Role of Parents in Hamlet

     The role of parents in Hamlet have been very significant throughout the play thus far. They play a part in both the apparent and underlying plots in the story. They drive their children's actions which leads to plot twists and overall makes Hamlet interesting as we watch these tragic and sometimes strange interactions between parent and child.
     The most obvious and perhaps important parent role in the play is that of Old Hamlet's. The kings role as a good father in his life, and a driving force of Hamlet's developing insanity after his death sets off the plot of the play. Hamlet is driven by the love he felt for his dead father and the anger instilled in him by the ghost to plot against Claudius throughout the play. Gertrude's role as Hamlet's mother differs greatly than the role of his father. By marrying Claudius she gives Hamlet reason to feel that women are weak and makes him distrust them. She also most likely attributes to Hamlet's unusual interest in his mother's sexuality. I think this is because her actions in the play have led to Hamlet's literal disgust with the idea of her as a sexual being. This probably has to do with his anger at how she betrayed his father.
     Polonius' role as Ophelia and Laertes' father is also significant in the play. Polonius does everything in his power to be in total control of his daughter. He takes great interest in her relationship with Hamlet and even commands to take certain actions in the relationship. This treatment leads to Ophelia's fate toward the end of the play. She loses her mind because there was no longer a man in her life to control and manipulate it. Polonius' traits are apparent in his son. Polonius was a man of action. For example, instead of sitting around wondering how Laertes was behaving in Paris he sends someone to spy on him. This type of action is seen in Laertes when he responds to his father's death by bursting in the castle with an angry mob.
     A less evident parental role influencing the play that of Old Fortinbras. Although Old Fortinbras is dead upon the beginning of the play readers have to assume his influence upon Prince Fortinbras was great. This is because the prince seems to be doing everything in his power throughout the play to avenge his father, just as Hamlet wishes to do. For all we know maybe King Fortinbras appeared to Prince Fortinbras as a spirit as well. This would certainly drive the prince's actions.
     It is apparent that the roles of parents are significant in Hamlet. From empowering fathers like King Hamlet to manipulative and sneaky ones like Polonius, every parent in this play has an important role in the unraveling of the plot. They're decisions and even orders drive their children's actions and this is why they somehow effect every character in the play.

Love letter to Ophelia

Dear Ophelia,
I'm writing you this letter because you haven't answered any of my calls. I left you messeges on your machine but I guess its broken because you haven't called back...With this in mind I took the liberty of sending you a new answering machine a few weeks ago but I guess it must have gotten lost in the mail because you still haven't called back. Come to think of it, I hope this letter makes it to you. I'm sure you've been very busy lately which is why I've heard less from you. I hope to see or hear from you soon. I'll be periodically calling you at intervals of 15 minutes, sending you frequent text messeges and regularly checking your Facebook. I'll also be standing outside of your window every night this week holding a boom box over my head hoping you might come outside to greet me. I miss you dearly my love.

                                                                                                              Love, Hamlet xxooxxoo