I can’t believe
my father! And my brother! They tell me to stay away from hamlet? But I love
him so. Why must my father be so stern? I love Hamlet, and he loves me! He loves
me well and he loves me true. "My lord, he hath importuned me with love
/ in honorable fashion." (1.3.109-110) I told him, and yet he doesn’t believe
me. He is stuck in his own ways, and my brother is right there with him. Hamlet
tells me he loves me all the time. And they just don’t get it. They think he’s
using me, and that he really doesn’t care about me. Why would he use me if he
could have any other woman in Denmark?
Laertes is a little better about it though, he’s not forbidding me. He just
disagrees with my choice. He doesn’t like Hamlet, but he respects my decision
more. He gets it. He knows I love him. He just thinks its lust over love. Which
it is not! Its mutual love. After all he is my big brother and he’s looking out
for me. I appreciate that. But it’s my life, my love. So let me do what I want!
But what else
could I say but "I will obey, my
lord" (1.3.136)? I mean I can’t disobey my father. What he says goes. If he
wishes it, it shall be done.
Ophelia,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand, unfortunately. My father and brother don't want me to be with the man I love either. Like my father even had the nerve to say, "In few, Ophelia, / Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers / Not of that dye which their investments show, / But mere implorators of unholy suits, / Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, / The better to beguile. This is for all: / I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, / Have you so slander any moment leisure, / As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet." (1.3.126-134). I think our fathers, and brother, should maybe let us find our own mistakes. I mean yeah, he could just be using you, because you are, "The fair Ophelia!—Nymph," (3.1.90)
But I really don't think he is using you. Hamlet isn't like that, he is a kind and gentle person. Unfortunately since you said, "I will obey, my lord." (1.3.136) there is not much you can do about your situation, well because you can't talk to Hamlet now. Hopefully he understands that your father is just being WAY over protective.
Your conscience Ophelia
Ophelia,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your ideals, and I also believe that Hamlet needs you in these dark times. As he said, “My lord, he hath importuned me with love in honorable fashion.” (1.3.110). This only irritated Polonius the more. You should pursue your own interests, my dear, because happiness is fleeting.
-Gertrude