#16: Let's Talk, Seng

Oh Mr. Seng, what do you think of yourself? The accusations you make, the sad opinions you express. I have discovered your piece analyzing dear Ophelia. One shouldn't speak of the dead as you do and insinuate such madness. I was especially offended when you wrote, "it is easy to imagine the Queen's guilt start, her sudden dread..." I am saddened that I could not be with Ophelia in her mental decline, but I assure you that I carry none of the blame. Let's get real, Seng. Ophelia's mental instability was caused by my own son's wavering attitude, and Ophelia's great investment in the relationship, driven mad by her own love. 

Even my own son told his dear Ophelia "to a nunnery go" (3.1.140). As he continued to belittle her and reject her advances, she began to break down little by little. And as a woman, I can relate with her situation. Throughout their relationship, Hamlet continued to blame Ophelia for her womanly ways, saying that he knows "well enough what monster [women] make of men" (3.1.131). And therefore, when Mr. Seng suggests that Ophelia's home has "become a prison" for her. And who is the cause for this? Hamlet. And Laertes himself. "Let her come in" (4.5.15) I spoke when Ophelia came to us for help. I exclaimed it in hope that Ophelia would come on her own and seek my help, which was offered to her. I wish that Ophelia would have been able to see me as the mother figure she never really had in her life. Her father was clearly not able to provide the comfort she needed in that situation. 

He provides her with some form of comfort characteristic of a stoic father by saying, 

“I do know, when the blood burns, how prodigal the soul lends the tongue vows” (1.3.117). It is this advice that eventually led to Polonius's spying on Hamlet on my behalf. We simply were in search of the truth, and we were on the side of justice for Ophelia. He even says "I will find where truth is hid, though it were his indeed within the centre,” (2.2.156) which clearly proves Polonius's good intentions. This is where we truly differ, Mr. Seng. Polonius's flaw was that he cared too much that he spied on Hamlet and his daughter. This does not lead to his demise.

I encourage you Mr. Seng, visit this website they call Google. Fact check yourself. Because I was actually there. I know what happened.