Hamlet 7

In Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, Ophelia and Hamlet are foil characters based on their experiences throughout the play. Both have only one parent figure. In Hamlet's case, although Gertrude is his real mother, Claudius is the one acting as the parent. Gertrude simply goes along with everything Claudius says. In Ophelia's family, Polonius is her father; however, Laertes, her brother, takes the initiative as the father figure. Gertrude and Polonius are equal because they are both manipulated and rather clueless throughout the play. As the play opens, Hamlet is seen as insane simply because he is grieving his father's death. King Claudius constantly condemns Hamlet's actions. Similarly, King Claudius characterizes Ophelia as mad when she starts grieving for her father's death: "It springs All from her father's death, and now behold!" (IV.v.80-81). It is ironic that Ophelia becomes insane because due to Hamlet's insanity, Claudius and Polonius ask her to act in front of Hamlet in order to help them with their plan.