The Elizabethan play Hamlet by William Shakespeare is without a doubt one of Shakespeare's most puzzling plays. Although the play has a concise story, it is filled with many questions pertaining to different topics behind the story line. One question in particular is did Hamlet really love Ophelia? This argument can be supported in both directions, however I feel that Hamlet did love Ophelia. Support for this decision comes from Hamlet's treatment towards Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 2, and at Ophelia's grave in Act 5, Scene 1. The play Hamlet is about the trials, and tribulations met by Prince...
of their love for her. It is to this challenge that Hamlet declares, "I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum." 131 Act 5 Scene 1 Line 272.

Although there have been scenes in which the reader has great doubt, he/she comes to feel that Hamlet loved Ophelia. His claims of love, and his bitter reaction to her rejection prove his love. Although Shakespeare may not have made it clear, the popular belief supports Hamlet's love for Ophelia. Shakespeare's reason for inconsistency adds to the many mysteries of Hamlet.