what are the circumstances of ophelia's death?

It is interesting to analyze this scene to see that both her fathers death and Hamlets act led to her madness. Her actions display not only this awareness, but also maturity in her non-confrontational discussions. I really liked the points you made about Ophelia and her madness. The series of I too agree you regarding Ophelia as a pitiable character in this Shakespeare play. eNotes Editorial, 16 Apr. John Everett Millais painted so close to nature that you would think the Ophelia painting is a photograph. 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. Webhow many gigatons of carbon were released in 2019. It is interesting to me that you believe her suicide is due to both her fathers death AND her complex relationship with Hamlet. Her beauty, innocence and determination to love Hamlet as young as she was leads her to do things that she would not have done if she had clear knowledge of Ophelias subservience is taken to an entirely new level through the event of her death. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Its upsetting to see anyone go through all of these unfortunate circumstances because it realistically can happen to anybody. His uncle, Claudius, killed his father and married his mother, Gertrude. The first is her father, Polonius, who bids her stay away from Hamlet, and then go to Hamlet to help spy on him. He believes that praying is useless he wont be forgiven unless he gives up everything that he killed for - the crown and the might. Both the loss of her beloved father and Ophelia's death is one of the great Shakespearean mysteries that is never fully explained in Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up, Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds, As one incapable of her own distress However, Ophelia's innate weakness probably assured that she would not have had the courage to kill herself. Hamlets madness is directly correlated to his fathers death and the appearance of his fathers ghost. With lines like Young men will dot if they come tot / By Cock, they are to blame signifies a strange and perhaps oblique reference to a promiscuous or simply flighty man who promises love (or sex here with the word cock) but backs out after a brief time (4.5.59-60). I think that the most obvious cause that leads to Ophelias death is her fathers murder, but I like your point that it could indeed be because of her obsession with Hamlet, who has gone mad. Sam, This behavior is consistent with Ophelias having gone to the brook intending to kill herself. One theory is that she deliberately drowned herself in the river out of There are also other colors from the various flowers, providing more variety as well as enhancing the subject matter and symbolic meanings. 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. Sam, WebAnalysis. Interestingly, in Shakespeares play, Ophelias death was not depicted, but described by the character Queen Gertrude when she spoke to Laertes, who was Ophelias brother in Act 4, Scene 7. The philosophical themes that dominate the soliloquy are concerned with the This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. This week, they killed off Ofelia. You can check out the link to that page below. In the foreground, in the bottom left corner, is a plant with vertical strips of leaves (referred to as monocot leaves), possibly the greater pond sedge, and just in front of it in the near foreground are forget-me-not flowers. The fact that this grief drives Ophelia to madness reveals her overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness, and the power that the men in Ophelia's life wield over her. Or would her fate be the same? The first is her father, Polonius, who bids her stay away from Hamlet, and then go to Hamlet to help spy on him. She died about 30 seconds before her father, Daniel, arrived from the Tijuana dam. I think both her fathers death and her relationship with Hamlet made her depressed and unfortunately made her commit this awful act of suicide. WebOphelias father had been killed by Hamlet; anyone put in that situation would likely have thoughts of suicide. The death of Ophelia is questioned due to different accounts regarding the circumstances of her death. Both the loss of her beloved father and Hamlet 's rejection of her Ophelia in the fourth act ofHamletis demonstrably insane, but the direct cause of her slipped sanity is something that remains debatable. John Everett Millais depicted some of these flowers in the Ophelia painting, which we will explore in the visual description below, but he also depicted the flowers and foliage from the Hogsmill River and its bank. He was an artist from a young age and was encouraged to paint further when his family moved to London, where he attended the Royal Academy of Arts. 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. It causes many people to wonder if she should even be buried in the christian cemetery. Lee was still alive at that point. 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. With lines like Young men will dot if they come tot / By Cock, they are to blame signifies a strange and perhaps oblique reference to a promiscuous or simply flighty man who promises love (or sex here with the word cock) but backs out after a brief time (4.5.59-60). Would she have been more proactive with trying to fight the current of the stream? Hamlet performs a soliloquy. Vote everyone! She is holding several flowers in her right hand (our left) and her left (our right) hand is empty. Laertes then jumps into Ophelia's grave excavation, asking for the burial to wait until he has held her in his arms one last time and proclaims how much he loved her. Sam, You are right though, her character exists as a tragic character, unfortunately so because her character is so interesting. A close-up of the different flowers in Ophelia (1851-1852) by John Everett Millais;John Everett Millais, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. When John Everett Millais painted Ophelia around the early 1850s the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was already active. Because Polonius was such a vital figure in her life, she is likely bereaved beyond help and thus does not recognize her brother. As youve done, its important to recognize that Ophelia is obviously mourning her father, and with great reason (he was indeed a vital figure in her life, especially considering she hadnt been married yet). WebSARAH: 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 In the next scene, the priest who performs the funeral ritual implies that she may have taken her own life. I think that throughout Hamlet, madness is exhibited in many forms and Hamlets madness is very different from Ofelias. I agree with your point in saying that the sexual references in Ophelias songs do account for her love of Hamlet. horatio queen gertrude marcellus a messenger the answer is Marcel 1) Looking at Sam, I loved your analysis on Ophelia and your text examples on how she viewed each horrific death of her loved ones. In the midst of readings performances and one particular question has remained open and unresolved: was Ophelia's death an accident or a suicide? 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). Sam, what star wars does luke train with yoda how to build a privacy fence on a deck. Your email address will not be published. You are right though, her character exists as a tragic character, unfortunately so because her character is so interesting. There are numerous flowers depicted and each holds symbolic meanings that relate to the themes of the story, which is based on the play Hamlet (c. 15991601) by William Shakespeare. Ophelias actions in the scenes leading up to her death suggest it, but in truth it was caused by a terrible accident. The Ophelia painting was exhibited in 1852 at the Royal Academy of Arts and received a variety of responses, some criticisms, and some praises, for example, The Morning Chronicle from 1852 described it as startling in its originality and a review in The Times newspaper likened Ophelia as a dairymaid in a frolic. The views and opinions expressed by the authors and other contributors to this blog are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of SUNY New Paltz or any employee thereof. At 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). Upvoting all ! Her death was doubtful (5.1.182), 3 as the priest tells Laertes, by which he means it is questionable whether Ophelias death was an accident or a suicide. What major philosophical points dominate Hamlet's soliloquy in Scene 1? Yet much speculation remains about the details of her death. To the left of the composition is a large tree stump of a weeping willow with various branches and stinging nettle growing around it. His astonishment, though, places him in danger. And you remember the whole business of Ophelia 's burial. Ophelia hasnt any direct control over the influential characters in her life. Sir John Everett Millais was born on June 8, 1829, and died on August 13, 1896. Ophelia exists as a tragic character inHamletand one that is entirely pitiable because of unfortunate circumstances that she has been put through. Ophelia's death is an unplayed scene; it does not appear on stage. 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. Ophelias death is the final submission to the will of a stronger force. 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. Her clothes spread wide. Ophelias death was triggered by her mental breakdown due to the loss of her father. "Describe the fate of Ophelia, as reported by Gertrude at the end of act 4." Would she have been more proactive with trying to fight the current of the stream? Web2. How does Ophelia come to believe that Hamlet is mad?He enters her room as she is sewing; his clothes are dishevelled, and his look is piteous. She knows that refusing to marry Hamlet will make him go insane.Polonius reads a letter to Claudius and Gertrude, and Ophelia overhears it. Would she have been more proactive with trying to fight the current of the stream? Shes being torn between two very influential men in her life. 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. I also think that before Ophelia died Hamlet had a huge effect on her which might have played a huge role with her death. She is a victim of circumstances beyond her control, and her ultimate demise serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of manipulation and betrayal. The gravedigger believed that political favors were granted. In the begining of the play Ophelia knows that Hamlet loves her yet decides to keep her distance because her brother tells her to. Hi Sam, Instead, she chanted snatches of old lauds [hymns], / As one incapable of her own distress (4.7.18283). Characters drop one after the other, poisoned, stabbed, and, in the case of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, executed, as the theme of revenge and justice reaches its conclusion in the moment when Hamlet finally kills Claudius. I like the way that you wrote about Ophelia singing as her madness. Subsection. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The composition is depicted in a horizontal orientation, and the main protagonist and focal point, Ophelia, is floating in a body of water. She is a tragic figure who is caught in the crosshairs of the power struggle between Hamlet and his family, and her love for Hamlet ultimately leads to her downfall. It is interesting to analyze this scene to see that both her fathers death and Hamlets acts led to her madness. SO many questions that are generated by your post. It is interesting to me that you believe her suicide is due to both her fathers death AND her complex relationship with Hamlet. WebThe questions behind Ophelia's death has to do with her mental state at the time of her tragic flower-gathering. Many of the lines throughout her singing episodes also support your claim, as you aptly discuss. Many people in the kingdom obviously believe, based on this conversation, that Ophelia did not drown by accident, as the official story goes, but rather that she drowned herself. She modeled for Millais in a bathtub, floating in the water and wearing a thin dress. Regardless of the exact circumstances of her death, it is clear that Ophelia is a victim of the political and personal conflicts that plague the Danish court. The combination of her former lovers cruelty and her fathers death sends Ophelia into a fit of grief. WebOphelias death, at first glance, could be thought of as an accident which is completely disgraceful during her time period. We both wrote about Ophelia! Artist Abstract: Who Was John Everett Millais? Furthermore, women would often be the main protagonists, and artists would depict them from live models. Get the latest information and tips about everything Art with our bi-weekly newsletter. Furthermore, the background of the composition acts almost as a backdrop of fauna and flora, which brings Ophelias figure closer into our space, also making the picture space shallower. I really liked the points you made about Ophelia and her madness. WebOphelia was caught up in the political and emotional intrigue and died in mysterious circumstances. Laertess father, Polonius, was also killed by Claudius. I wonder which had more an effect? WebThrough Ophelias interactions with the men of the play, the audience can see that the male-dominated society brings inequality, distrust, and destruction. Because Polonius was such a vital figure in her life, she is likely bereaved beyond help and thus does not recognize her brother. Ofelias madness seems a little more delicate and sudden. Hamlet ridiculed her and her father, Im assuming a person closest to her as there is no mention of a mother, dies unexpectingly. RALPH: The second image of Ophelia that Gertrude proposes is as if she were "a creature native and endued unto that element" in other words, as if Ophelia were a water nymph, or, as Gertrude said a few lines earlier, a mermaid, who fits in so well with this scene that its as if she belonged there, as if it were her home. Understanding the law of suicide is crucial to understanding the controversy regarding Ophelias burial rites. We both wrote about Ophelia! Or would her fate be the same? 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. 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. Section. Claudius then promises to have a monument constructed in her memory. As daughter of the Kings Chief Chamberlain, she is part of the Queens Court Ladies. I really liked the points you brought up about Ophelia, I wrote about her in my blog post as well. If Ophelias intentions were to kill herself, she would likely either Required fields are marked *. Polonius is killed by Hamlet, who thought he was Claudius. Her clothes spread wide, And, mermaid-like, a while they bore her up; Which time she changed snatches of old tunes, As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a creature native and indued Unto that element. 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. WebOphelia enters singing about death and betrayal. Instead of calling for help, she "chanted snatches of old tunes / as one incapable of her own distress." Space as an element of art refers to the area utilized in the composition as well as the level of three-dimensionality or depth to create perspective. The painting depicts the moment Ophelia is about to drown, surrounded by a myriad of flowers symbolizing aspects of what she experienced, from life and love to death. Fortinbrass father, King Fortinbras of Norway, was killed in a battle with King Hamlet. 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. Her madness affects her death because she is oblivious to the danger which surrounds her. The dominant colors in Ophelia by John Everett Millais are varieties of greens, however, Millais utilized different yellows, blues, whites, and blacks. He was also made Baronet in 1885. In the begining of the play Ophelia knows that Hamlet loves her yet decides to keep her distance because her brother tells her to. We see in act III that Ophelia is shaken by how Hamlet is treating her harshly where before he was kind and gentle. Gertrude's Description of Ophelia's Death, There, on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds. 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." Log in here. The willow is symbolic to Ophelias death because it relates the Fly high, lovely spirit, Hersl Dana.. 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. Gertrude reports that she fell into the brook and that her clothes became heavy with water and pulled her under. 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. As the scene opens, two gravediggers are conversing about the suspicious manner of Ophelia's death. Her father's death would have been traumatic, of course, but the fact that Hamlet did it makes her even more distraught. 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. 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. 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. 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. I think that throughout Hamlet, madness is exhibited in many forms and Hamlets madness is very different from Ofelias. In Hamlet, why does Ophelia return the letter and presents Hamlet gave her. In act 1, scene 3 of Hamlet, what is Polonius's advice to Laertes? Accessed 4 Mar. Last Update: October 15, 2022 This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. The death of a woman is under investigation after authorities said she was found in her apartment on Stella Link Road. I too wrote about Ophelia, however based it on her heartbreaking death. Latest answer posted November 13, 2020 at 12:50:56 PM. 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. I never picked up on those lines of her song in relation to Hamlet breaking his promise of marrying her. Alongside its appearances in pop culture like film, television, and music, the Ophelia painting has influenced modern artists like the Surrealist Salvador Dal, who also produced an iteration of the scene titled Ophelias Death (1973). Further explicit references to Ophelias father, such as I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died. 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. Section. 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. An independent inquiry into the circumstances of Ms Sturgess' death will continue this year. A discussion of Gertrude's description of Ophelia's death in Act 4, Scene 7 of myShakespeare'sHamlet. Sam, Wiltshire. WebDeath is the pervading theme of the play. I too agree you regarding Ophelia as a pitiable character in this Shakespeare play. I know the focus is mainly on Hamlet and his questionable madness, but in a way I definitely see how Ophelia went somewhat mad as well! Her head is situated to the left of the composition, and her feet face towards the right-hand side. Video journalist: Emma Colman. In memory of the BARCS late employee passing, a celebration of life will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Chasseur, 3328 Foster Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224. WebThe constant pressure from her father, Polonius, and Claudius to spy on Hamlet is a major factor in the increasing madness of Ophelia. It is important to note that Ophelia was also closely associated with flowers, and certain flowers held symbolic meanings. 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. 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. Who tells Claudius and Laertes about the circumstances surrounding Ophelia's death? After all, the young woman has gone mad, and apparently did nothing to try and escape her watery death. 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. Ophelia was the character most greatly impacted by Hamlet's feigned and real madness - she first lost her father, her sanity, and then her life. 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. His style ranged from portrait paintings to landscapes and he was also commissioned by several important political figures, namely William Ewart Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli. However, these shapes are not distinctively outlined or geometric; instead, they blend into the natural environment. Her unexpected death left her loved ones in mourning. WebA semi-circular canvas set in a rectangular frame. All the major protagonists and antagonists in the play die in the end. 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. A close-up of Ophelia (1851-1852) by John Everett Millais; John Everett Millais, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. either. With the loss of her father, brother, and her lover all extremely close together is enough to make anyone go mad I suppose. The painting Ophelia (18511852) by John Everett Millais explores several themes, from death, love, life, madness, and nature. The Ophelia painting depicts organic shapes and forms that are found in nature versus geometric shapes and forms. WebThe combination of her former lovers cruelty and her fathers death sends Ophelia into a fit of grief. I definitely feel that before Polonius dies she is effected by how Hamlet treats her, which the argument I made in my post. 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. The reappearance of the mad Ophelia is devastating to Laertes. He and Hamlet then quarrel over who loved Ophelia more, and Nope: After being bitten, Ofelia survived many many hours longer. He was born in Southampton, Hampshire in England. The pain of losing his beloved Sister fill She also stated that while Ophelia was drowning, she seemed oblivious to her plight. The Ophelia painting needs to be viewed from far away, to see the entire image, and from up close, to not only see but experience the minute detail. Well written! Ophelia's death is reported by Gertrude: Hamlet's would-be bride falls from a tree and drowns in a brook. Great points! Although she is tragic, she is also used at will with the men around her. There are several possible interpretations of the circumstances surrounding Ophelia's death. I definitely feel that before Polonius dies she is effected by how Hamlet treats her, which the argument I made in my post. Even though, in the beginning, Hamlet is only feigning madness, he is certainly troubled (to say the least) at the end of the play. In Act Four she spirals into madness and dies under ambiguous circumstances. This line directly references an older man and because of this detail, Poloniuss death has obviously taken its toll on Ophelias psyche, causing her to spout such wild and woeful songs. Latest answer posted February 17, 2021 at 12:04:07 PM. There are many different things that contribute to Ophelias death, and I like that you put it all out there. There are also several other flowers like a red poppy, daisies, a deep violet/blue cornflower, white jasmine, pansies, marsh marigolds, a cabbage rose, Irises, fritillaries, and more floating down the waters current, mostly along Ophelias right side (our left).

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