I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothersCould not, with all their quantity of love,Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?...'Swounds, show me what thou'lt do:Woo't weep? woo't fight? woo't fast? woo't tear thyself?Woo't drink up eisel? eat a crocodile?I'll do't. Dost thou come here to whine?To outface me with leaping in her grave?Be buried quick with her, and so will I:And, if thou prate of mountains, let them throwMillions of acres on us, till our ground,Singeing his pate against the burning zone
In this poignant passage, Hamlet expresses his intense love for Ophelia, claiming that even if he had forty thousand brothers, their collective love would not equal his own. He challenges Laertes, questioning the lengths he is willing to go to honor his sister's memory. Hamlet's grief ignites a fierce rivalry, showcasing the depth of his emotions amidst the chaotic circumstances surrounding Ophelia's death.
Hamlet's rhetorical questions highlight the extremes to which he is willing to go, prompting Laertes to show action rather than merely grieving. He is adamant about proving his love, reflecting Hamlet's passionate nature and the tumultuous connection between love, grief, and revenge. This moment captures the essence of Shakespeare's exploration of deep emotional bonds and the impact of loss on the human psyche.
