What are the different ways in which an audience can interpret the actions of Ophelia in Hamlet?

Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius (the Kings adviser) and lover of Prince Hamlet is a very complex character. We see several sides to her persona; the audience could interpret her actions differently depending on their own views and opinions of her predicament.

There are two main ways in which Ophelia could be viewed. She could be viewed as a callous, weak-willed, morally suspect, selfish temptress or, as feminists argue, the victim as she was exploited throughout the play. There is sufficient evidence to support both of these claims, but in order to decide either way we have to study Ophelia's actions to see how they could be perceived.

We could decide that Ophelia is weak willed as she chooses her father’s wish over her relationship with her lover. When she is told not,
‘to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet’ (1.)
She obliges with minimal resistance. Ophelia’s weak, careless attitude is portrayed throughout the play and she seems to go along with everyo...