Beginning of Essay
Gertrude and Ophelia are the only two leading ladies in Hamlet and have been seen as similar characters from outside impressions. Both are followers and easily led by the men they love. Also, they are both confused and not in control of their surroundings. However ....

Middle of Essay
.... smallest approach, except in some of the old romantic ballads” (http://www.bga.com/~melissab/ophelia_charshakplay.html). Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, chief advisor to the Claudius and the sister of Laertes. Ophelia is generally agreed to be somewhere between the ages of sisteen and nineteen and most others agree that she is an older teenager. Hamlet, has been courting her and there has been much debate of whether Hamlet and Ophelia were ever in love. While few doubt Ophelia’s affections for the prince, Hamlet's love for her is questionable because of his later behavior. However, this could also work as proof of his love for her ....