what are the circumstances of ophelia's death? what are the circumstances of ophelia's death?

To the right of the composition is more greenery and an assortment of plants. They say a made a good end. give more credence to Ophelias shattered mental state, as she is constantly fixating on the death of Polonius, so much so that every single thing reminds her of his passing (4.5.180-181). I too agree you regarding Ophelia as a pitiable character in this Shakespeare play. what are Would she have been more proactive with trying to fight the current of the stream? We both wrote about Ophelia! Because of these is, Ophelia certainly is one of the most pitiable characters in Hamlet, and perhaps one of the only characters whose madness is justifiable. I wonder if her father didnt die would she have reacted to this accident in way? Instead, she chanted snatches of old lauds [hymns], / As one incapable of her own distress (4.7.18283). Hi Sam, 1) Upon seeing the full title of the play (The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark) it can we inferred about Hamlet that: C. He will die at the end of the play. But, there are many key events and characters that help support to argument that Ophelia was, in fact, murdered. WebAnalysis. Sam, Ofelias madness seems a little more delicate and sudden. The composition is depicted in a horizontal orientation, and the main protagonist and focal point, Ophelia, is floating in a body of water. It is likely that Ophelia has fixated upon Hamlets detestable oath breaking so much so that in not requiting her love, Hamlet has broken both her heart and her poor mind. In Elizabethan slang, nothing was a term for female genitalia. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Her madness stems from the death of her father but carries over once shes lost Hamlet. At least Daniel got to put his daughter down before she resurrected. Her actions display not only this awareness, but also maturity in her non-confrontational discussions. SO many questions that are generated by your post. WebOphelia enters singing about death and betrayal. She does not decide to save herself, or to even deliver herself onto death, but ultimately ignores her freedom to choose and continues to abide by her own indifference. I do think that she is a tragic character in this play, and I do think that it is in a pitiable way, because of the events that she has gone through. However, she is caught in the middle of the conflict between Hamlet and his family, and her own loyalties are torn between her love for Hamlet and her duty to her father and brother. WebOphelias father had been killed by Hamlet; anyone put in that situation would likely have thoughts of suicide. She appears almost unaware of the fact that she is drowning (As one incapable of her own distress), and she is still singing, as per Queen Ophelias description of her in Hamlet (Act 4, Scene 7), which was mentioned earlier in the article. The host of Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan says the circumstances surrounding the death of Georgia mother Debbie Collier have left him befuddled, following the Georgia Bureau of Investigations determination that the death was a suicide. Ophelias actions in the scenes leading up to her death suggest it, but in truth it was caused by a terrible accident. At Their fathers deaths play a significant role in the actions and motivations of each character. WebDeath is the pervading theme of the play. Maybe if Hamlet wasnt such an ass to her she wouldnt have committed suicide because I think that was truly the last straw for her. WebSummary Of Mark Hitz's Shadehill. Or would her fate be the same? You are right though, her character exists as a tragic character, unfortunately so because her character is so interesting. The Ophelia painting has been a botanists beacon for identifying flowers and plants as well as a tale of death and how Ophelia met her demise surrounded by the ever-beautiful bouquets of flowers. Queen Gertrude explained how Ophelia tried to climb a willow tree to pick flowers, but she fell into the weeping brook when an envious sliver broke (a branch); her clothes kept her afloat only for a short while and she sang, which time she chanted snatches of old tunes but eventually her garments, heavy with their drink caused her to sink down to her muddy death. We both wrote about Ophelia! There are many different things that contribute to Ophelias death, and I like that you put it all out there. who tells Claudio and Laertes the circumstances of Ophelias death? WebAfter the death of his sister, Ophelia, Laertes joins forces with Claudius in a plan to assassinate Hamlet. The priest refuses, saying that, because she committed suicide, he must deny Ophelia the requiem mass and other trappings of a Christian burial, even though Ophelia will be buried on sacred ground. But long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death. Ophelias death is the final submission to the will of a stronger force. Share. Her clothes spread wide. SARAH: That's right, Ralph part of what makes this scene so poignant is that Ophelia no longer belongs anywhere among the living her father is dead, and her lover has been brutally unkind to her it's not clear what her future would have been had her life not ended here. The famous Ophelia (18511852) oil-on-canvas was painted by John Everett Millais, who was part of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood art group, and one of its founders. Or would her fate be the same? Hamlet ridiculed her and her father, Im assuming a person closest to her as there is no mention of a mother, dies unexpectingly. In the top right corner is another plant with purple flowers, which could possibly be the purple loosestrife, and directly below it are forget-me-nots on the embankment. He then says that money can buy freedom even for the criminal. Sam, Claudius then promises to have a monument constructed in her memory. I think that throughout Hamlet, madness is exhibited in many forms and Hamlets madness is very different from Ofelias. WebFor Gertrude is awkwardly unimaginative, as has been seen before. eNotes Editorial, 16 Apr. Latest answer posted November 13, 2020 at 12:50:56 PM. The fact that the water completely weighs her down and she doesnt even car is shocking because she shouldnt have died but her showing that shows how depressed she was. Ophelia is forced to give up the one she loves due to what others are telling her to do so, and because of her fathers prying he ultimately dies. I think your suggestion that Ophelias madness is also the consequential result of her failed relationship with Hamlet is totally credible. Its implied through several of Ophelias songs, the one you mentioned, and her one just before that where she sings Let in the maid, that out a maid / Never departed more (4.5.54-55). Her The evidence suggesting that she is simply mourning her father is obvious, as lines from one of her many songs points towards grieving over an aged relative His beard as white as snow / All flaxen was his poll with flaxen here indicating a white or grayed head of hair (4.5.190-191). Its upsetting to see anyone go through all of these unfortunate circumstances because it realistically can happen to anybody. There are many different things that contribute to Ophelias death, and I like that you put it all out there. Ophelia's death serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of the conflicts and intrigues that drive the actions of the characters in "Hamlet." I think that Hamlet and Laertes carried on Ophelias madness when she passed away and they both jumped into her grave. Her death comes in the denouement of the play following the Act 3 climax. SARAH: Gertrude offers two different visions here of Ophelia singing as she sinks into the water the first is of someone unaware of her life-threatening danger, and seems to convey Ophelia's actual state. The painting Ophelia (18511852) by John Everett Millais explores several themes, from death, love, life, madness, and nature. I never picked up on those lines of her song in relation to Hamlet breaking his promise of marrying her. Also, in the description of her death it is obviously displaying Ophelia 's madness. RALPH: These two images of Ophelia in fact are complementary Ophelia is tragically unaware that she is about to die, and yet visually she also seems at home here in this brook, as her madness has finally taken her completely out of her unhappy situation back at the court. In Act IV, Scene 7, Gertrude enters with news that Ophelia has drowned in the stream as she tried to hang flower garlands on the willow branches. Why does the priest not want to give Ophelia a proper burial? Towards the middle foreground is a mossy/algae patch with small white flowers growing from it, which could be stream water crowfoot. Additionally, there is also the long rectangular shape created by the horizontal body of water, while the willow tree stump has a seemingly rounded rectangular shape as it juts out from the foliage and above the water. After all, the young woman has gone mad, and apparently did nothing to try and escape her watery death. She has no way to prevent the death of her father, and no way to reason with the loss of Hamlets affection. The original frame is gilt plaster with ivy moulding, the Hamlet quotation, in red and blue, on either side of the painting in Gothic script. Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay, myShakespeare | Hamlet 4.7 Gertrudes Description of Ophelia's Death. Would she have been more proactive with trying to fight the current of the stream? It is almost as though the natural order has been disturbed by the death of King Hamlet and Ofelia is a casualty in the war to get the state of Denmark to not be quite so rotten. Sam, Maybe if Hamlet wasnt such an ass to her she wouldnt have committed suicide because I think that was truly the last straw for her. I think that you did a great job analyzing Ophelias character, and I think that it helpful as a reader to see the different aspects of her character development to understand what she is going through. The walker caught in the ventilation fan fell on top of her and took a chuck out of her clavicle. Shes being torn between two very influential men in her life. I wonder which had more an effect? what star wars does luke train with yoda how to build a privacy fence on a deck. I definitely feel that before Polonius dies she is effected by how Hamlet treats her, which the argument I made in my post. This is compounded on by a following line, You promised me to wed, / So would I a done, by yonder sun, / An thou hadst not come to my bed. and it is this part of Ophelias song that likely damns Hamlet as a cause of her mental fracturing (4.5.62-64). We both wrote about Ophelia! Her love for Hamlet is frustrated Ophelia Laertes First Flower In Hamlet 585 Words | 3 Pages Both the loss of her beloved father and Hamlet 's rejection of her A close-up of the different flowers in Ophelia (1851-1852) by John Everett Millais;John Everett Millais, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Wiltshire. There are a few reasons for why Hamlet treats Ophelia so badly. The first is her connection to Polonius. By keeping her off guard, Hamlet keeps Polonius and the King confused as well. The play leaves Hamlets awareness open ended. Hamlet could not know whether Ophelia was actively involved or simply being used. When Laertes breaks in on Claudius and Gertrude, Claudius asserts his innocence with regard to Poloniuss death. I think both her fathers death and her relationship with Hamlet made her depressed and unfortunately made her commit this awful act of suicide. Its quite the strain to put on anyones mental state. Sam, It is interesting to me that you believe her suicide is due to both her fathers death AND her complex relationship with Hamlet. Ophelia died by suicide. How does Ophelia take the news of her fathers death in Hamlet? In the begining of the play Ophelia knows that Hamlet loves her yet decides to keep her distance because her brother tells her to. As the play progresses, Ophelia becomes increasingly isolated and distressed as she is manipulated by the men in her life, particularly her father and brother, who forbid her from seeing Hamlet. Sam, Or would her fate be the same? They argue whether Ophelia should be buried in the churchyard since her death looks like a suicide. Yet here she is allowed her virgin crants, Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home Of bell and burial. Ophelia, a decided and determined young photographer, leaves So Vicente, by water, to swim across the sea until she reaches Ubatuba, where she believes her father is located. Sam, I agree with your point in saying that the sexual references in Ophelias songs do account for her love of Hamlet. The use of color in Ophelia (1851-1852) by John Everett Millais; John Everett Millais, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. The second is Hamlet himself, who promised much to Ophelia, and whom Ophelia has probably has sex with. If Ophelias intentions were to kill herself, she would likely either More than likely, she fell into the brook or was swept downstream by the current. It is almost as though the natural order has been disturbed by the death of King Hamlet and Ofelia is a casualty in the war to get the state of Denmark to not be quite so rotten. I agree with the fact you believe her suicide is due to both her fathers death and her complex relationship with Hamlet. The fact that the water completely weighs her down and she doesnt even car is shocking because she shouldnt have died but her showing that shows how depressed she was. The death of Ophelia is questioned due to different accounts regarding the circumstances of her death. Ophelia sings more songs and hands out flowers, citing their Ophelia by In Act 4 Scene 7, Queen Gertrude reports that Ophelia had climbed into a willow tree There is a willow grows aslant the brook , and that the branch had broken and dropped Ophelia into the brook, where she drowned. I loved your analysis on Ophelia and your text examples on how she viewed each horrific death of her loved ones. The queen, however, describes it in detail. Ophelia sucked the honey of his music vows and returned Hamlets affection. He closely studied the natural environment around him, and his painting process started with the outside before he painted the figure of Ophelias model inside. 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 / Theres tricks in the world, and hems, and beats her heart (4.5.4-5), a secondary cause of Ophelias madness may be in fact about her failed relationship with Hamlet as well. This can also be conveyed through various other elements like color, shapes, and the scale of objects, as well as how much detail is depicted, which is noticeable in Millaiss Ophelia painting. Even though, in the beginning, Hamlet is only feigning madness, he is certainly troubled (to say the least) at the end of the play. Laertess father, Polonius, was also killed by Claudius. With the loss of her father, brother, and her lover all extremely close together is enough to make anyone go mad I suppose. Ophelias death was triggered by her mental breakdown due to the loss of her father. The series of The death of a woman is under investigation after authorities said she was found in her apartment on Stella Link Road. Latest answer posted February 17, 2021 at 12:04:07 PM. We see in act III that Ophelia is shaken by how Hamlet is treating her harshly where before he was kind and gentle. As daughter of the Kings Chief Chamberlain, she is part of the Queens Court Ladies. Gertrude reports that she fell into the brook and that her clothes became heavy with water and pulled her under. I too wrote about Ophelia, however based it on her heartbreaking death. I also think that before Ophelia died Hamlet had a huge effect on her which might have played a huge role with her death. Its implied through several of Ophelias songs, the one you mentioned, and her one just before that where she sings Let in the maid, that out a maid / Never departed more (4.5.54-55). Note that Gertrude depicts Ophelia as less than human: she is mermaid-like, as well sees her as a passive creature held captive by tragic circumstances only to be freed in death. Wiltshire. In Hamlet, why does Ophelia return the letter and presents Hamlet gave her. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Act II, Scenes 12 Summary and Analysis, Act III, Scenes 12 Summary and Analysis, Act III, Scenes 34 Summary and Analysis, Act IV, Scenes 14 Summary and Analysis, Act IV, Scenes 57 Summary and Analysis, Framing Ophelia: Representation and the Pictorial Tradition, Grinning Death's-Head: Hamlet and the Vision of the Grotesque, Mourning and Misogyny: Hamlet, The Revenger's Tragedy, and the Final Progress of Elizabeth I, 1600-1607, Nobler in the Mind: The Dialect in Hamlet, The 'Heart of My Mystery': Hamlet and Secrets, The First Quarto of Hamlet: Reforming Widow Gertred. Ofelias madness seems a little more delicate and sudden. Ophelias maddness I believe, like you, is caused be her loss of her loved ones. He utilized a lush mixture of hues to create the tonal contrasts of color, especially between the darker shadier parts of the foliage and the lighter parts illuminated by natural light. I like that you included her singing in what you believed to be madness, because I too brought up her mindless singing in my post about her death. Although she is tragic, she is also used at will with the men around her. Ophelia exists as a tragic character inHamletand one that is entirely pitiable because of unfortunate circumstances that she has been put through. What is the ghost wearing when it appears to Horatio? Only Shakespeare knew for sure. I like that you included her singing in what you believed to be madness, because I too brought up her mindless singing in my post about her death. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Ophelia by John Everett Millais has invited many a discourse, from feminism and how women are depicted in art, their role in a patriarchal society, and Ophelia herself as the subject for many paintings during the 19th century, to the Victorian eras penchant for flowers, their significance, and symbolic meanings. The robin bird holds significant symbolism, including rebirth and death. He believes that praying is useless he wont be forgiven unless he gives up everything that he killed for - the crown and the might. What Does the Ophelia Painting Symbolize? Fly high, lovely spirit, Hersl Dana.. Below we will look at the visual composition of Ophelia by John Everett Millais, starting with a description of the subject matter and then how the artist created it in terms of color, texture, line, shape, form, and space. Over all, your post cleared up some misconceptions for me and went in depth on a character I would have liked to discuss more in class. Ophelias random singing was the first sign of madness when I first read it because instead of trying to save herself from drowning she was just calmly singing and letting the heavy water pile on top of her and her clothing. John Everett Millais painted from nature at the Hogsmill River in Ewell, Surrey, which is in South East England. However, the explicit sexual references in Ophelias songs perhaps account for her obsession with the now absent Hamlet, as in promising his love to her earlier in the play and then being scorned, she is doubly heartbroken alongside the death of her father. Her death is reported by Queen Gertrude, Hamlets mother, in great poetic Hi Sam, Her death is reported by Queen Gertrude, Hamlets mother, in great poetic detail as though she had witnessed the poor girls death. Polonius is killed by Hamlet, who thought he was Claudius. Nope: After being bitten, Ofelia survived many many hours longer. WebThe Innocence of Gertrude and Ophelia Pretty Ophelia, as Claudius calls her, is the most innocent victim of Hamlets revenge in Shakespeare s play Hamlet. Ophelias random singing was the first sign of madness when I first read it because instead of trying to save herself from drowning she was just calmly singing and letting the heavy water pile on top of her and her clothing. 2007, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/describe-the-fate-of-ophelia-as-reported-by-441. Great points! I loved your analysis on Ophelia and your text examples on how she viewed each horrific death of her loved ones. Well written! Sam, 3. What's the meaning of this quote from Hamlet: "We're oft to blame and this is just too much proved that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the Devil himself"? Your email address will not be published. In this article, we will discuss one of the most famous renditions of her tragic end by pre-Raphaelite artist John Everett Millais. Many of the lines throughout her singing episodes also support your claim, as you aptly discuss. Gertrude reports that she fell into the brook and that her clothes became heavy with water and pulled her under. Sam, At that point in time, it seemed to be an attribute to Ophelia letting herself go; but since you are comparing and including it within the madness of Ophelia I now find myself second guessing whether or not it was her letting herself go or if she was in fact mad. who tells claudius and laertes about the circumstances surrounding ophelias death? Answers. Hamlet was one of William Shakespeares most famous plays, the phrase by Hamlets character, to be, or not to be is emblazoned on the pages of history, but the character known as Ophelia, who turned mad and drowned in a brook, became a popular choice for subject matter throughout the Victorian era, and although she met a tragic end, she was the star of many paintings. Well written! SO many questions that are generated by your post. WebIt was the death of Hamlets father that becomes the focal point of the play. Furthermore, women would often be the main protagonists, and artists would depict them from live models. WebThe constant pressure from her father, Polonius, and Claudius to spy on Hamlet is a major factor in the increasing madness of Ophelia. It must also be difficult for her to reconcile the fact that her lover murdered her father, and in doing so took away all present support systems from her. Although she is tragic, she is also used at will with the men around her. I agree with the fact you believe her suicide is due to both her fathers death and her complex relationship with Hamlet. I think that youre absolutely right in saying that Ophelias insanity is caused by a combination of Poloniuss death and Hamlets spurning of her, and murder of her father. This is compounded on by a following line, You promised me to wed, / So would I a done, by yonder sun, / An thou hadst not come to my bed. and it is this part of Ophelias song that likely damns Hamlet as a cause of her mental fracturing (4.5.62-64). Ophelia in the fourth act ofHamletis demonstrably insane, but the direct cause of her slipped sanity is something that remains debatable. Further explicit references to Ophelias father, such as I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died. (Hint: I believe it is about why we act or fail to act it is not about suicide.) It was as if Ophelia did not know what was happening to her. Latest answer posted November 19, 2020 at 1:33:52 PM. There is a briar rose bush with white blooms more towards the middle background, and to its left (our right) are either the teasel flowering plant or meadowsweet flowers. Her unexpected death left her loved ones in mourning. But, we cant ignore the lines that signify the other figure her grieving is fixated upon: Hamlet. He was one of the leading artists and founders of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood group. In the final scene, the violence, so long delayed, erupts with dizzying speed. In a fit of anger, Hamlet impulsively kills the man behind the curtain, thinking it was Claudius. Sam, However, later, at the burial site, the two grave makers are discussing Ophelia's death. John Everett Millais painted so close to nature that you would think the Ophelia painting is a photograph. Its upsetting to see anyone go through all of these unfortunate circumstances because it realistically can happen to anybody. The answer is marcellus. I wonder if her father didnt die would she have reacted to this accident in way? WebOphelias death is, arguably, an honorable one, characterized by her willingness to let go of her submissive, earth-bound self and leave the world no longer a victim. Ophelias death was doubtful because, once she fell into the brook, she appears to have made no attempt to save herself. I also think that before Ophelia died Hamlet had a huge effect on her which might have played a huge role with her death. And you remember the whole business of Ophelia 's burial. Ophelias songs show her slipping into further madness with a lot of bizarre sexually-laced lyrics and while reading this portion of the play I just felt bad for her. what star wars does luke train with yoda how to build a privacy fence on a deck. Cirencione detailed the circumstances that led to the death of Brandon M. Zurkan, 31, of Warren, Pa., during a media briefing at the sheriffs office Wednesday. Laertess revenge was very similar yet different from the actions of Hamlet and Fortinbras. WebOphelias death, at first glance, could be thought of as an accident which is completely disgraceful during her time period. The orientation of the composition itself is landscape, which creates an overall horizontal linearity, emphasized by Ophelias placement in the scene; her body and the part of the stream she floats in both create a horizontal band running through the center of the canvas. Your email address will not be published. Latest answer posted December 25, 2020 at 10:45:45 AM. But, we cant ignore the lines that signify the other figure her grieving is fixated upon: Hamlet. Upvoting all ! Shakespeare and the Question of Theory. I definitely feel that before Polonius dies she is effected by how Hamlet treats her, which the argument I made in my post. She died about 30 seconds before her father, Daniel, arrived from the Tijuana dam. At such an early age, her life was taken. Print of Sir John Everett Millais Ophelia (Shakespeares Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 7) by James Stephenson;John Everett Millais, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. So he rips into Ophelia. Painting Ophelia was no walk in the park for Millais, and he weathered the elements around him, reportedly from early in the morning to the evening, for around five months, but in the end, he created a composition that was almost photographic. Ophelia exists as a tragic character inHamletand one that is entirely pitiable because of unfortunate circumstances that she has been put through. 25 minutes ago. Though the man in the song has promised the speaker that they will soon wed, he has left her for no apparent reason and like Hamlets alleged claims of love and marriage to Ophelia, so too has Hamlet broken those vows for reasons unbeknownst. I wonder which had more an effect? In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," Ophelia is a tragic figure whose untimely death serves as a catalyst for the events of the play. Question 28 options: Horatio Queen Gertrude Marcellus a messenger As rich as it is in the foliage and flowers of the natural landscape, so too is it in implied texture, which gives the illusion of the tactile appearance of the subject matter. Despite whether or not the cause of her madness is her fathers death or the loss of her boyfriend or something entirely different, Ofelia almost falls into madness. At that point in time, it seemed to be an attribute to Ophelia letting herself go; but since you are comparing and including it within the madness of Ophelia I now find myself second guessing whether or not it was her letting herself go or if she was in fact mad. Lush foliage surrounds the almost drowned figure of Ophelia. The philosophical themes that dominate the soliloquy are concerned with the Ophelia is forced to give up the one she loves due to what others are telling her to do so, and because of her fathers prying he ultimately dies. What are they? Soon after, Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius. But sometimes that just don't matter. When Ophelia's death is first relayed to the audience by Queen Gertrude, she talks about Ophelia drowning accidentally, after a branch from the willow tree breaks off, causing Ophelia to fall into the waters. Even though, in the beginning, Hamlet is only feigning madness, he is certainly troubled (to say the least) at the end of the play. Also Hamlet's own madness and isolation is a cause in Ophelia's deteriorating mental condition.