In this essay I am going to explore the character of Ophelia. Even though Ophelia is not the central character in the play `Hamlet' she is still an important one, and I am going to investigate her character and personality. I will look at her relationship with Hamlet in detail but also the relationship she has with Laertes and Polonius. Her madness will also be analysed and her death. To do this I will examine the form, structure and language used in the play. I will also study the literary devices used within the text such as alliteration, metaphors and similes.

Shakespeare, in the portrayal of Ophelia shows how men in a strong patriarchal society controlled women in the 1600s. The influence of men in Ophelia's life is evident throughout by the relationships with men in her life. It is interesting to note that Ophelia's first scene is...