Hamlet loved Ophelia before he feigned madness, and he continues to love her without ceasing, actually. He only pretends to stop loving her for one of two reasons (both are plausible): either because he feels betrayed by her and her obedience to her father, who Hamlet believes to be corrupt as a result of his close association with Claudius, or because he wants to protect her from any potential fall-out with Claudius that might occur...
Hamlet loved Ophelia before he feigned madness, and he continues to love her without ceasing, actually. He only pretends to stop loving her for one of two reasons (both are plausible): either because he feels betrayed by her and her obedience to her father, who Hamlet believes to be corrupt as a result of his close association with Claudius, or because he wants to protect her from any potential fall-out with Claudius that might occur as a result of his vow to exact revenge on the king for killing Hamlet's father. When Hamlet learns that the grave being prepared in Act 5, Scene 1, is actually for Ophelia, he fights with Laertes, her brother, about who loved her more. Hamlet says, "I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers / Could not with all their quantity of love / Make up my sum" (5.1.285-287). He swears that he is willing to be buried with her in order to prove his loving devotion. Thus, Hamlet never stopped loving Ophelia.
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