Ophelia's Treatment Of Women In Hamlet

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Recommended: Gender roles are influenced by society

In society, men and women are encouraged to take on different roles best suited for their own abilities and interests due to such a patriarchal social structure. Therefore, some women feel that they need to advocate for the same rights as men, in which Hamlet is no exception. In Hamlet, Gertrude and Ophelia have small roles throughout the play, which are strictly male-dominated and seem to distance the interests between the men and the women throughout. Shakespeare portrays these women as minorities, victimized by the society in which they live, but soon come to terms with themselves as they slowly begin to realize their sexuality and desire for freedom.
Gertrude’s character is minimized when she is left out of the men’s plans for Hamlet even though she could be a useful source for information. “Sweet Gertrude, leave us too,/ For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither…” (3.1. 28-29). It can be inferred that Gertrude is seen as inferior to Claudius and since he has more “power”, he knows what is best …show more content…

Laertes tells Ophelia to distrust Hamlet and she easily follows his instructions instead of choosing her own fate. “I shall obey, my Lord” (1.4. 136). Her use of this statement at the end of scene four emphasizes to the reader how much authority the important men in her life have over her. Furthering the idea of being played, Ophelia is treated no better by Hamlet, the man whom she loves. Hamlet leads her on for quite some time and eventually he tells her to go off to a nunnery. “Or if thou wilt needs marry,/ marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what/ monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go;/ and quickly too. Farewell. (3.1. 139-142). Hamlet does not respect her when she is alive because he takes out his anger towards his mother on her. He believes all women are to be distrusted and he has lost all faith in women, which results in treating Ophelia very

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