To what extent are the male characters in William Shakespeare's Hamlet responsible for the downfall of their female counterparts.
...manipulates Ophelia to test Hamlet (of whom he is suspicious). In allying himself to Claudius, Polonius actually puts Ophelia in more danger, not keeping her from Hamlet but falsely pushing them together. This unfortunately causes his own and her ruin. The main problem with Polonius is his lack of acceptance of Ophelia and Laertes' independence. This is the only region where he can be blamed for Ophelia's death , perhaps his constant will to keep her under his guidance left her unable to cope with a difficult circumstance alone. Earlier in the same scene Laertes gives similar advice against Hamlet yet uses a more respectful, gentle tactic in his guidance of her, "keep you in the rear of your affection," and warns her of possible perils, "lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open." This is most likely due to their closeness of age but although he has her best interests at heart, leaves her alone and vulnerable. Before his journey to France Laertes repeatedly advises Ophelia to be cautious but shortly after his return finds himself at her funeral laying her " fair and unpolluted flesh." He is furious at Hamlet, the one man who could possibly have saved her. Although Hamlet following his father's actions to "revenge his most foul and unnatural murder" do set an evil fated course of actions in motion, it is impossible to lay much of the blame for any deaths except that of Polonius on Hamlet's shoulders. However, Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia does lead to her downfall. During his false madness Hamlet launches a diatribe towards her honesty which he states is incompatible with beauty, "God hath given you one face and you make yourselves another," the continued references to Ophelia and her supposed lies are seen by some critics as just part of Hamlet's complicated ploy to appear insane. However, mainly due to the unity between Gertrude and Claudius, Hamlet has obtained in my opinion a strong revulsion from all love and marriage in general. He asks Ophelia, "Why, wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?" as he is so repelled by everything, seeing only evil prevailing. Further evidence to support the view of Hamlet's maintained feelings for Ophelia occur just before they meet as Ophelia interrupts the end of Hamlet's famous soliloquy. As she enters the scene Hamlet shows his feelings for her regardless of the shadow cast by Hamlet's mind on dwelling negative aspects, "The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remember'd", by asking Ophelia to pray for him, Hamlet acknowledges his faults and the morality of what he may be about to do, not yet showing the inconsiderate nature towards others that will have evil repercussions. Hamlet's feelings for Ophelia affect him most unsurprisingly at her funeral. Afterwards an interesting contrast is shown between Hamlet's views then and of his soliloquy. By the immediate scene after the funeral Hamlet appears to have lost his sense of uncertainty, replacing it with an acceptance of one's fate, "There's a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will," this new found belief in destiny emerges towards the end of the play and is conceivably the first realisation of how consumed he has become with revenge. Whether or not we can blame Hamlet for Ophelia's death depends on how we view Ophelia's descent into madness. Her story is kept fairly vague on how her sanity transcends, all that is known is that her father's death affects her greatly, "I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died." She says this in her madness that occurs most probably due to her isolation. In the court she may have had very few friends and Hamlet's departure of course was not of his own choice but an order from Claudius. There are several inadvertent actions by Hamlet that collectively initiate disaster; even born on the same day the grave digger started work, Hamlet seems unable to escape death. Laertes is often viewed as a second revenge plot with several comparisons to how he becomes blinded by rage alike to Hamlet's passion and wrath. Queen Gertrude suffers the most from Laertes lack of control as he recklessly accepts Claudius' plan during the duel with no thought of responsibility to others. Laertes complete separation from reality allows Claudius to manipulate his lust for revenge which eventually kills not only himself but also Hamlet, Gertrude and Claudius. However, when comparing Laertes and Hamlet it must be taken into consideration that Hamlet is only particularly responsible for the death of Polonius and even spares Claudius at prayer. He appears to show a continuous sense of thought and perhaps a fear of repercussion unlike the vengeful Laertes stating, "I dare damnation," and "To cut his throat I'th' church." Hamlet like all heroes of Shakespearean tragedy contains a vital flaw in his persona, creating unrest that will eventually lead to his downfall. As Macbeth had his insane ambition and Othello his passionate love that lead to jealousy, Hamlet has his intense feelings of revenge that he is unable to control. Throughout the play Hamlet exemplifies in his own exploits the evil which is inseparable from human nature. After his father's death Hamlet gains a hatred for Claudius. This before the ghost even tells him of the "serpent that did sting thy father's life," occurs as Hamlet becomes jealous of Claudius steeping into the King's shoes and looking after Gertrude. With the Queen's supposed weakness Hamlet may have considered it his duty to be at her side. This interestin...