William Shakespeare's longest play, Hamlet, is his ultimate masterpiece and is filled with symbolic importance regarding relations between the sexes. Part of the tragedy revolves around Hamlet and his relationship with Ophelia, as well as his relationship with the other men in this play. Elaine Showalter states that "she only appears in five of the play's twenty scenes", which gives few details about her profile. For Ophelia's death to be tragic, she must experience anagnorisis – the moment in the plot, especially in a tragedy, where the protagonist recognizes her true identity, or that of another character , and discovers the true nature of his own identity. situation (Anagorisis). Ophélie, in her madness, ends up taking this into account and, for lack of alternatives, she accepts death. Dr. Annette Wyandotte quotes: “It could be argued that Ophelia's death is Hamlet's true tragedy. » There is enough evidence provided for the reader to understand Ophelia, her struggle, her madness, and her tragedy. As a woman, Ophelia has limited options in a patriarchal, male-dominated society and can be interpreted as a representative of the majority of women in the world. Renaissance era: second-class citizen in a man's world. This separates her from Hamlet, who is able to change her destiny. The status of women in Shakespeare's time, and long before, was remarkable. Very few were granted property rights, a voice in government, an education, or a career (Wyandotte). Ophelia's role in the play is established very early on. In Act I, Scene III, her brother, Laertes, advises her to remain cautious around Hamlet, telling her: "keep thyself in the rear of thy affection, out of the battlefield and the danger of desire" (1.3 line 34-35). She is able to oppose her brother's advice, but ...... middle of paper ......r family and by Hamlet, and in the end, her brother leaves, Hamlet the gave up, and her father was killed, and she lost everyone. Works Cited “Anagnorisis”. Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, nd Web. March 19, 2014. Chen, Yi-Chi. “Pregnant with the struggle of Madness-Ophelia and madness in Hamlet.” Nch.edu. Np, Nov. 2, 2011. Internet. March 16, 2014.Dane, Gabrielle. “Read the madness of Ophelia.” FC Server. Np, November 27, 2006. Web. March 16. 2014.Loberg, Harmony. “Queen Gertrude: monarch, mother, murderess.” School. Np, and Web. March 16. 2014. Mabillard, Amanda. “An Introduction to Ophelia from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.” An introduction to Ophelia from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Np, August 20, 2000. Web. March 16, 2014. Wyandotte, Annette. “Questions of country and memories of sins: Ophelia to Hamlet, prince of Denmark. » Np, July 22, 2002. Web. March 14. 2014.