BH
Ophelia
Lover of Hamlet, Ophelia increasingly becomes unhinged at the many events that happen to her. Her father is murdered by the man she loves who then tells her to get away from him. All of these painful acts in a short time cause Ophelia to have a disorder known as brief psychotic episode in the form of Brief Reactive Psychosis. Ophelia throughout the course of the play shows the symptoms of catatonic behavior, disorganized speech, and delusions.
Catatonic Behavior/ Disorganized Speech
Delusions
At the death of her father, Ophelia begins the descents into a psychotic episode. She appears early on to have the symptoms of disorganized speech.
“Says she hear there’s tricks i’ th’ world, and hems, and beats her heart… speaks things in doubt that carry but half sense. Her speech is nothing, yet the unshapèd use of it doth move.” (IV. V. 3-8)
-This is a quote from a servant to the Queen. He describes how Ophelia speaks but none of it makes sense. Such as she is experiencing disorganized speech.
-When Laertes first sees what has become of his sister, the King tries to speak to him and tells him this is what intense grief does to the mind.
“O, this is the poison of deep grief: it springs from her father’s death.” (IV. V. 75-76)
Ophelia also exhibits delusional moments when she speaks with the King of Denmark. The loss of her father and the feelings of betrayal from Hamlet further push her over the edge.
“Say you? Nay, pray you mark. He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone; At his head a grass-green turf, at his heels a stone.” (IV. V. 28-32)
-Her delusions mostly stem from the murder of her father. She even says this in Act 4 Scene 5, classically known as Ophelia's mad scene.
“I hope all will be well. We must be patient, but I cannot, choose but weep to think they would lay him i’ th’ cold ground.” (IV. V. 68-70)
-When her brother Laertes sees her for the first time he is beyond shocked at the delusions his loved sister is experiencing. Although in the original text it is called madness.
“O heavens, is’t possible a young maid’s wits should be as mortal as an old man’s life?” (IV. v. 159-160)
“A document in madness, thoughts and remembrance fitted.” (IV. v. 177)