Ophelia's Madness

Caroll Camden's argument on the reasoning to Ophelia's madness is part of the theory I believed throughout the play. I believe, too, that her insanity stems from Hamlet's treatment of her. I also think, however, that the death of Polonius caused Ophelia to become mad. This is because following the death of a loved one, especially a father, is very traumatizing for a person. It is shown earlier in the play through Prince Hamlet, who lost his father to a tragic murder. He was grieving for weeks, and it can be seen that Ophelia was obviously rattled by her father's death as well. I believe, though, that her madness stems from not only from her father's death, but from Hamlet as well. Hamlet treated her poorly throughout the play, and him being responsible for her father's death put the nail in the coffin. "He warns her that Hamlet is merely playing with her aflections . . . " Camden is summarizing the warning of Laertes, Ophelia's brother, which states that Hamlet is simply trying to use her. This is where I believe Ophelia's role in the play comes into action. While I feel that her character and her death make the play more tragic, I believe her character serves as a way to highlight Hamlet's insanity and twisted behavior. The way he treats her throughout the play, such as when he lashes out at her or stares at her with a possessed look, acts as a way to show more external results of his insanity. Her character essentially is a way to take the internal conflict within Hamlet and provide it with an external mark.