Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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Do the males in Hamlet’s society feel that women are inferior to them? It certainly seems that way, but is it possible that the males behave in this manner due to their own self-loathing? Hamlet by Shakespeare is considered to one the most tragic plays ever written. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, has one of the worst mothers. She knowingly marries her husband’s murderer, Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle. In one of the most convoluted plots in literature, Hamlet is on a mission to avenge his father’s murder, punish Gertrude, and rid himself of Ophelia, whom he has driven to madness. In the end, Hamlet’s intense need for revenge is his ultimate downfall. Even though Hamlet seems to be the victim, in some ways, he is actually the villain because of the ways that he treats his mother, Gertrude, and Ophelia. The women meet their fate due to their lack of independence. After a closer examination, there is evidence to show that the women's actions, or lack thereof, are the reasons behind their demise. In particular, three factors come into play in terms of a Feminist standpoint. First, upon closer examination of the text, it becomes apparent that women lack wise decision-making in matters of love. Secondly, women's feeble minds deter them to make shrewd decisions, as they are immature and weak. Finally, a male-dominated society affects the females’ decision making ability because they are being controlled by the men around them. Therefore, an obvious focus for the audience in Shakespeare’s, Hamlet is the prince’s indecisiveness; however, what is more noteworthy is the overt suggestion in this play that females are incapable of reaching wise decisions. Clearly the patriarchal values displayed by the men in their conversations with women in Hamlet, u...

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...eads to tragic events and end her life.
In conclusion, Hamlet needs to be looked through a psychological perspective as this depicts many aspects of how women are shown. Firstly, upon closer examination of the text, it becomes apparent that women lack wise decision-making in matters of love. Secondly, women's feeble mind deters them to make shrewd decisions, as they are immature and weak. Finally, a male-dominated society affects the females’ decision making ability because they are being controlled by the men around them.

Works Cited

Lahey, Michael. "Women and law in Faulkner." Women's Studies 22.4 (1993): 517+. Gender Studies Collection. Web. 21 Dec. 2012.
Davis, A. "Gender Studies." Feminism. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2012. .
Shakespeare, William, and Harold Jenkins. Hamlet. London: Methuen, 1982. Print.

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