Ophelia's Monologue from Act 3, Scene 1 of Hamlet

In Act 3, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia delivers a poignant monologue beginning with "O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!"

Synopsis:

Ophelia, deeply affected by Hamlet's erratic behavior and harsh rejection, laments the apparent downfall of his once noble and admirable mind.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Prior to this monologue, Ophelia has been instructed by her father, Polonius, and King Claudius to encounter Hamlet while they secretly observe, hoping to determine the cause of his madness. During this encounter, Hamlet denies having loved Ophelia and harshly tells her to "get thee to a nunnery," leaving her distressed and heartbroken.

Original Text:

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!
And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,
That sucked the honey of his music vows,
Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,
Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;
That unmatched form and feature of blown youth
Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is me
T’ have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

Oh, what a noble mind has been destroyed!
The discerning eye, eloquent tongue, and brave sword of the courtier, soldier, and scholar,
The hope and pride of our fair state,
The model of elegance and the standard of form,
The one admired by all observers, completely fallen!
And I, the most dejected and wretched of women,
Who once enjoyed the sweetness of his poetic vows,
Now see that noble and supreme reason,
Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;
That unparalleled form and features of blossomed youth
Blasted by madness. Oh, woe is me
To have seen what I have seen, and see what I see now!

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

  • O’erthrown: Overturned or destroyed.

  • Th’ expectancy and rose: The hope and finest example.

  • The glass of fashion: The mirror of elegance.

  • Mould of form: The model of proper behavior.

  • Deject: Disheartened or depressed.

  • Sucked the honey of his music vows: Enjoyed the sweetness of his poetic promises.

  • Sovereign reason: Supreme intellect.

  • Blown youth: Blossomed or matured youth.

  • Ecstasy: In this context, madness or frenzy.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

  1. Lamenting Hamlet's Downfall: 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!
    Ophelia mourns the collapse of Hamlet's noble mind, highlighting his multifaceted excellence and his status as the paragon of Denmark.

  2. Personal Grief: And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,
    That sucked the honey of his music vows,
    Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,
    Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;
    That unmatched form and feature of blown youth
    Blasted with ecstasy.
    She expresses her profound sorrow, recalling the sweetness of Hamlet's past affections and lamenting his descent into madness, which has marred his once unparalleled form and character.

  3. Concluding Sorrow: O, woe is me
    T’ have seen what I have seen, see what I see!
    Ophelia concludes with a poignant reflection on the tragic transformation she has witnessed in Hamlet.

Journey Keypoints:

  • Hook: Ophelia observes the drastic change in Hamlet's demeanor.

  • Turning Point: She reflects on the contrast between his former nobility and current madness.

  • Climax: Ophelia internalizes the personal impact of Hamlet's transformation on her own emotions.

  • Resolution: She laments the sorrow of witnessing such a profound downfall.

Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role:

  • Jean Simmons: Portrayed Ophelia in Laurence Olivier's 1948 film adaptation of Hamlet, earning an Academy Award nomination for her performance.

  • Helena Bonham Carter: Played Ophelia in Franco Zeffirelli's 1990 film version, delivering a nuanced interpretation of the character's vulnerability.

  • Kate Winslet: Assumed the role in Kenneth Branagh's 1996 film adaptation, offering a compelling portrayal of Ophelia's descent into madness.

This monologue delves into themes of lost potential, personal grief, and the tragic effects of mental deterioration, providing rich material for performance and analysis.