How many lines does Ophelia have in Hamlet?

The size of the part, every scene it speaks in, its longest speeches, and how long it takes to learn.

The Offbook team

Oct 8, 2026

Ophelia has about 150 lines in Hamlet: 1,174 words in 58 speeches, 4% of the play, and the 6th-largest part. The role speaks in 5 of the 20 scenes, and its longest wait is 6 scenes in a row without a line.

Ophelia speaks in only five scenes, but two of them are among the hardest in the play: the “noble mind” speech after the nunnery scene, and the mad scene with its songs in the fourth act.

Lines: 150
Words: 1,174
Share of play: 4%
Speech time: 8 min

43% of the words are verse. 58 speeches means about 58 cues to learn.

Scene by scene

Scene	Words	Minutes
Act 1, Scene 3	141	1.0
Act 2, Scene 1	231	1.6
Act 3, Scene 1	226	1.6
Act 3, Scene 2	90	0.6
Act 4, Scene 5	486	3.5

The longest speeches

Speech	Scene	Words
“He took me by the wrist and held me hard;”	Act 2, Scene 1	125
“O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!”	Act 3, Scene 1	99
“And will he not come again? And will he not come a…”	Act 4, Scene 5	67
“My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,”	Act 2, Scene 1	64
“Pray you, let’s have no words of this; but when th…”	Act 4, Scene 5	63
“There’s fennel for you, and columbines: there’s ru…”	Act 4, Scene 5	63
“Indeed, la, without an oath, I’ll make an end on’t:”	Act 4, Scene 5	62
“I hope all will be well. We must be patient: but I…”	Act 4, Scene 5	55

How many lines a day to learn

New lines a day to be off book in time, learning five days a week. Review what you already know on the other days.

Time until off book	New lines a day
2 weeks	15
3 weeks	10
4 weeks	8
6 weeks	5

Questions actors ask