The Ophelia Project“Most people don't know the answer to the question, 'How are you? How do you feel?' The reason they don't know this is that they are so busy feeling what they should feel, thinking what they should think, that they never get to examine their deepest feelings. (Hayakawa 1) Society dictates and influences human beings in such a way that we begin to imitate what it wants us to be. In the play Hamlet written by the memorable author William Shakespeare, Ophelia fails to be herself and enjoy life as it is, but instead lets the men around her control her life. The character of Ophelia is depicted as a weak and helpless individual. Shakespeare indirectly portrays Ophelia as a vulnerable character; Thomas G. Plummer makes a connection to the Ophelia syndrome that everyone experiences due to a lack of self-empowerment and personal will. In particular, in the article Diagnosing and Treating the Ophelia Syndrome T. Plummer writes to us about Ophelia's dilemma and explains in depth one way in our daily lives how we experience Ophelia Syndrome. In the play, Ophelia is an adult who does not form her own opinions, a carbon copy of what Polonius, Laertes and Hamlet should be. In our daily lives we may suffer from Ophelia syndrome, for example: "Universities may be making their more serious students, those who have been 'good' all their lives, vulnerable to Ophelia syndrome instead of motivating them to individuation." (Plummer 2) The syndrome consists of not being able to achieve individuation which is the process of learning to distinguish oneself from others, failure to achieve individuation opens the door to vulnerability leaving one prone to becoming independent or..... . at the center of the sheet...fe, her struggle to appear and feel divine and to overcome Hamlet's love. The white dress and white flowers represent the person she once was, innocent and morally pure before she lost her virginity to Hamlet. The fade in effect gives the illusion that Ophelia was once a vibrant and colorful person who disintegrated her beauty and personality in favor of the towering personalities around her. Ophelia's personality explains the importunity into which weak individuals fall. Shakespeare indirectly portrays Ophelia as a vulnerable character; Thomas G. Plummer imposes a connection with an Ophelia syndrome that everyone experiences. Therefore, learning to think for yourself and build a path to individuation is an important self-empowerment skill. Do you think if Ophelia had a stronger personality and had the courage to stand up for her rights, the show would have ended differently??