Although Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship creates conflict throughout their peers, the true conflict rests among themselves. Shakespeare presents two characters with an incredibly complex relationship, manipulated by their families, as exemplified through their distinctive language. As Hamlet pretends to become a madman, his language towards Ophelia reveals incredibly verbose, filled with long and expressive language. In contrast, Ophelia’s appears short with reserved emotions as manipulation by her family changes her mind. The reader can infer that Hamlet and Ophelia are madly in love, but the way they show their love leaves the reader unsure, as their language proves unequal; “ Soft you now! The fair Ophelia!—Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remember’d” (3.1.88-89). Based on his language, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia reveals immense and powerful. After his soliloquy expressing his agony for the loss of his father and kingdom, his language becomes softer once Ophelia appears in the court. His ability to diminish all his painful feelings and become peaceful upon Ophelia’s presence reveals his admiration for her, another symbol of their relationship. But his language proves the complete opposite of Ophelia’s as she reveals unsure of their relationship while hiding her emotions behind her words; “My honour’d lord, you know right well you did; and, with them, words of so sweet breath compos’d as made the things more rich: their perfume lost, take these again; for to the noble mind rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind” (2.1.98-101). Ophelia hides her love for Hamlet, manipulated by her father and his disapproving opinion of their relationship. Although her cynical words prove harsh as she returns her undesired gifs, her language hints at her true feelings. “So sweet breath compos’d” reveals Ophelia’s struggle for love as she is forced to neglect her feelings for Hamlet, but also must obey her father’s orders and reject Hamlet’s offerings. Although Shakespeare presents both characters’ speech as widely different, their language allows the readers to discover their love beneath their shallow and manipulated words.
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