why would he pray for her. Likewise, Hamlet tells Ophelia several times not to believe him and that he is a liar. Hamlet is no fool, he was sent here and he has his suspicions that he is being spied on, that's why he asks Ophelia where her father is.

The nunnery scene alone is not enough to answer the question of whether or not Hamlet and Ophelia are truly in love. In that scene the two lacked the privacy to speak honestly. In the next scene however we see the two going back in forth during the privacy of the play. Hamlet and Ophelia share sexual innuendos and inappropriate banter that at the time could of gotten them in a lot of trouble. Especially Ophelia. Yet she takes the risk and engages Hamlet and flirts with him. They have a clear attraction and there is even evidence to suggest that they might have a sexual relationship. Ophelia is told numerous times to hold onto her chastity, however she might have already lost it to Hamlet.
Their is evidence to suggest this when we see Ophelia go crazy after Hamlet kills her father. She sings "Tomorrow is Saint Valentine's day...and I a maid at your window, to be your Valentine...let in the maid that out a maid never departed more"(IV.X.48-55). Here Ophelia could perhaps be alluding to her and Hamlet. She also sings "Young men will do't if they come to't-by Cock, they are to blame. Quoth she, 'Before you tumbled me you promis'd me to wed'. He answers, 'So I a done, by yonder sun, and thou hadst not come to my bed'"(IX.V.60-66). Ophelia could very well be retelling her past experiences with Hamlet. We know that whenever the "sun" is mentioned Hamlet is being referred to.
Ophelia clearly has a special place for Hamlet in her heart. As for Hamlet, at this point in the play it is harder to say for sure whether or not he feels the exact same. He tries to protect Ophelia, and seems to have a great time flirting with her. He also might have had sexual relations with her so it is not too far fetched to say that he loves her.

These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends

In the play Hamlet, William Shakespeare demonstrates some interesting and complex relationships, the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia being the hardest to unravel. It is apparent that Hamlet did love Ophelia at one point, in his letters he says, 

        Doubt thou the stars are fire,

        Doubt that the sun doth move,

        Doubt truth to be a liar,

        But never doubt I love (II.ii.115-18)

The way that Hamlet speaks, of the stars, universe and sun, in such a conceptual manner is a stereotype of people in love. People in love speak of moving planets, and loving someone as much as the distance to the moon. Although it is possible that Hamlet is aware of this and writes this way on purpose, the structure of the letter is abnormal for Shakespeare. These four lines of Hamlet’s letter rhyme, which Shakespeare does not do very often, however rhyming is usually passed between lovers, as seen many times in Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet rhyme often when in the company of one another, including the balcony scene in which they say, “Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow/That I shall say good night till it be morrow (II.ii.1888-189).” It is common knowledge that Romeo and Juliet are in love, and they rhyme more often than any other characters in Shakespeare’s plays, therefore we can attribute rhyming to being in love. Shakespeare has Hamlet rhyme in his letter to Ophelia, thus proving that he loves her in act II. Furthermore Hamlet says in his letter, “Doubt truth to be a liar (II.ii117)”.  This is foreshadowing that Hamlet is going to assure Ophelia that he is telling her the truth when in fact, he is actually lying to her. Many times in act III, scene I of Hamlet, Hamlet tells Ophelia not to believe him, which is a subtle hint that he hopes Polonius and Claudius will not pick up on. Also in scene ii, of act III, Hamlet and Ophelia share many dirty jokes implying that they have had sex. In this era, one only has pre-marital sex if they are a super-douche or plan to marry their partner. Although Hamlet is a self-absorbed, procrastinating brat, I would not go as far as to call Hamlet a super-douche. I believe that Hamlet does truly love Ophelia, but that he loves his father too, and during the play his priority is revenge for his father not his love for Ophelia. This would explain why he is so much more loving towards Ophelia in the letters which were supposedly written before Hamlet sr.’s murder, than during the actual play.

I agree with Toni’s point of view, when she says, “I think that Hamlet did love Ophelia at one point, but because of his quest to find out the truth about his fathers' death, he become so absorbed in himself that he lost touch with the people that really mattered to him.” Hamlet is not able to compartmentalize, so when he is focused on one thing, that is all he is focused on; meaning that when his father needs to be avenged, his love for anyone else is forgotten. This is also proven in III,iii, when Hamlet has to convince himself to not kill his mother. It seems from their exchange that Hamlet and Gertrude have a very close relationship, but Hamlet was almost willing to sacrifice his mother on the path to avenge his father.

For Is Thy Love Lost?

In the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare we come to an opinionated predicament towards the love between Hamlet and Ophelia. Lost love, current love or future love, these are the many different opinions towards Hamlet and Ophelia’s love for each other. But what is love? We have all asked this question to ourselves at one point or another in our lives. Love is the intimate emotional connection between human’s, with the result of an intense feeling of deep affection. After further investigation in the text I believe, despite Hamlet and Ophelia’s primary motives, that they do truly love each other.

Before Hamlet learned of his father’s murder, he and Ophelia were interested in each other. “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me”(Act i,iii, 99-100).  Ophelia is telling her father that Hamlet has been showing his affection to her. This shows that Hamlet is interested in her and Ophelia in him. She asks her father for advice on the matter, while truly not knowing to pursue her love for Hamlet, for she does not know what to think. “I do not know, my lord, what I should think”(Act i,iii, 104). Despite their interest for one another Ophelia's primary focus is her loyalty to her father and once Hamlet learned about his father’s murder, his primary focus is revenge. This interferes with their love for one another, but their love shines through. The true start of their relationship begins with Hamlet’s love letters. With his primary focus in mind, Hamlet starts to write love letters to trick everyone into thinking he loves Ophelia. As he was writing, his true emotions emerged. “Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love ”(Act ii, ii, 115-118). This proves Hamlet’s deep love for Ophelia while still staying focused on his primary goal. Hamlet doubts many things including the sun, which can be argued to be highly looked upon when swearing against it, but never doubts his love for Ophelia. She did repel these letters as of the command of her father, but she did feel Hamlet’s love for her. “And with them words of so sweet breath compos’d as made the things more rich”(Act iii,i,98-99). During this scene Hamlet speaks in code, for he knows that this is a trap set up by Polonius and Claudius. Stilling having his main goal in mind, he appears to be expressing no love for Ophelia, but is secretly expressing his love for her. “Get thee to a nunnery. Why, wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?”(Act iii,i,121-122). Hamlet sounds like he's telling Ophelia she is crazy and she should never have babies for they will be evil. That is what Ophelia perceives until later on in the play when she realized that Hamlet meant that he cares for her and would let no man love her, but himself. Ophelia and Hamlet start to flirt with each other in Act iii scene ii during the mousetrap play. Therefore taking their relationship to the next more sexual level. “Lady, shall I lie in your lap?”(Act iii,ii,).

After reading through the text and analyzing Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship, I believe that they are in love. They may not put their primary motives aside for love, but their beautiful love shines through the madness. I just wish their was a happy ending. :)



Comment in response to Marcus: In Marcus's blog, he talked about how Hamlet and Ophelia could have been sleeping together before hand. "To be your valentine. Then up he rose, and donn'd his clo'es, and dupp'd the chamber door, Let in the maid that out a maid Never departed more" (IIII, iiiii, 51-55). I found this to be a great point, and I wish I thought of it and put in the beginning of my blog. Great thinking Marcus!!!!

Crazy In Love

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, two people have come together and fallen in love. Those two people are Hamlet and Ophelia. Although there are many instances where the reader could say that Hamlet does not love her and just uses her, there are even more instances where he shows his love for her. It may not be as direct as "I love you" but the thought is still there in Hamlet's mind. The first example of Hamlet's love for Ophelia is when he is speaking to her in Act three. It seems like he doesn't love her, but when he said "I did love you once" (III, i, 115). In this line, he is telling her that he loved her but after that, tells her that he never loved her. He seems to flip flop in this conversation. He knows he is being watched so he can't express his true feelings for Ophelia. Later in the conversation, Hamlet tells Ophelia to go to a nunnery, "Go thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners" (III, i, 121-122). He seems like he is insulting her or mocking her but in reality, he is trying to protect her. A nunnery, by definition, is a place where a woman's chastity would be safe. If Ophelia were to bring a baby into that world, Hamlet was sure that the baby would be a sinner. If she is in a nunnery, she would be safe from the cruelties of the outside world and all of its negative influences. Throughout the entire play, Hamlet is trying to confuse everyone and make them believe things that aren't true so why would he treat Ophelia any different especially if he knows that everyone is watching them? A third piece of evidence is Hamlet's letter to Ophelia. Hamlet had said in the letter "never doubt I love" (II, ii, 118). He says tat he loves her. This was the last time that Hamlet revealed his true love for Ophelia in plain text before her death. He said in the letter that even though everything else may not seem true around her, that his love was true. After Ophelia showed the letter to Polonius, Hamlet knew that he had to hide his feelings from her and everyone else, but there is no doubt that his feelings were true. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, it is evident that Hamlet's love for Ophelia is true and unquestionable. It is seen when Hamlet was trying to protect her by requesting that she go to a nunnery, when he tells her that he did love her once, and through his love letters to her.  Although he might not have expressed it all the time, he feelings were always there between the lines.


Comment: I agree with what Toni said when she made the point of Hamlet and Ophelia at the end of Act 2 Scene 3 when the two lovers exchanged "dirty wordplay" and how Hamlet knew that Ophelia loved him but seems to have moved on because a woman's love is so brief. What I gathered from this point was that Hamlet was truly interested in knowing if Ophelia loved him or not because he loved her and hoped she felt the same.

Lovers gonna love love love

Love Between Two Human Vessels: Hamlet and Ophelia

       Love is found in many stories and plays throughout time. The play, "Hamlet", written by William Shakespeare demonstrates true love between Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet and Ophelia's love may be difficult to view at first but once you take a deeper look into the text you can see that it is a love pure and true. Hamlet demonstrates his love for Ophelia while in the foyer when he tells her that she must stay away from him. Hamlet specifically says, "I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck than I have thought to put them in... We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery" (III. i. 124-130). Hamlet is trying to protect Ophelia from his revenge against the king. He warns her that he is proud, revengeful, ambitious and with many offences to come. He wishes to protect her from the repercussions that may occur succeeding murder. He protects her due to his love for her. He then says to believe no man and go to nunnery because he loves her and although he cannot have her with another man because it may send him into jealousy. He would like to protect her chastity assuming she still obtains it and have her safe from other males of this era. Hamlet throughout this scene wishes for her to remain chaste and pure. He tells her not to believe him while he tells her he does not love her, and before he tells Ophelia that she is a slut and naive he apologizes for what he must do. Hamlet says, "The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd" (III.i.89-90). He wishes for her to forgive her and wishes for her not to believe what he is about to say. Ophelia demonstrates her love for Hamlet in the next scene which occurs but a few hours later. In the proceeding scene Hamlet and Ophelia flirt incessantly and Ophelia demonstrates no prolonged irritation towards Hamlet. Hamlet and Ophelia have a deep connection due to their love and she forgave him instantly because she quickly understood what was going on. Ophelia says, "You are naught, you are naught. I'll mark the play" (III. ii. 140). Ophelia throughout the scene is flirting with Hamlet and is now calling him naughty. If Ophelia was still angry with him, which she would be had she not be in love, she would not flirt with him, especially in public. Hamlet and Ophelia demonstrate their love throughout the play, particularly when Hamlet apologizes while trying to protect her, and Ophelia with her forgiveness and how open and the sexual innuendoes of which she shares throughout the mousetrap play. Their love is evident and persists throughout the play which is demonstrated with Hamlets madness when he cannot see her and continues until her death which is caused by madness due to Hamlet. Their love has driven them both mad at one point or another and is persistent.

Comment upon Brady's Blog:

I concur with Brady Harkness, when he states that Hamlet would not go to such lengths to protect Ophelia if he did not love her. Brady has a clear argument and is very logical. He also comments that Hamlet would not have asked for forgiveness had it been irrelevant. I agree because Hamlet is the smartest character and a master of words. He would not bother to have asked for forgiveness within his soliloquy had he not truly meant it.

[ Creative Title Here ]

       

         In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" we are introduced to a young couple composed of Hamlet and Ophelia. To some they appear to be madly in love, to others Hamlet is just using her for.... stuff. In my opinion Hamlet and Ophelia are involve but in a strange way. If I were to put it in too a smaller metaphor Hamlet and Ophelia are like that annoying grade nine couple you see in the hallway where it's obvious that he's more in love with her than she is to him. The interesting part to me about this is the fact that Hamlet is more into Ophelia than she is to him in the early acts of the play but as the play goes on you can see a shift in the relationship where Ophelia becomes just as madly in love with Hamlet as he was to her. Now allow me to explain what I really mean by my crazy rambling.

        The first point at which the thought of "maybe she's not as into him as he is to her" entered my head is in the scene where the mouse trap play is taking place. The reason this line of thinking came into my head is because it is very easy to see that he wants to do....stuff.... to her  as proven by this quote "It would cost you a groaning to take off mine edge" (III, ii, 234). This quote shows Hamlet is very sexually attracted to Ophelia because this line is just one part of a rather large conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia in which he shamelessly talks dirty to her "lady shall I lie in your lap?" (III. ii. 102) this proves that he feels a desire for intimacy with Ophelia but she does not as evidenced by her response "No, my lord." (III. ii. 103). To expand on this is very difficult given that fact that this is a pretty cut and dry situation, Hamlet is attracted to Ophelia and she is not in the same mind set at this point in the play. Also if you need proof that Hamlet is not just sexually attracted to Ophelia but emotionally invested in her read Genna's post because on quote she references says “never doubt I love” (II.ii.118), this is the most blatantly obvious statement of Hamlets love for Ophelia in the play and further proves my point.

        The interesting part to me is that as the play goes on we see Ophelia become crazy. Although her ever increasing levels of craziness can be attributed to a number of things like the murder of her father as evidenced by the "songs" she begins to sing in the later parts of the play 

"He is dead and gone,lady,

 He is dead and gone;

 At his head a grass-green turf,

 At his heels a stone."(IV. v. 29-32)

In this song it is apparent that she is not coping with the death of her father well at all and this could be part of the reason that she has gone coo coo for coco puffs and this will (SPOILER) lead to her death eventually. But in my opinion the main part she has snapped is because Hamlet is gone and she questions if he even ever did love her in another song.

"How should I your true love know

From another one?

By his cockle hat and staff,

And his sandle shoon."(IV. v. 23-26)

This song shows that Ophelia is doesn't think Hamlet truly ever loved her and she is wondering about the fact that he may have just been using her for sex as evidenced by another song.

"To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s Day,

All in the morning betime,

And I a maid at your window,

To be your Valentine.

Then up he rose, and donn’ed his clothes,

and dupp’d the chamber-door;

let in the maid, that out a maid

never departed more."(IV. v. 48-54)

This is the song that shows where Ophelia is truly wondering if she was more than just a sexual outlet for Hamlet and at the same time shows that she really is/was in love with Hamlet and now that he is gone she is not dealing with it well.

        In conclusion I feel that through the play we as readers get to see an evolving relationship that begins with one loving the other more and through the play they do both become equally smitten with one an other and I feel that if you know they both hadn't died they would have made the worlds best power couple.

Comment: In response to Austin I agree with your point that he does love and care for her through the play. Also I think you point about trying to woo Ophelia with intelligence during the play is very creative because I did not even think to interpret it like that but rather as Hamlet just further advancing his attempts to prove the guilt of Claudius but after reading your post my view on that scene has shifted dramatically.

Beaton: I can't figure out the color thing please don't take off marks :)

In Love or Not in Love? - The Dynamics of Hamlet and Ophelia

In the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, there is an interesting couple, with a somewhat confusing dynamic. At times is can be questionable whether the love between the main character, Hamlet and his 'lady' Ophelia is real, but examining certain points in the play makes it apparent that this love is real and thriving.

One point we begin to question Hamlet's love for Ophelia, and this is during the nunnery scene. Hamlet states: "Get thee to a nunnery"(III.i.121). At first glance the reader can interpret this as Hamlet telling her to leave and be shameful, but after looking into it one can see that Hamlet is trying to protect Ophelia, because he loves her. Hamlet is telling Ophelia to go away, not because he loves her, but to make sure that she doesn't get affected in any way by the potential repercussions of Hamlet's plan to kill Claudius. Hamlet is looking out for Ophelia's best interest, not sending her away because he does not want her around. Another time that we see that Hamlet and Ophelia's love is true is closer to the beginning of the same act, when Hamlet states “Soft you now, the fair Ophelia! Nymph in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd” (III.i.88-90). Hamlet is apologising to Ophelia in advance for anything that might happen to her or around her. This shows that their love is true because Hamlet would not apologise to anyone that he didn't love the same way as he loves Ophelia. For example, Hamlet loves his mother, but he did not apologise to her the way he apologises to Ophelia because he loves Ophelia that much more than his mother. Finally, we see that Hamlet and Ophelia truly love each other when Ophelia speaks to her father, Polonuis, about her and Hamlet's relationship. Ophelia states:"He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders/Of his affection to me." (I.iii.99-100) she is telling her father that he truly shows affection towards her and that she enjoys his affection.

After examining the first four acts of the play and actually reading into what is being said by the characters, we can truly see that the love between Hamlet and Ophelia is real and they truly want to be together.

RESPONSE TO DAMON'S BLOG POST

I agree with Damon's post completely. I agree that Hamlet is trying to get Ophelia to a "safe haven" (the nunnery) and I agree that Hamlet shows her a lot of affection based upon what Ophelia was saying to her father. At first glance I didn't think of it in a way that Hamlet was trying to keep Hamlet safe, but after re-examining the context and ways it was stated, I agree with that statement.

Hamlet and Ophelia Sittin' In a Tree...

            In the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, we find two individuals who are in love, but don't show it like the conventional couple. Allow me to elaborate: Hamlet is acting as though he has lost his mind, and has written love letters to Ophelia, (only to have them returned) and has pretty much announced his love for her. The part in the play where Hamlet's love for her comes into question is the nunnery scene. This scene relies a lot on interpretation, but from my point of view, Hamlet is doing this for Ophelia's benefit. He tells her: "Get thee to a nunnery." (III.i.121) If you're interpreting this as a sign of love and worry, then you know that Hamlet intends for her to be kept within the sanctuary of a coven. He wants to keep her safe from any future mishappenings that may occur in the future. Hamlet also thinks that they are being listened too, so he could have used the above line to make it SOUND like he was calling her... something less than proper... when in reality he was watching out for her.

Another point where it's evident that Hamlet and Ophelia are in love is during the Mousetrap Play. They are in the audience, within earshot of everyone, yet they have the cover of the noise around them to freely flirt and exchange 'country-like' pleasantries. Hamlet flirts with Ophelia by saying: "That's a fair thought to lie between maid's legs." (III.ii.117) It is obvious that Hamlet's mind is in the gutter, but he says it in such an intellectual manner that he's obviously trying to impress her. Ophelia then states: "You are nought, you are nought." (III.ii.143) It can be seen that Ophelia is flirting back with Hamlet by referring to him as "naughty".  Near the end of their flirtacious conquest, she promptly responds with: "You're as good as a chorus." (III.ii.240) Possibly meaning that she thinks he's smooth with his words, and is very impressive in terms of his suave personality.

All in all, Hamlet and Ophelia are in love despite Hamlet's feigned state of mind. He truly wants to look out for her and cares very deeply for her.

COMMENT:
When reading Genna's blog, her first point was very interesting when she discusses the letter that Hamlet wrote to Ophelia that said: "Never doubt I love". Not only does he state that he loves her, but he's basically telling her that even though things are going to seem out of the ordinary in the near future, never doubt that my love for you is still there. I like this point and I would've never thought of it on my own!

In Love, or Not in Love, That is the Question...

       In the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, the protagonist Hamlet has an interesting relationship with his apparent love interest names Ophelia. At first glance, it seems like they are a young couple who are completely in love with each other, but when analyzing the dialogue between the two, you could say that they are just kids fooling around. I think that Hamlet did love Ophelia at one point, but because of his quest to find out the truth about his fathers' death, he become so absorbed in himself that he lost touch with the people that really mattered to him. For example, in act two scene one, Ophelia runs to Polonius all scared and sad because Hamlet had just gone into her room and was acting like he was crazy in love with her. Hamlet knew that if he freaked Ophelia out enough, she would go running to her father and tell him that Hamlet was crazy which was part of his plan. To Hamlet, Ophelia was just a pawn in ultimate plan to reveal the truth about Claudius and his father. Also, during the nunnery scene in act three scene one, Hamlet says, "I did love you once." (III.i.115) and then four lines later, he says, "I loved you not." (III.i.119). Throughout the play, Hamlet is in the verge of crossing over the line to insanity and I think at this moment, he finally snaps. He is so caught up in his plans and games, that he actually becomes mad and starts saying stuff that he doesn't mean. When Hamlet says, "Get thee to a nunnery."(III.i.121), it could be interpreted many ways. I do think that he meant that Ophelia should go seek a place of safety so that she wouldn't get hurt from what he was about to do, which shows that he still cares for her, but just because you care about someone doesn't mean that you're in love with them. If he was really in love with her, I think he could of found a nicer and less ambiguous way to tell her to go find safety. At the end of scene three act two, Ophelia and Hamlet exchange some dirty wordplay which suggests that they could still have feelings for each other, but then Ophelia says, "'Tis brief, my lord." which Hamlet replies, "As woman's love." (III.ii.148-149). This shows that Hamlet might think that Ophelia did love him, but that a woman's love is so brief that she has already moved on. With all the tricks and the characters that Hamlet plays whether it be crazy in love Hamlet, or just crazy Hamlet, it eventually leads Ophelia into madness as well which is demonstrated in act four scene seven when Gertrude recounts the death of Ophelia. Gertrude says that Ophelia was out making flower crowns when a tree branch snapped and tossed her into the stream below. Ophelia was so out of it that she didn't even realize that she was drowning and like carried on singing and playing with flowers. If you love someone, you do not push them to the point where they are full off the wall crazy. Ophelia is actually NUTS and it is all because of Hamlet and his on and off "love" for her. In conclusion, I think that the love between Hamlet and Ophelia once existed, but because of Hamlet and his obsession with finding out the truth, he lost touch with who mattered to him and ultimately fell out of love with Ophelia.

Comment in response to Christie:
I agree with what Christie when she said, "Hamlet and Ophelia demonstrate multiple signs of love towards one another throughout the play...Hamlet's actions influence Ophelia's emotions and vice versa." They do seem to share many inside jokes and seem very comfortable with each other which hints at the fact that they do have history together. Whether the relationship was a thing of the past, or if the feelings are still mutual, there is no denying that they once did love each other. I never noticed how Hamlets' actions and emotions influenced Ophelia and vice versa but it is interesting to see the natural connection that occurs between the two.

If I Didn’t Love You, I Wouldn’t Have Told You To Become A Nun - Hamlet 1598

The Conspiracy on Hamlet’s Love For Ophelia, and Vice Versa, Explained.

 

In my own conceit, I think that Hamlet and Ophelia are two peas in a pod, they definitely love each other. There are many instances where we see that Hamlet shows his love for Ophelia, and she returns it right back. For Hamlet, his love for Ophelia is shown throughout the novel. An example of Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is within the letter that Polonius reads aloud for Gertrude, when he is trying to prove that Hamlet is mad in love. “Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love” (II.ii.115-119), Hamlet is essentially saying that Ophelia can doubt anything she wants to; the stars being fire, the sun moving, truth being lies, but he tells her to never doubt his love. To never give it a second thought if it could be true or not. This is essentially where he confesses his love to her always being true! As a reciprocal to show her love for Hamlet, Ophelia tries to back up Hamlet and herself when Polonius is questioning Hamlet’s love for her, whether it’s genuine or not. “My lord, he hath importun’d me with love In honourable fashion” (I.iii.110-111). She tells him Hamlet treats her well and his love is seen to be genuine by her. Why would she be trying to back up Hamlet and support him if she didn’t truly love him? Therefore, the quotation is fully supportive of Ophelia’s love for Hamlet. Another point in the play where Hamlet confirms the fact that he loves Ophelia would be the scene when he tells Ophelia to go to a nunnery. At first, it seems like Hamlet is mocking Ophelia and actually trying to tell her to go to a whorehouse, when in fact, Hamlet is only trying to preserve Ophelia for his own good and future marriage (III.i.121-151).  He also threatens to curse her if she decides to get married (III.i.136-137), he doesn’t want her to get married because he wants her to wait for him. Hamlet, at this point in the novel, doesn’t want any of his actions to conflict with the thoughts and feelings of Ophelia, that’s why he wants her to get to a nunnery, where it is safe, and she can secure herself for him without having to worry about what’s going on between him, Claudius and Polonius. As he says, he is going to complete a dangerous action, the murdering of Claudius “All but one shall live, the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go.” (III.i.150-151), he’s only looking out for her. In reaction to this, Ophelia seems to think that Hamlet has insulted her, or, has indirectly insulted her by telling her to go to a nunnery. If that is what she concludes, then in the next scene, there is yet another proof Ophelia loves Hamlet. During the Mousetrap Play, Hamlet and Ophelia seem to have no tension between each other, the only type of tension that is viewable is sexual tension. They exchange flirtatious jokes and Ophelia seems to have already forgiven Hamlet for his misbehaviours (III.ii.110-133). This acquires further insight to Ophelia’s love for Hamlet. If she didn’t love him, she wouldn’t have forgiven him that quickly, because he did say some pretty outrageous things about his feelings for her in the antecedent scene. Another instance where we see that Hamlet has seized a love for Ophelia would be within his soliloquy,  "The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd." (III.i.89-90). Believe it or not, but Hamlet is asking Ophelia for forgiveness for what he is about to do. This could potentially have multiple meanings, seeing as a death of one of Ophelia’s family members is just around the corner, but he requires her forgiveness anyways. Even if what he is about to do doesn't have any affect towards her, he still wants her to forgive all of the bad things he has done. So this solidifies the fact that Hamlet and Ophelia do in fact, share a young love. Consider this conspiracy about their love, solved.

 

Comment:

In response to Brady’s argument, I agree with what he says about Hamlet’s soliloquy showing his love for Ophelia. If he truly did not love her, why would he bother to be asking her for forgiveness, and to be included in her prayers.  He seems to be going out of his way to achieve Ophelia’s forgiveness and is concerned about what she thinks about him. Hamlet just wants her to have positive thoughts, and Brady proves this well in his blog entry, he successfully shows the connection between the two young lovers confirming the fact that they love each other.

 

 



Hamlet and Ophelia are in love. Idc what you think.

In William Shakespeare's play “Hamlet”, It is indisputable that the relationships of the characters to one another can be seen in different perspectives. In my opinion, I think that Ophelia and Hamlet are truly in love. There are several passagedsthroughout the play that proves the love between Hamlet and Ophelia. When Ophelia's father, Polonius was discussing with Ophelia in regards to her relationship with Hamlet and his sanity, Ophelia says “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me.” (I.iii. 99-100). As loyal as Ophelia is to her father, she is willing to stand up for Hamlet. Not only does this prove Hamlets love to Ophelia, but the risk itself in standing up to Hamlet to her father shows her love towards Hamlet too.  In the nunnery scene.  As the play continues we learn more and more about the relationship between the two. We learn that Hamlet is looking out for Ophelia by trying to keep her out of harms way. "Get thee to a nunnery. Why, wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners" (III. i.121-122). Not only does this passage shows that Hamlet and Ophelia may of had sexual intercourse or intended on having it (Showing true love), but it suggests that Hamlet is trying to keep Ophelia away from future problems.. Prior to this, Hamlet says during his soliloquy, “The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd." (III.i.89-90). Hamlet asks for Ophelia's forgiveness for what has happened already and for future events. He also mentions Nymphs. They are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing. There are several folk tales regarding Nymphs, such as “Dryope and The Nymphs”. It is a little unclear whether or not he is calling Ophelia a nymph, but if he is, he is correlating Ophelia to this beautiful, young maiden who loves to sing. (which sounds like Ophelia to me).  Also, the fact that he asks for Ophelia's forgiveness when he is alone shows that he is truly sincere and honest about having her forgiveness. If Ophelia was on stage at the time he said that, one could argue that he was not sincere or honest and that he was truly, pretending. When Ophelia returns Hamlets love letters and poems back to Hamlet, one can notice that Ophelia saw Hamlets love through the letters. “and with them words of so sweet breath composed as made the things more rich.” (III.i.98-99). We see that she really takes the letters to heart not only because of what she says to Hamlet, but the way she says it. It was in a poetic tone. Why talk poetically to someone you don't love? All in all, Ophelia and Hamlet are in love. Trust me..

Response to Rico

When you said Hamlet wants Ophelia to go to the nunnery not only to protect her, but to also so that she is not affected by his actions. I really didn't look at it that way. I thought it was more of what was going to happen to Ophelia in general. You pointed out that he wanted to protect her from his future actions and any problems he may create. Now that I think of it this way, I can see where exactly you are coming from. His plot to kill Claudius etc..  I can see why he wouldn't want her to be there for when it happens.

Hamlet and Ophelia in Love

In my opinion, Hamlet and Ophelia do love one another. Although there seems to be a lot of evidence saying that Hamlet never loved Ophelia and was just using her, I feel that there is even more evidence invalidating those notions. One instance that reveals Hamlet’s true love for Ophelia is when Polonius is reading Hamlet’s letter to Ophelia to the King and Queen. It reads, “never doubt I love” (II.ii.118). In this letter Hamlet literally states that he loves Ophelia, it can’t get much clearer than that. He is saying that even though not everything around her is true, she can always believe that his love for her is real. Hamlet wrote this letter to Ophelia before he even started to play his tricks on everybody. To me, this seems like the moment in the play where Hamlet truly divulges his innermost feelings. This letter is given to Ophelia in confidence, even though she does end up giving it up to her father. This letter is a private love letter, so, Hamlet really has no reason to lie in it. Another instance is when Hamlet says to Ophelia, “I did love you” (III.i.115). Hamlet says that he loved her, but then says that he never loved her. Of course this is when Hamlet has started with his games and it is completely plausible that he is just trying to cause confusion by saying this. This could be because Hamlet suspects that people are watching them, after all, it wouldn't be very difficult to figure that out and Hamlet is an intellect. Ophelia’s love for Hamlet is revealed in the very same conversation when she says, “And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,

That sucked the honey of his music vows,Now see that noble and most sovereign reason Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;That unmatched form and feature of blown youth

Blasted with ecstasy. Oh, woe is me” (III.i.157-163). Hamlet has said he doesn't love her and she is heartbroken. Why would she be so upset about a man that she doesn't even love rejecting her? Ophelia must love Hamlet, she states that she is miserable when she hears him speak. She’s not only upset for herself, but she’s concerned for Hamlet. Another example is when Hamlet and Ophelia speak again during the mousetrap play. Even though Hamlet has clearly insulted her in the previous scenes,him and Ophelia spend the whole time flirting with one another. Hamlet makes dirty joke after dirty joke and Ophelia just giggles like a schoolgirl. Ophelia was so easily able to forgive Hamlet after the cruel things he said to her, she flirts with him saying, “You are naught, you are naught” (III.ii.143). Ophelia must truly love Hamlet in order to be referring to him as naughty so soon after he told her that he never loved her. Even through  difficult situations Hamlet and Ophelia really do seem to love each other.

Comment - I liked Renée’s last point where she said that Hamlet wanted Ophelia to go to a nunnery for protection. I’d never thought of it like that, but it makes sense. Since everything he’s saying has so many different meanings it’s hard to understand what he truly means when he says certain things. I liked the idea that maybe he wasn't being completely mean and he genuinely wanted to protect her from something.

I Love You Babe, I Swear -Hamlet 1599

A Contextual Analysis Pertaining to the Verity of a Lover's Relationship; The Hamlet Clause 

   
      When it comes to the relationship between the characters Hamlet and Ophelia in the eponymous play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, it is evident that the pair of lovers did in fact love each other. However it is not completely obvious and requires further analysis to fully understand. There are many instances that could be used to argue that Hamlet loves Ophelia, such as her recounting of Hamlet's mad entrance into her chambers in Act II, scene i lines 77-84. However it isn't blatantly clear whether or not this is merely a ploy by Hamlet to convey his feigned madness. Instead, there are very specific instances within the play that cannot be taken in any other context, such as Hamlet's constant defense for Ophelia whether it be in conversation with Polonius or when he subtly tells her repeatedly to, "Get thee to a nunnery... I am myself indifferent honest" (III. i.121-122). This passage is his warning to Ophelia to protect herself against future events, and that she should not believe his outrage as he believes they're being eavesdropped upon. He would only go to these lengths to warn her out of an attachment for her, something that would not be present unless he did indeed love her. As well, when he is alone he says within a soliloquy, "The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd." (III.i.89-90). This wish for Ophelia to forgive him in her prayers would be irrelevant had he not loved her, but this need for forgiveness can only be found within his love for her. He evidently feels that his upcoming attack against Ophelia is a betrayal to their relationship, and wants to be forgiven in the hopes to remain on good terms with his love. When it comes to Ophelia, it is not evident whether or not she was keen to Hamlet's ploy; it is however evident that even after her rejection from Hamlet in act III, scene i, she continues to flirt with him right in front of her father and the King and Queen during the mousetrap play. Only true lovers can put the past behind them and continue with their true feelings, which is exactly what she is doing by acting playful with Hamlet. As well within the nunnery scene, Ophelia feels truly hurt when Hamlet denies his love letters, when she tells him, "My honour'd lord, you know right well you did, and with them words of so sweet breath compos'd as made the things more rich." (III.i.97-102). Ophelia speaks in poetic form when she describes the letters, meaning she truly took them to heart as a token of Hamlet's love. If she did not love him, this denial of the letters would not phase her. As well, every instance where she is being spoken to about Hamlet, she always defends him and never bashes him. After being denied within the nunnery scene, one would assume she would be bitter, but this isn't the case, even when she is in hysterics. Much is revealed withing her hysterical ravings, as she sings, "By Gis and by Saint Charity, Alack and fie for shame, young men will do't if they come to't- by cock, they are to blame. Quoth she, 'before you tumbled me, you promised me to wed." (IV.v.58-63). If this is to be taken in the first person, then surely Ophelia is speaking about Hamlet, because  no other previous love interest has been mentioned whatsoever of hers. This would imply that she had a coital relationship with Hamlet, something she would only do if she truly loved him as unmarried sex was a religious offense in her era. In summation, both Hamlet and Ophelia go to extraordinary lengths to hold their love together in a scenario where everyone around them is out to tear it apart. 'Tis truly a tale of two lovers.

Comment:

With Ricardo's argument, I agree with his point pertaining to the potential to use Ophelia as a hostage against Hamlet and how Hamlet's dismissal of their relationship is to avoid this. This is true with the argument that they are in fact lovers, because Hamlet would be cutting all ties that could be used against him in a conflict. A love like Ophelia would be the perfect stratagem against Hamlet, and the only reason that he dismissed the relationship was to avoid hurting her in collateral damage, and to protect himself as well, while still maintaining his love for her in secret.

Loves her, Lovers her not?

In my opinion, Hamlet really does love Ophelia. I have read many lines in the play that lead me to believe Hamlet and Ophelia are destined to be together. When Hamlet warns her to leave he acts in a very rude manner. All part of Hamlet’s plan to get Ophelia out of harms way and her virginity in safe keeping. All while telling her to leave he mentions that he did once love her.  “I did love you” (III.i.125). But not even four lines later he says he did not love her. I think he truly meant to say he did love her but had to say something else because of the fact that he was being watched. He was told to meet the king in the foyer only to find Ophelia ... coincidence? I think not.  Hamlet mentions Ophelia's father shortly after then follows with “Let the doors be shut upon him that he may play the fool nowhere but in ‘s own house” (III.i.143-44). Implying he knows Polonius is watching and he should go be a fool elsewhere. Hamlet is way too smart to be fooled this easily, he makes it seem like he does not love Ophelia to throw everybody else off. A second  reason as to why I find Hamlets love for Ophelia genuine is because he warms her to go to a nunnery, perhaps to shield her from potential danger but maybe it’s because she is bearing his future child. During Hamlets back and forth with Ophelia he mentions giving birth to a sin, ‘’Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?’’ Going to a nunnery is her safe haven, he wants to ensure her safety because he loves her and is worried about her well-being. Also keeping her out of harms way while he kills Claudius. The third reason that makes me believe in their love is the fact that Hamlet asks for her forgiveness. He know he must treat her bad in order to re-direct suspicion of their love elsewhere, he cares of what she thinks and wants to reassure she will forgive him. “Soft you now, the fair Ophelia! Nymph in thy orisons be all my sins remember'd” (III.i.88-90). Hamlet loves her enough to feel the need to apologize before hand, if he was not in love he would not have said a thing to her. My final reasoning as to why I agree with their love is because when Polonius asks Ophelia what is going on between Ophelia and Hamlet ‘’What is between you? Give me up the truth.’’ (III.4.99). Ophelia replies with ‘’He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me.’’ This means that Hamlet has given her plenty of affection. Although Polonius thinks it’s an excuse to get into Ophelia’s pants it is not, he was expressing his true feelings. It was just Hamlet alone with Ophelia when he was giving her affection, which leads me to believe his actions to be true.

Love me so

In the book by William Shakespeare "Hamlet" there are many questions asked if Hamlet and Ophelia love each other. It seems to me like they do really love each other. I believe this because of the way everything is written in the play. Hamlet goes crazy when he enters Ophelia's room all torn up "My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced;No hat upon his head; his stockings fouled, Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle;Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;And with a look so piteous in purportAs if he had been loosed out of hellTo speak of horrors—he comes before me”(II,i,77-84). I think this is the most important part of their love because he is going crazy over the fact that Polonius is not letting Ophelia see Hamlet and vice versa. Another huge part of them actually loving each other is when they are watching the play in the play mousetrap where they are just constantly flirting with one another saying”That’s a fair though to lie between maids’ legs/What is my lord?/Nothing/You are merry my lord/Who,I?Ay my lord/“(III,ii, 117-122) Ophelia flirts back as well when she says “You are as good as the Chorus”(III,ii,240). Furthermore in the beginning of the play I think that they had a relationship as well because it seems as the play goes on the more and more he cares about her and the more Polonius wants them apart because he is looking out for his daughter. To add on, the nunnery scene is important too because Hamlet does not want Ophelia to be involved in his plan on killing Claudius and he wants her to go to the nunnery for protection, “Go thy way to a nunnery”(III,i,130). In the end , Hamlet and Ophelia both love each other very much and care a lot about each other throughout this play. I think also that Ophelia helped Hamlet forget about what was going on and to make him more relaxed.

      Response to Christie

I agree with the last part from what you had commented saying "All of Hamlets actions influence Ophelia's emotions and vice versa. So they would have to be in love, because if they weren't they wouldn't care at all what the other did." Because if this wasn't true then the play would be completely different. As Hamlet would have not had another women figure in his life other than his mother, which we know he cares about a lot. . I think they both care about each other a lot, I just wished they had both survived to actually have a child together and maybe have a happy ending, i guess thats just for fairytales

Hamlet And Ophelia: Love Or Not?

Hamlet And Ophelia: Love Or Not?

Throughout the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, there has been numerous debate's wether Hamlet loves Ophelia, or not. With Hamlet's exceptional intelligence, and Ophelia's innocent personality, the argument can go in any direction. However, I believe that Hamlet has, and still does  love Ophelia in the play. firstly, there is evidence that Hamlet and Ophelia have had feelings for each other before the plot of the play started. On page 97, when Ophelia is crazy, and is singing she says "To be your valentine. Then up he rose, and donn'd his clo'es, and dupp'd the chamber door, Let in the maid that out a maid Never departed more" (IIII, iiiii, 51-55) which is evidence that Hamlet, and Ophelia have slept together before the plot of the play. I think that this line from Ophelia is significant because previously in the play, when Hamlet and Ophelia are having a conversation while Polonius, and Claudius are spying on them. As stated by my classmate Ricardo Grant, I also believe that Hamlet's lines are proof that he deeply cares about Ophelia's well being. However, I also believe that Hamlet's line "Get thee to a nunnery" (III, i, 121) explains that he is trying to protect her because he loves her, and he doesn't want anything bad to happen to her. Hamlet knows that Ophelia can get in serious trouble if Polonius finds out that they slept together, and still love each other, and he cannot protect her. So he tells her to go to a nunnery so that while Hamlet is dealing with other problems such as the murder of his father, Having no communication with Ophelia because of Polonius, and his depressed state, Ophelia can be safe. Then, later in the act, when Hamlet and Ophelia see each other again during the "Mousetrap" play. Hamlet says, while turning to Ophelia, to his mother when she asks him to sit with her "No, good mother, here's metal more attractive" (III, ii, 108) Basically calling Ophelia more attractive than his own mother, which shows that he has a love for Ophelia. Then during the performance of the "Mousetrap" play, despite all the negative comments that Hamlet made to Ophelia in act III, scene I, because he was aware that Polonius and Claudius were watching him. He says to Ophelia "Lady, shall I lie in your lap?" (III, ii, 110) which is a sexual innuendo. I think that Hamlet is flirting with Ophelia because as stated by my classmate Christie Towne, the room that they are in is crowded, so they can have a private conversation. However, I also believe that Hamlet is flirting with Ophelia because he knows that he is not being watched by anyone, and so he can express his true feelings toward Ophelia without being in danger, or putting her in danger. 

At my conclusion, throughout the play, there are numerous signs of love between Hamlet and Ophelia. However, if you connect moments, and situations in the play together. It is clear that Hamlet loves Ophelia. 

To Love or Not to Love

         As proven in the text it is evident that there are strong feelings between Hamlet and Ophelia whether it's true love or not is debatable. However in my opinion I believe that there is love there. There are multiple passages in Hamlet to prove that these two truly love each other but the main reason on why I think their love it true is because you don't go crazy and lose your mind over somebody you don't care about, therefore their feeling are true and their feelings are strong. For example Hamlet begins to show signs of desperation when she cuts off all forms of communication with him, Hamlet begins to lose his mind and shows up in her room late at night half dressed, talking crazy and grabbing her wrists.(II,i,77-84). If Hamlet did not love her he would not have gone to these desperate measures just to see her. However then when Hamlet pulls himself together he sits with Ophelia during the mousetrap play and they flirt and make inappropriate jokes the whole time. For example when he says "That's a fair thought to lie between a maids' legs" (III,ii,117). This shows the depth of their relationship and the amount of comfort they have with one another to talk about such personal things while in the middle of a huge group. Therefore there is a great amount of trust and understanding between the two of them which shows how close they actually are. Not only are these two extremely close but Hamlet also puts Ophelia's best interests first. He just wants what's best for her and is always looking out for her regardless of the consequences. For example he puts her first when he decides to kill Claudius he say's to Ophelia that he's going to do something bad and that he want's her to be safe and to go to the nunnery, so she won't be in harms way (III,i,130). This shows he loves her because he is putting her best interests above his own. Another reason I think he loves her is because at the end of Hamlet's "to be  or not to be" monologue he says "Soft you now, The fair Ophelia" (III,i,88-89). Hamlet speaks extremely fondly of Ophelia here and nobody is listening to him. This shows his love is true because he's not trying to prove anything to anybody or trick anyone he's talking to himself therefore this is how he really feels about her and that he likes her a lot. Then to top it all off during act 4 the roles reverse and Ophelia begins to lose her mind because of Hamlet.Ophelia begins singing all these song about love, empty promises, and lust. (IV,v,58-63). Ophelia begins to question everything about all the events that have recently happened and her sanity starts to leave. If she didn't truly love and care about Hamlet none of this would have bothered her because it would mean nothing to her. Therefore Ophelia's love towards Hamlet was true because if it wasn't she wouldn't be losing her mind over him, and he would have no control over her at all.
         All in all Hamlet and Ophelia demonstrate multiple signs of love towards one another throughout the play All of Hamlets actions influence Ophelia's emotions and vice versa. So they would have to be in love, because if they weren't they wouldn't care at all what the other did.

Comment: In response to Renée
        When you said "I think also that Ophelia helped Hamlet forget about what was going on and to make him more relaxed (during the mousetrap play)" I thought that was a really interesting point because I never really thought about it like that. It made me reread the mousetrap scene and look at it in a completely different way!