Polonius and the King devise a plan to spy on Hamlet and confirm their suspicions about his madness. They instruct Ophelia to interact with Hamlet and try to elicit information from him while she is closely monitored. Polonius believes that if Hamlet's madness is caused by his love for Ophelia, she can be used as a tool to understand his state of mind.
Ophelia's reaction to the way Hamlet speaks to her:
When Hamlet encounters Ophelia, he initially treats her with kindness and affection, reminiscing about their past times together. However, as the conversation progresses, his behavior changes drastically. Hamlet becomes harsh, critical, and even cruel in his speech toward Ophelia. He accuses her of being dishonest, dismissive, and unfaithful.
Ophelia is shocked and deeply hurt by Hamlet's words. She pleads with him to stop and expresses her confusion about his sudden change of attitude. She cannot comprehend why the man she once loved and admired now treats her with such contempt and cruelty.
Ophelia's reaction is a mix of bewilderment, pain, and vulnerability. She is torn between her love for Hamlet and the harsh reality of his behavior. The encounter leaves her emotionally distraught and serves as a catalyst for her mental decline, which ultimately leads to her tragic demise.