In Hamlet, Ophelia is seen as an innocent young woman, who cannot make decisions for herself. She is constantly being ruled over and tormented by the men in her life, giving her say in almost nothing. Regardless of how strong and bright she was internally, she was never truly able to be herself. Ophelia is driven to a crazed and distracted state due to the oppressive nature of the men in her life. She was pushed to this point as a result of: her class which prevented her from being with the man she loved, her feeling of loneliness abandonment, and her sense powerlessness.
From the beginning of the play, Ophelia had been discouraged, and even forbidden from being with the man she loved, Hamlet. "Tender yourself more dearly, or-not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, running it thus-you'll tender me a fool." (Act 1 Scene 3 ll 110) Polonius explained to Ophelia selfishly. Although Ophelia's heart was telling her to be with Hamlet, she had no choice but to listen to her father, due to the fact that at this time in history, women were considered the property of their fathers, until marriage. She begins to realize no matter how much she loved Hamlet, and no matter how much he loved her, she would never be truly happy; because of the fact that it was not in Polonius' best interest. Her desires become mere fantasy, due to the perpetual oppression and presence of the men surrounding her.
With her brother Laertes away in France, and her love Hamlet mentally distant, Ophelia had no emotional outlet, which inevitably led her to a crazed and distracted state. "Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord. Farewell, Ophelia" (Act 1 Scene 3 ll 84 ) Laertes was like a father figure to Ophelia, regardless of the fact that their father was alive. She was able to confide in him however he lived far off in France. Even when Ophelia was feeling most hopeless and "distracted", she had no means of sharing and discussing her troubles.
