A Figure or an Irrelevant Spirit

A Figure or An Irrelevant Spirit

Many characters in many novels or numerous plays reveal how weak they are or how strong they are. Some characters influence other characters into becoming weaker or stronger. Usually the actions of other characters can influence the next character into doing a different or similar action.  In many plays, this situation happens often whereas a character can persuade another character to commit a crime or just to do something in general. This could lead to a tragic plot or a good plot. It just depends on how the author or playwright wants to make it. In the play, "Hamlet" by Shakespeare, portrays many characters as having weak characteristics or strong characteristics. One of the important characters in this novel, named Ophelia, usually is influenced by another character named Hamlet, but mostly influenced by her father, Polonius. Reading this play can bring many questions to an individual's mind to asking is Ophelia a powerful women figure and is she like the normal idea of a woman during this time on this play. In this play, Ophelia is obedient to her father, she has no control of her life, and she becomes insane because of all the pressure forced upon her.

Ophelia can not disobey her father. Because Ophelia is not married which means she would not have a husband to obey, she has to obey her father. Most people do not obey their parents every time but Ophelia tries her hardest to fulfilling his every wish. The following quote is an example of how Polonius, Ophelia's father, gives her an order: "Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know, when the blood burns, how prodigal the soul lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter, giving more light than heat, extinct in both even in their promise as it is a-making, you must not take for fire. From this time be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence. Set your entreatments at a higher rate, than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet, believe so much in him that he is young, and with a larger tether may he walk than may be given you. In few, Ophelia, do not believe his vows, for they are brokers not of that dye which their investments show, but mere implorators of unholy suits, breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, the better to beguile. This is for all: I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, have you so slander any moment leisure, as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to ’t, I charge you. Come your ways." (1.3.115-135). When Ophelia heard this, she did what her father said and immediately. Therefore, she stopped associating with Hamlet which eventually made him very angry and go mad. Later in the play, Polonius uses his daughter, Ophelia, to spy on Hamlet for King Claudius.