Eulogy for Ophelia

     Ophelia was a young girl who unfortunately passed long before her time was due. It is not easy to deal with the loss of family, especially an important member like a father. It is not surprising to see that Ophelia spiraled into a madness that ended with her death. It seems almost unreal that Ophelia died while in a such a serene state of mind.
     A mad Hamlet, in my opinion, was the lead contributor to her demise. Not only did he treat her roughly after their breakup, he killed her father! He destroyed the mindset of a once innocent girl, and took from her her happiness. Contrary to popular belief, she died from drowning. She did not take her own life, for that would be a sin in our religion. Ophelia was no the type of girl who would resort to taking her own life. She would fight for every last breath she could muster.
     However, the death may not have been completely unintentional. Yes, the fall was an accident and the weight of her water-logged clothes was probably too much to bear, but she did seem rampant in the moments before her death. Maybe her picking the flowers brought a sense of resolve and contentment? Maybe after she was underwater, she decided not to fight against fate any longer? Maybe she decided to let life take it's course and take her away from the sorrow she was experiencing? It is irrelevant as to what the truth behind the incident was, because now she is gone and all we can do is think of the good to honor her memories.
     Ophelia was stricken by many unfortunate events. It is amazing that she stood tall as long as she did. Any normal person would have buckled under the sorrow long before she did. Having your ex-boyfriend go crazy and then kill your father is something unfathomable. All we can do now is pity her and hope that is in a better place. When Gertrude found her, she had a peaceful expression on her face while holding a bouquet of flowers. This would not be the representation of someone caught in an act of sin. This is the face of someone who has made amends in their life, and embraces the end with confidence. If only we all could go in such a manner as Ophelia...God bless her soul and may she rest in peace.