How does suicide affect the characters in Hamlet and their lives/actions?
theten Teacher eNotes Editor Suicide affects the characters in many ways, although there is only one character whom it is agreed actually commits suicide: Ophelia. Of course, there is some question as to whether Gertrude knew the wine in the goblet was poisoned, and since Ophelia was in such a fragile state of mind, there’s even a possibility that she didn’t really commit suicide. Hamlet is a play of questions, and often, we come away with even more after reading. Let’s begin with Ophelia though. Her death affects many characters, most strikingly her brother Laertes and Hamlet. When Gertrude enters with the news, Laertes is struck immediately. Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears; but yet It is our trick; nature her custom holds, Let shame say what it will. When these are gone, The woman will be out. Adieu, my lord.(205) I have a speech of fire, that fain would blaze But that this folly drowns it. So he refuses to cry, saying that Ophelia has had t
