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Hamlet’s Love for Ophelia
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet raises many concerns about the authenticity of Hamlet’s
love for Ophelia. Although the plot shows Hamlet’s exploitation of Ophelia as a means of
attaining some of his objectives, there is also textual evidence indicating his genuine love for her.
When they are alone, the love and affection that Hamlet shows Ophelia is honest and is evident
throughout the play, and he also confesses it after her death. Thus, this paper argues that Hamlet
loves Ophelia and has never stopped loving her despite the challenging situations in the tragedy.
Hamlet says to Ophelia, “I did love you” (Hamlet 3.1.125). In this confession, Hamlet
indicates his love to her, but immediately retracts after realizing that Polonius, Ophelia’s father,
is monitoring his utterances. Afterwards, Hamlet requests Ophelia to visit the nunnery, which
initially appears as mockery, because he knows that she is pregnant and requires medical
attention. Although he criticizes her for “bringing the child to such an evil world”, Hamlet shows
his love to Ophelia by caring for her condition (3.1.131). In this scene, he expresses both love
and hate for Ophelia because of the suspicion that someone is listening to their conversation.
Thus, he conceals his affection and sometimes pretends that he does not love her.
Ophelia’s death also proves that Hamlet loved her. At the cemetery, Hamlet confronts
Laertes and states, “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers. Could not with all their quantity of
love. Make up my sum” (5.1.285-87). There is no reason for the confession of his love after her
death, but Hamlet believes it is necessary to correct the notion that he did not love Ophelia.
