Order It: Ophelia's Soliloquy in Hamlet

When you think of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, soliloquies may be the first thing that comes to mind: “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” or “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt” or perhaps Shakespeare’s best-known line, “To be or not to be—that is the question.” Through seven soliloquies, Hamlet shares what’s on his mind with the audience.

But what of Ophelia? She speaks through short lines including the memorable “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance,” songs, and a dozen powerful lines of heartbreak after Hamlet denies that he loved her and tells her: “To a nunnery, go.” Try ordering the lines of her soliloquy in this quiz:

Ophelia has inspired actors and directors, painters, musicians, and writers over four centuries. On stage she has been played by the great actresses of every generation. She has been portrayed on screen since the days of early silent films. Bob Dylan dedicated an entire chorus to her in his 1965 song “Desolation Row.” A moon of Uranus is named after her.

But what if we could hear more from her? In a new play, A Room in the Castle, playwright Lauren M. Gunderson reimagines Ophelia’s story, and the stories of her handmaid and Queen Gertrude, too, in a hilarious and heart-rending drama with music and defiant hope for the future. The world premiere, co-produced with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, performs at Folger Theatre March 4 through April 6.