OPHELIA'S DEATH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1355, 5 February 1912, Page 4

OPHELIA'S DEATH.

♦ WAS IT A. CASE OF SUICIDE P "As a student I would like to know why Ophelia in 'Hamlcf was not granted a full Christian burial?" writes "Caliban." "In view of the scant evidence of anything of the kind," he •continues, "I am inclined to agree with Laertes that tho priest was churlish in not granting a full Christian burial. Tho news that the poor demented creature lad been drowned is borne by tho Queen, who in announcing tho report to Laertes says: There is a willow grows aslant the brook That shows his hoar leaves in tho glassy stream There with fantastic garlands did she come. ... ' . There on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds clambering to hang, An envious sliver broke, When down her weedy trophies and herself fell in the'weeping brook. "An accident pure and simple if hte recorded lines speak truth. The girl in | her dementia sought (o hang her garlands: on a willow branch that overhung a„ stream, tho bough broke, and she was* precipitated iuto the water and was drowned. In any case the girl was "'.ad and not accountable for her actions, ami was therefore not a suicide outright. Tho point is iirst raised by the grave-diggers, and gives matter for some amusing jhilosophising; then Hamlet, observing the funeral train, says: "Who is this they follow, and with such maimed rites?' Then, finally, there is tho protest of Laertes at (lie graveside at- the priest only allowing his sister a Christian burial in part. On thinking over the point. 1 have come to hold that Ophelia did really drown herself, and that the Queen, to soften tho blow to Laertes, invents a white lie about the willow bough bi-a-ilt-ing. Can any Shakespearian student enlighten mo further?"