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Women in a patriarchal society
Use of power and social class in hamlet
Use of power and social class in hamlet
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Recommended: Women in a patriarchal society
The norm today in western culture is mostly comprised of patriarchal figures rather than matriarchal. The bias based around women and the higher authority of men is most entirely related to the feminist theory. When thinking about the feminist theory, the main issues that are recognized are the imbalances in power between the two sexes and how misogyny can be represented through literature. From William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, misogyny is featured multiple times throughout William Shakespeare’s creation of characters. Misogyny is revealed through Hamlet Jr, Polonius and Gertrude.
Shakespeare uses Hamlet’s character to display misogyny and patriarchal views throughout the play multiple times. Hamlet first shows disrespect towards women during his soliloquy. After Hamlet is questioned on his views towards the new idea of his father’s death and his true feelings towards this situation, Hamlet states “Why, she would hang on him/ As if increase of appetite had grown/ By what it fed on, and yet within a month-/ Let me not think on’t; frailty, thy name is woman!” (I, ii, 143-146). Here, Hamlet shows his lack of respect towards woman due to the fact that it has been ruined by his mother’s ill-advised remarriage to her dead husband’s brother. In Hamlet’s soliloquy Hamlet states the fact that his mother is weak within her recent decisions and that she cannot be forgiven for being as frail and vulnerable as every other woman. In this soliloquy it is obvious to the reader that Shakespeare has made Hamlet’s character condescending and hateful towards anything related to women’s rights. Hamlet proceeds to display sexist views while he speaks to Ophelia saying that “God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another. You jig, you amble,...
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...ontinues on with the plan to reveal Hamlet’s madness. Thirdly, Polonius’ character proves to show antifeminist characteristics when he condescendingly warns Ophelia of her relationship with Hamlet and her naïveté towards him. Polonius says to Ophelia “From this time/ Be something scanter of your maiden presence. / Set your entreatments at a higher rate/ Than a command to parle. / For Lord Hamlet, / believe so much in him that he is young, / and with a larger tether may he walk/ Than may be given you.” (I, iii, 121-127). Within this passage towards Ophelia, Polonius speaks to Ophelia as if she is unable to think for her own self. This proves to show that Shakespeare has made Ophelia appear to be a naïve character due to the fact that she is a young woman, compared to Laertes whom is allowed to do as he wishes without fault.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet
Hamlet is one of the most controversial characters from all of the Shakespeare’s play. His character is strong and complicated, but his jealousy is what conduces him to hate women. He sees them as weak, frail, and untrustworthy. He treats Ophelia, the women he loves, unfair and with cruelty. Similarly, he blames his mother for marrying her dead husband’s brother, who is now the King of Denmark. Hamlet’s treatment for women stems from his mother’s impulsive marriage to his uncle who he hates and Ophelia choosing her father’s advice over him.
Ophelia is portrayed as a sensitive, fragile woman. Easily overpowered and controlled by her brother and father, Ophelia is destined to be weak. Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, warns and pushes Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet and is further supported by their father Polonius. “Polonius enters and adds his warning to those of Laertes. He orders Ophelia not to spend time with Hamlet or even talk to him. Ophelia promises to obey” (“Hamlet” 95). Ophelia’s obedience to her father’s directions prove the side she
Both Polonius and Ophelia try, unsuccessfully, to manipulate Hamlet into a place of inferiority. In the first scene of Act II, Polonius and Ophelia discuss the meaning of Hamlet's odd behavior. Though the two characters agree his actions arise out of the torment of spurned love, they arrive at that point through very different means. At the beginning of the dialogue, Ophelia says that she has been "affrighted" by Hamlet in her bed chamber. (II,i 75)
Grief and vengeance are irrational. The emotion is so strong at times it can alter a person to a mass degree. In Hamlet, Hamlet experiences firsthand the detrimental effects of what grief and vengeance can do to a person. The grief and vengeance that Hamlet feels, alongside his great intellect, allows him to treat Ophelia and Gertrude with inexcusable behavior. This leaves many to believe that Hamlet hates women, when that is not the case.
During Hamlet, Polonius and Laertes use Ophelia for their own self-gain not taking her feelings in consideration. In the article “Jephthah's Daughter's Daughter: Ophelia,” Cameron Hunt reveals that Polonius disregards Ophelia’s wants for his ...
One way that feminism is shown is through how the characters think that the men in the book act like women. Since the beginning of the book the author subtlety hint that the way Hamlet acts loses his respect because of the way he acts. Such as when the king states” ‘Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, to give these mourning duties to your father.... but to persever in obstinate condolement is a course of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief. It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, a heart unfortified, a mind impatient, an understanding simple and unschooled” (1.2.90-92; 96-101). For this reason just because he shows his emotions he gets called a girl. Meanwhile hamlet soon starts making horrible comments about how he acts.
In Elizabethan times, Ophelia is restricted as a woman. She is obedient to the commands of the men in her life although she often attempts to do the right thing. Polonius, Laertes, and Hamlet all have a grasp on Ophelia and who she is. She does not have the freedom to change her fate as Hamlet does. Shawna Maki states, “Ophelia’s life is determined by the whims of men who control her” (1). Polonius takes advantage of his relationship with Ophelia by using her to achieve a better relationship with Claudius. Polonius and Laertes teach Ophelia how to behave, therefore, abusing their power in allowing Ophelia to become who she wants to be (Brown 2).
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 ...
Ever since Eve was fashioned from Adam’s rib, men have viewed women as objects that they use and abuse like an extension themselves. This idea exists because over time men have become to see themselves as superior beings. This idea has been reinforced by years of culture and tradition; it can be found in the media, the workplace and has even made its way into literature through the mind of William Shakespeare. In his play Hamlet, he explores themes of sexuality and how men view women. One of the ways he does is through the character, Hamlet, who has the idea that men are superior to women. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare the main character Hamlet, displays characteristics that proves that he is misogynist. These
Since Hamlet is notoriously the worst to the female sex, we will start with the assault on his character. Hamlet said "Frailty, thy name is woman,“ thus Hamlet believes his men are the epitome of stability and strength, right? Not really, but Hamlet's attitude toward women is definitely sexist and biased, and his hate seems to emanate from his revulsion at his mother's marriage to Claudius, which he considers “unfaithfulness” to his dead father. His attitude is totally unjustified.
The play centered around Hamlet and him wanting to avenge his father’s death. In a way he let go of everything and lost trust of the people that he surrounded himself with. He was socially aware of the things happening around him, but he only seemed to see what he wanted to se. He wasn’t aware of Ophelia’s conflicts she was going through because of him. His plan on vengeance only backfired when he didn’t kill his father’s murderer and instead other characters and himself ended up lying. Ophelia’s struggle, pain, and misery made up her madness that caused her to put an end to her life. If only Ophelia had been a different kind of person with a stronger attitude then she could’ve spared her life. Polonius is an example of how lies and deceit can be wicked and cause harm. Polonius, Ophelia’s father somewhat tried to protect his daughter by telling her to stay away from Hamlet but with an ulterior motive. Polonius was interested in what Hamlet was behind, but while doing that he hurt his
William Shakespeare incorporates many themes and ideas into his play, Hamlet. Of the multiple important ideas, one potentially overlooked is the role of women. Only two of the characters in the play are female. Their lines are scarce, but hold huge importance in relation to the progression and plot of the play. Ophelia, the implied lover of Prince Hamlet, and Queen Gertrude, his mother, do not appear significant, but their actions and characters allow for other events to unfold. Gertrude and Ophelia are manipulated and belittled. In their weak will, they end up betraying Hamlet. Observing their manipulation by other people, Hamlet is able to justify and go through with his actions.
He is essentially telling Ophelia how she should be behaving and reacting to her own situations. This is portraying her as a woman who cannot think for herself and is dependant on Polonius. In addition, Polonius’ death is the trigger to Ophelia’s insanity, because she depended upon him a great deal. When Ophelia is told by Polonius to never contact Hamlet again, she obeys Polonius, but Hamlet acts crazy in reaction to her denial. Ophelia says, “No, my good lord; but, as you did command, / I did repel his letters and denied / His actions to me.” (2.1.109-111) By doing everything Polonius tell her to do, she makes matters for herself worse. Ophelia cannot stand up for her...
Most of the worlds cultures follow a patriarchal society and this dates back to the beginning of time. In Hamlet the patriarchal society is clearly depicted by the characters throughout the play. Hamlet is portrayed as an indecisive character when it comes to making a serious decision, for example when he contemplates on killing Claudius. This shows the masculinity and femininity aspect of his character, which offends the ideals in a patriarchal society. Claudius, Polonius, Laertes, Ophelia and Gertrude follow the usual gender roles in a patriarchal society, as for Hamlet, his characteristics come from both gender roles.
Hamlet is solely focusing on Ophelia sexual organs, “‘nothing’ is what lies between maids’ legs” (222). Ophelia seems not to be offended by this language in the least bit, and her actions cannot accurately portray how the women of that time perceived it. In some senses Hamlet may be a misogynist character and Shakespeare gives readers a reason for it in which it might be excused. It might seem as if his mother’s sexuality has poisoned his own, and he declares in his soliloquy, “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (1.2.146). He views her sexual independence as a weakness and is appalled by her choice to remarry so soon after her husband’s death.