Why does not Hamlet feel guilty about killing Ophelia's father?

[Min]

Hamlet "seems" or maybe "did" love Ophelia, if you see how he feels
sad about Ophelia's death. Then isn't it normal to care for the father
of the woman he loves? Polonius is not a character one can admire, but
still it is hard for me to believe how Hamlet kills him and does not
give a second thought about Ophelia. He says, "Thou wretched, rash,
intruding fool, farewell" and no comments on Ophelia. Even in the
Ophelia's grave scene, Hamlet does not show any regrets about what he
had done. But by killing Polonius, Hamlet takes the father away from
Laertes and Ophelia. Hamlet has lost his father, so he should be
understanding for Ophelia's feelings, doesn't he? I personally think
that it is her father's death and the fact that it is her lover the
murderer that leads to Ophelia's madness. So I think it's Hamlet's
fault, and for me, Hamlet's behavior toward Polonius' death does not
make sense.

Please share with me your opinions! :)

[John W. Kennedy]

Well, in the first place, at this point in the play, Hamlet is none too
sure that Ophelia hasn't been dragged into a plot against him (and, in
fact, we in the audience know that she has). It takes her death to make
him abandon that notion.

But Hamlet is aware of what he has done.

But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
For, by the image of my cause, I see
The portraiture of his:

[Mark Cipra]

And, Min, you should check out a couple of the fine movie Hamlets to see how
this is handled in performance.

Post by John W. Kennedy
Well, in the first place, at this point in the play, Hamlet is none too
sure that Ophelia hasn't been dragged into a plot against him (and, in
fact, we in the audience know that she has). It takes her death to make
him abandon that notion.
But Hamlet is aware of what he has done.
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
For, by the image of my cause, I see
--
John W. Kennedy
Read the remains of Shakespeare's lost play, now annotated!
http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Double%20Falshood.html

[Min]

Mark, could you recommend those movies to me?
That would really help me choosing the right ones.:)

Post by Mark Cipra
And, Min, you should check out a couple of the fine movie Hamlets to see how
this is handled in performance.

Post by John W. Kennedy
Well, in the first place, at this point in the play, Hamlet is none too
sure that Ophelia hasn't been dragged into a plot against him (and, in
fact, we in the audience know that she has). It takes her death to make
him abandon that notion.
But Hamlet is aware of what he has done.
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
For, by the image of my cause, I see
--
John W. Kennedy
Read the remains of Shakespeare's lost play, now annotated!
http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Double%20Falshood.html

[Mark Cipra]

You couldn't find a bigger contrast in Hamlet's reaction to the death of
Polonius (and in almost every other way) than between Ethan Hawke's manic
remorse and Olivier's thin-lipped coldness. Of course if you really want
thin lips, you can check out the Branagh version, but he can't be held
responsible for the shape of his mouth.

Seriously, these are two of my favorite versions, Olivier's for the poetry,
Hawkes for the storytelling, and it happens they have strongly contrasting
reactions to killing Polonius. Neither addresses your original question -
why doesn't he at least think about Ophelia? - but he does have a lot on his
mind at that moment ...

Post by Min
Mark, could you recommend those movies to me?
That would really help me choosing the right ones.:)

Post by Mark Cipra
And, Min, you should check out a couple of the fine movie Hamlets to see how
this is handled in performance.

Post by John W. Kennedy
Well, in the first place, at this point in the play, Hamlet is none too
sure that Ophelia hasn't been dragged into a plot against him (and, in
fact, we in the audience know that she has). It takes her death to make
him abandon that notion.
But Hamlet is aware of what he has done.
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
For, by the image of my cause, I see
--
John W. Kennedy
Read the remains of Shakespeare's lost play, now annotated!
http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Double%20Falshood.html

[Whitt Brantley]

X-No-archive: yes

It's an actor choice. Mel Gibson's Hamlet already knew Ophelia was part of
the trio gathering info on him when he caught a glance of Claudius and
Polinius from the archway before he encountered Ophelia.

Post by Mark Cipra
You couldn't find a bigger contrast in Hamlet's reaction to the death of
Polonius (and in almost every other way) than between Ethan Hawke's manic
remorse and Olivier's thin-lipped coldness. Of course if you really want
thin lips, you can check out the Branagh version, but he can't be held
responsible for the shape of his mouth.
Seriously, these are two of my favorite versions, Olivier's for the poetry,
Hawkes for the storytelling, and it happens they have strongly contrasting
reactions to killing Polonius. Neither addresses your original question -
why doesn't he at least think about Ophelia? - but he does have a lot on his
mind at that moment ...

Post by Min
Mark, could you recommend those movies to me?
That would really help me choosing the right ones.:)

Post by Mark Cipra
And, Min, you should check out a couple of the fine movie Hamlets to
see

how

Post by Min

Post by Mark Cipra
this is handled in performance.

Post by John W. Kennedy
Well, in the first place, at this point in the play, Hamlet is none

too

Post by Min

Post by Mark Cipra

Post by John W. Kennedy
sure that Ophelia hasn't been dragged into a plot against him (and, in
fact, we in the audience know that she has). It takes her death to

make

Post by Min

Post by Mark Cipra

Post by John W. Kennedy
him abandon that notion.
But Hamlet is aware of what he has done.
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
For, by the image of my cause, I see
--
John W. Kennedy
Read the remains of Shakespeare's lost play, now annotated!
http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Double%20Falshood.html

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.806 / Virus Database: 548 - Release Date: 12/5/2004

[Elizabeth]

Hamlet weeps for Polonius but
that fact is only mentioned in the next scene.

At the very end of Act 3, Scene 4 the stage direction reads:
Exeunt severally; HAMLET dragging in POLONIUS.

In the next scene which moves from the Queen's closet to a room in the
castle, Claudius enters and says

Where is he gone?

Gertrude answers

To draw apart the body he hath kill'd:
O'er whom his very madness, like some ore
Among a mineral of metals base,
Shows itself pure; he weeps for what is done.

Claudius then tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
that Hamlet has dragged Polonius' body off and get the body and bring
it into the chapel.


Cordially,

Elizabeth