Ophelia- Quotes

Question 1

“Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven; Whiles, like a puff’d and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, And recks not his own rede.”
(Act 1, Scene 3)

Answer 1

Ophelia says this to Laertes as he advises her to be cautious about her relationship with Hamlet. She reminds him not to be hypocritical by failing to follow his own advice, showing her wit and awareness

Question 2

“My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul’d, Ungarter’d, and down-gyved to his ankle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell To speak of horrors,—he comes before me.”
(Act 2, Scene 1)

Answer 2

Ophelia describes to Polonius her encounter with Hamlet, who appeared disheveled and disturbed, setting the stage for her role in conveying the extent of Hamlet’s madness

Question 3

“O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown! The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s, eye, tongue, sword; Th’ expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion and the mould of form, Th’ observed of all observers, quite, quite down!”
(Act 3, Scene 1)

Answer 3

Ophelia laments Hamlet’s apparent madness, reflecting on the loss of his former greatness and the profound impact it has on her, highlighting her deep affection and sorrow

Question 4

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies, that’s for thoughts… There’s fennel for you, and columbines: there’s rue for you; and here’s some for me: we may call it herb of grace o’ Sundays: O you must wear your rue with a difference.”
(Act 4, Scene 5)

Answer 4

In her madness, Ophelia distributes flowers to the court, each with symbolic meanings that reflect her feelings of betrayal, sorrow, and disillusionment with those around her