To Exist or not to Exist£­Ophelia in To Exist or not to Exist£­Ophelia in Hamlet

¡°For most critics of Shakespeare, Ophelia has been an insignificant minor character in the play.¡± Some critics even suspect the necessity of Ophelia¡¯s existence. Although the inclination seems reasonable, that Ophelia plays an indispensable part in Hamlet proves eloquently that she is a requisite figure in accelerating the development of the plot in Hamlet.
In Act I,2,5-44;90-137, Ophelia¡¯s first appearance serves as a fundamental foil for the unfolding of the following acts. Ophelia¡¯s brother, Laertes, and father, Polonius, respectively talked to her about Hamlet¡¯s love overtures. From their utterances, we see that Hamlet and Ophelia were in love, that Hamlet had a profound affection for Ophelia; and that Polonius and Laertes forbade Ophelia to accept Hamlet¡¯s love:
Polonius:¡¯Tis told me he hath very oft of late
Given private time to you, and you yourself
Have of your audience been most free and bounteous.
Ophelia: He hath, my lord, of late mad...