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All Site ContentHamletAct 2Scene 1
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Is Hamlet in love?
Context and Language Videos
Act 2,
Scene 1
Lines 87-100

A discussion of whether or not Hamlet is in love in Act 2, Scene 1 of myShakespeare's Hamlet. 

myShakespeare | Hamlet 2.1 Discussion: Is Hamlet Crazy in Love?

Ophelia

He took me by the wrist, and held me hard.
Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
And with his other hand thus o'er his brow
He falls to such perusal of my face
As he would draw it. Long stayed he so.
At last, a little shaking of mine arm,
And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He raised a sigh so piteous and profound
That it did seem to shatter all his bulk 
And end his being. That done, he lets me go
And with his head over his shoulder turned,
He seemed to find his way without his eyes,
For out of doors he went without their help,
And to the last bended their light on me.     
Video Transcript: 

RALPH: Hamlet's gestures are exactly like those of a conventional lover: the back of his hand over his brow while he sighs sadly, then he exits the room without taking his eyes off her.

SARAH: Just like an anguished lover in an old silent movie.

RALPH: Silent is the right word! Hamlet doesn't utter a word, besides his deep sigh. Ophelia and Polonius are in the same situation we are, as audience members: we must interpret Hamlet's intentions from his actions alone.

SARAH: That's right, Ralph. Of course, we know a bit more than Ophelia and her father do — we've witnessed the ghost and heard his shocking revelations — but Hamlet's behavior towards Ophelia is still rather baffling.