Hamlet 7

    After hearing the news of her father's murder and Hamlet's guilt, Ophelia breaks out in a fit of madness.this is the poison of deep grief. Claudius say after she exits, "It springs. All from her father’s death[...] Poor Ophelia, divided from herself and her fair judgment" (IV.v). It is possible that Ophelia's out burst is a genuine expression of how she feels although given the context of the play, it is likely that she is putting on an act like the other characters. While her emotions are completely justified, she may be exaggerating as to break out of the pigeonhole the other characters have placed her in. Since other characters have proven to be deceptive, and Ophelia is thought of only as meek and unassuming, she is attempting to break expectation.