Body Paragraph 1: Hamlet

Shakespeare’s use of language in Hamlet gives the readers the opportunity to look beyond the actions of each character and explore the story through text. As Ophelia and Hamlet are never put on stage together until Act 3, Shakespeare creates a relationship never acted out, but solely through the use of language and conflict. The language of both characters clearly implies their love for each other, but the language of their peers reveals their disapproval for this relationship, thus causing an inner conflict between each character. In Act I, Ophelia faces her brother, Laertes, as he gives her advice about her secret relationship with Hamlet; “ Perhaps he loves you now, and now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch the virtue of his will: but you must fear, His greatness weigh’d, his will is not his own; for he himself is subject to his birth” (Hamlet Act 1). Laertes strongly disapproves of their relationship, as he believes that Hamlet will solely choose a wife based on his royalty and not for love. Although Laertes attempts to protect his sister, this conversation instigates conflict through his threatening and strict language, warning Ophelia of the consequences. Now, Ophelia must choose between her heart and the opinions of her family. Similarly, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia instigates conflict between himself and Ophelia’s father, Polonius. As the secret of their relationship spreads, Polonius becomes protective of his daughter and views Hamlet as a madman; “How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter: yet he knew me not at first; ‘a said I was a fishmonger: ‘a is far gone: and truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for love; very near this” (Hamlet Act 2). Polonius views Hamlet’s love as overly intense, disapproving of their love and Hamlet himself. Although their relationship instigates conflict between characters, their love itself is defined through these conflicts as there is never true interaction between Hamlet and Ophelia.