BLOG 11 - Ophelia's ambiguous character in Hamlet

In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, the seemingly innocuous character Ophelia draws my attention.  What is her purpose? Why has Shakespeare created such an ambiguous character.  In the beginning of the play, Ophelia behaves so obediently to her father and brother.  Each time they command her to do something, she complies.  Yet, in Act two, scene two, Hamlet says to Ophelia’s father, “For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, / being a good kissing carrion – Have you a daughter?” (II.ii.181-182).  When Polonius’ response is yes, Hamlet continues: “Let her not walk i’ th’ sun.  Conception is a / blessing, but as your daughter may conceive, friend, / look to’t” (II.ii.184-186).  Throughout the play, Ophelia presents herself to the audience as naïve, innocent, and obedient.  And up until Hamlet says this about Ophelia, there is no reason to think that Ophelia is anything but pure.  Obviously, in this citation, Hamlet is hinting to the fact that Ophelia is a floosy.  Here Hamlet’s basically telling her father, “Don’t let that one out of the house.  She’ll go around breeding with everyone in town.” 

            This remark seems completely out of character for Ophelia until the end of the play.  In Act four, scene five, Ophelia is singing:

            Tomorrow 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 donned his clo’es

                        And dupped the chamber door,

            Let in the maid, that out a maid

                        Never departed more. (IV.v.48-55)

In this song, first Ophelia sings in first person when she sings “I a maid at your window.”  Then by the end of the stanza “Let in the maid, that out a maid / Never departed more” suggests that Ophelia has lost her virginity.  Without this song by Ophelia, there would be no other reason to suspect her of adultery.