Hamlet as an accessory to Ophelia's suicideThe character of Ophelia played by William Shakespeare in Hamlet suffers enormously, from the moment she learns of the death of her father Polonius, until his own mysterious death. In Hamlet, Gertrude, Horatio and Claudius discuss her condition, and conclude that she is mad1[1]. Although there is some truth to this statement, Shakespeare created Ophelia as an overly dramatic character, who somewhat exaggerates her emotions to give the impression of madness. Although their impression of Ophelia may be supported, the evidence is not as apparent in her words as in her actions. Ophelia's songs resemble riddles and absurdities2[2], and yet they resemble Hamlet's speech patterns, revealing true truths and emotions, and sometimes sarcasm. However, Ophelia's whimsical and childlike behavior is quite different from that of the shy and reserved Ophelia at the beginning of the play. Yet this behavior is not consistent with the sad lyrics of his grief-laden songs, nor with a grieving woman. Ophelia's physical behavior is the strongest evidence that Ophelia may be showing signs of insanity. Hamlet's act of convincing everyone who knew him of his madness influenced Ophelia to follow Hamlet's lead with her feigned madness, ultimately leading to the girl's suicide, thus implicating Hamlet in her death. In act four, scene five; Gertrude and Horatio discuss Ophelia's worsening condition just before her entrance. They attribute the girl's decline to her concern for her recently deceased father. Ophelia shows signs of being overly sensitive and unstable, which concerns Horatio: "Enviously throws up straws, says things in doubt / It carries but...... middle of paper ......Notes :1[1] Hamlet, (4.5.3,5-10).2[2] Hamlet, (4.5.7)3[3] Hamlet, (4.5.6-7).4[4] Neely, Carol Thomas , "Document in Madness", University of Illinois, Shakespeare Criticism Yearbook 1991, Volume 19, pp 333-334.5[5] Hamlet, (4.5.21).6[6] Hamlet, (4.5.29-32)7 [7]Hamlet, (2.2. 186)8[8] Turner, John, "Hamlet: The Court in Transition". 4.5.47-54)11[11] Neely, p. 333.12[12] Hamlet, (4.5.55).13[13] Neely, p. Hamlet, (4.5.176-186)16[16] Persoon, James. “Shakespeare's Hamlet: the significance of Ophelia's distribution of herbs and flowers” ​​Explanator, v. 55, Wntr 1997, pp 70-71.17[17] Persoon, p 71.18[18]Hamlet., (2.2109)