Feminine Representation in Shakespeare's Hamlet
Abstract: This essay employs Feminist Criticism, New Historicism, and Marxist Criticism, to analyze the portrayal of Queen Gertrude and Ophelia.
Because Shakespeare's Hamlet centers on the internal struggle of the Prince of Denmark, the reader focuses primarily on his words and actions. An often overlooked or under appreciated aspect of the play is the portrayal of the female characters, particularly Queen Gertrude and Ophelia. There are two scenes in particular that provide insight into this topic. In Act I Scene III, Ophelia receives advice from her father, Polonius, and her brother, Laertes. Similarly, Gertrude is confronted and advised by Hamlet in Act III Scene IV. The three most useful and engaging methods of interpreting these scenes include Feminist Criticism, which views literature from the perspective of women; New Historicism, which observes literature in terms of history and culture; and Marxist Criticism, which examines literature within the parameters of social structure and class hierarchy. These schools of criticism provide a unique understanding of the scenes; each one provides a different focus, offering maximum insight from the text.
In both highlighted passages, the theme of feminine representation is explored. In Act I Scene III, both Laertes and Polonius counsel Ophelia on her relationship with Prince Hamlet. They warn her of the implications of her actions and the consequences of even the hint of impropriety. Both men advise her to "keep you in the rear of your affection, out of the shot and danger of desire" (1.3.33-34). For her own reputation and that of her family, she must not become (or stay) involved with the pr...
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Nevo, Ruth. "Acts III and IV: Problems of Text and Staging." Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Rpt. from Tragic Form in Shakespeare. N.p.: Princeton University Press, 1972.
Pennington, Michael. "Ophelia: Madness Her Only Safe Haven." Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. of "Hamlet": A User's Guide. New York: Limelight Editions, 1996.
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There are many topics deeply hidden in the works of William Shakespeare. One of his greatest pieces of works is the story of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Not only are the words of Shakespeare meaningful, but there are also many follow up pieces of literature that contain important interpretations of the events in this play. These works about Hamlet are extremely beneficial to the reader. I have found four of these works and will use them as sources throughout this essay. The first source is “The Case of Hamlet’s Conscience,” by Catherine Belsey, and it focuses on the topic of Hamlet’s revenge in the play. The second source is “’Never Doubt I Love’: Misreading Hamlet,” by Imtiaz Habib, and it explains a lot of information about Hamlet’s “love” for Ophelia. The third source is “Shakespeare’s Hamlet, III.i.56—88,” by Horst Breuer, and it talks in depth about the issue of suicide in Hamlet. The fourth and final source is “Shakespeare’s Hamlet 1.2.35-38,” by Kathryn Walls, and it describes the significance of the role the Ghost plays throughout Hamlet. There are many different confusing parts in Hamlet and the best way to fully understand the play is to understand all of these parts. By understanding every miniscule detail in the play, it creates a different outlook on the play for the reader. In this essay, I will explain these confusing topics, as well as explain why the sources are helpful and what insight they can bring. At the end is this essay, the reader will have a complete understanding and appreciation of the play Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
In the novel, Pedro Páramo, by Juan Rulfo, settings serve the purpose of being much more than merely locations. Various settings are utilized to represent symbols throughout the novel in order for Rulfo to develop the plot of the novel. Comala is a location that clearly acts as a symbol in Rulfo’s writing; however, to truly recognize the symbolism in the novel and to acknowledge the presence of key themes such as those of purgatory, religion, and oppression, it is necessary to analyze less conspicuous settings, particularly, the home of doña Eduviges, the church, and the Media Luna.
Pennington, Michael. "Ophelia: Madness Her Only Safe Haven." Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. of "Hamlet": A User's Guide. New York: Limelight Editions, 1996.
And yet he had a thumb of gold, begad." The Miller is a loud, annoyin...
Shakespeare’s Hamlet, shows strong prejudice against woman especially with such characters of Ophelia and Gertrude. Shakespeare created an interesting character with Gertrude; he created a character that sits in the middle of all the conflict and appears to not partake in much of it. However Gertrude does seem intent in defusing it at every possible chance she receives. Gertrude is a central figure in the play. She appears a great deal but doesn’t say much – implying mystery and creating an interesting uncertainty in the audience. Hamlet spends a lot of time dwelling on her marriage to Claudius and Shakespeare leaves many questions unanswered with Gertrude such as did she have an affair with Claudius behind old hamlets back? Why does she drink the poisoned wine that is intended for her son? Does she know it is poisoned? Gertrude is the mother of Hamlet and although they do not have a typical mother son relationship she does love him. Queen Gertrude is often interpreted by many as an adulterate, incestuous woman. Catherine Belsey states that typical interpretations of Hamlet maintain: ‘Gertrude a slut; and Shakespeare a patriarchal bard’ (Belsey,1997:34). Gertrude’s actions throughout the play could be read to show her to be a very passive character, far from a strong independent woman. This is shown with her obedience to Claudius, three times during the play, Gertrude is told to leave and each times she complies without hesitation. In Act 1, scene 2 Claudius says to Gertrude, ‘Madam, come’ (122). Then again, Act 3, scene 1, Claudius says to her, ‘Sweet Gertrude, leave us .’ (28), she complies with ; ‘I shall obey you’ (37). And finally, in Act 4, scene 1, Claudius say, ‘O Gertrude, come away!’ (28). This obedience that Gertrude ...
Gabriel García Márquez, 1982 Nobel Laureate, is well known for using el realismo magical, magical realism, in his novels and short stories. In García Márquez’s cuento “Un Señor Muy Viejo con Alas Enormes,” García Márquez tactfully conflates fairytale and folklore with el realismo magical. García Márquez couples his mastery of magical realism with satire to construct a comprehensive narrative that unites the supernatural with the mundane. García Márquez’s not only criticizes the Catholic Church and the fickleness of human nature, but he also subliminally relates his themes—suffering is impartial, religion is faulty by practice, and filial piety—through the third-person omniscient narration of “Un Señor Muy Viejo con Alas Enormes.” In addition to García Márquez’s narrative style, the author employs the use of literary devices such as irony, anthropomorphism, and a melancholic tone to condense his narrative into a common plane. García Márquez’s narrative style and techniques combine to create a linear plot that connects holy with homely.
In The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer, the stereotypes and roles in society are reexamined and made new through the characters in the book. Chaucer discusses different stereotypes and separates his characters from the social norm by giving them highly ironic and/or unusual characteristics. Specifically, in the stories of The Wife of Bath and The Miller’s Tale, Chaucer examines stereotypes of women and men and attempts to define their basic wants and needs.
Vest, Rob. “Country Matters and Sins Remembered: Ophelia in Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”. Indiana University Southeast. n.p. 22 July 2002. Web. 28 May 2014.
Today Maloryís collection has become "the basis of most modern tellings of the Arthurian story. " Because it occurs just past the age of chivalry, the 15th century, Maloryís work has the opportunity to evaluate the "elegance and leisure of the antecedents in chivalric literature." (Tara Knapp) It was written in English and consists of eight intertwining tales of King Arthur and his different knights, and is packed with "compassion for human faults and nostalgia for the bygone days of chivalry." (Encarta) Each tale flows from one to the other which allows better understanding for the reader. However some of that understanding is lost because it seems to be a tale told in a series of flashbacks which would allow for Maloryís memory loss at times. Despite this loss, the story has cohesion because of its compilation from many different fragments of different stories.
Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. God is high, supreme. (Women)
Pitt, Angela. "Women in Shakespeare's Tragedies." Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Shakespeare's Women. N.p.: n.p., 1981.
Hamlet's relationship and actions towards Ophelia are not exempt from his dual personalities. In private, he is deeply devoted to her; but in public, he humiliates and belittles her...
...e motivated to change their attitudes, or even to change some aspects of society itself. "The Crocodile Spirit" captures the atmosphere when all South Africans were first allowed to vote, after the Apartheid Era, Mhlophe writes " many...were united in spirit, and carried away on a huge wave of triumph." This is inspirational writing, with the hpoe that others will also grasp the joy when certain things in society are changed, and are motivated to do their part in these changes.
Compared to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Almereyda’s adaptation creates a new reading and highlights various elements more directly through a change in the characterization of Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. The movie advances her position as a woman, making her a commanding and prominent figure throughout. This new reading of Gertrude from the movie reflects the changes in societal views regarding women, due to varying time periods, progressing the position of Gertrude as a woman, and exploiting ideas of incest, misogyny, and
Grimm, Kevin T. “Knightly Love and the Narrative Structure of Malory’s Tale Seven.” Arthurian Interpretations, vol. 3, no. 2, 1989, pp. 76–95. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27868661.