Preview

Femininity In Hamlet Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
416 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Femininity In Hamlet Essay
Since the Renaissance, when Shakespeare born and wrote his works, many of the plays and literature styles have gained wide popularity among the readers and influenced many of the readers and the critics. Furthermore, people often say, it is widely believed at this time that role of males stand completely opposite to that of females; however, through the play of Hamlet, Shakespeare portrays a complex representation of human beings including femininity in its protagonist and title character, prince Hamlet. The Women in Literature and Life Assembly states in one of their articles, “Defining masculine and feminine characteristics allowed writers like Shakespeare to draw males with certain ‘feminine’ characteristics and females with certain ‘masculine’ …show more content…
When young Fortinbras was a boy, his father, former king of Norway, gets killed in a battle with King Hamlet, young Hamlet’s father, and loses Norwegian territory which by ended up part of Denmark since King Hamlet won the fight and killed King Fortinbras. Furthermore, young Fortinbras’s uncle, old Norway, takes over the throne instead of giving it to his nephew, young Fortinbras, just as Claudius who also crowns himself when King Hamlet dies. When the play opens, however, the responses of young Fortinbras and young Hamlet depart to completely different directions, which perhaps in masculine and feminine ways. Just as Horatio describes him “of unimproved mettle hot and full” (1.1.97-98), young Fortinbras never really get to know his father, but he blames King Hamlet for the death of King Fortinbras and immediately raises an army called “lawless resolutes” to reclaim Norway’s lost territories. On the other side, Hamlet chooses to stay away from his duties as the only price of Denmark and the successor to the crown. While Fortinbras is training his army and treats Denmark to reclaim their lands and avenge his father, Hamlet has done nothing but complaining about his fate and struggles to kill Claudius even he had a chance to do so. Just from how frightened Hamlet is from his opening phrase of the soliloquy in Nunnery

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Another reason why Hamlet’s criticisms of women are justified is due to the profound resentment he has for his own mother, which is reflected whenever he talks to any woman. Since he had a very close relationship with his father and thought very highly of him, Hamlet feels personally betrayed by his mother when she gets married to Claudius. He feels that Gertrude should be mourning his father’s death as deeply as he himself does, and thinks her decision to marry again was brash. Since he is expected to behave politely at all times due to his station, Hamlet does not feel as though he can express the hurt he feels to anyone, and instead keeps it bottled up inside. He is only able to release this anger when he is approached by another woman,…

    • 205 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Hamlet, one can immediately determine the relationship between men and women. The women tend to be dependent and morally obedient to the…

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout history, a strong male lead has been the popular choice in literature. Oftentimes, the females in written works are seen as weaker characters than their male counterparts. This was especially true in the time of Shakespeare. In Hamlet, both Ophelia and Gertrude, the queen, are written in this way. Although they both could have had a large impact on the plot, Shakespeare chose to write them in as small, impotent characters. This may be because that's how women were often viewed in his time.…

    • 227 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ophelia and Laertes

    • 1184 Words
    • 5 Pages

    William Shakespeare (1564-1616) probably didn't know the impact of his words writing "Hamlet" would affect the history of literature, playwriting and poetry. Written at the peak of his career, it's considered his masterpiece and the most controversial of his works, not only because of its philosophical insights into human nature but for showing the reality of the political system during Elizabethan times and the abuse of power. If Shakespeare portrays these issues through strong male characters and their concerns about life, he on the other hand portrayed women still in the way they were supposed to behave and act. Elizabethan women were submissive, subservient to men and they had no voice other than 'I do' the day they married. Such a paradox, as the chief of state at the time was Elizabeth I, considered almost as a supreme being and who intentionally never got married because that would've made her the consort of the King and therefore she would've lost her authority for issues far more domestic. This submission and the fact that they were also dependant on their men relatives made them the perfect tool to forge alliances with powerful families normally through arranged marriages.…

    • 1184 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Horatio And Hamlet Foils

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Fortimbras’ roll in this play is too small that has only be talked about from other people’s words. However, we can still see the opposite characteristics between Hamlet and Fortinbras. Hamlet is aggressive without control while Fortinbras is aggressive with control. After Hamlet knows the murder of his father which has been committed by his uncle he determined to take revenge almost right away without any doubt. In the contrast, Fortinbra obeys his uncle’s order and swear not to invade Norway any more although he is aggressive and good at…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    act 4 hamlet

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Essentially, Hamlet has reached a turning point in which he diverges from a stagnant state to that of implementation of action. Hamlet becomes growingly apprehensive of the matter at hand (in exacting revenge against his uncle, the King) and decisively opts to take action. Hamlet’s new state of mind is reflected within his dialogue: “What is a man/If his chief good and market of his time/Be but to sleep and feed? Now, whether it be Bestial oblivion or some craven scruple Of Thinking too precisely on th-event--- a thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom and three parts coward – I do not know Why yet I live to say ‘This thing’s to do,’ Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means to do’t.” Hamlet’s view of himself is characterized by that of self-deprecation; he feels that he has been too wary and ineffective in dealing with his plot of vengeance and refuses to further linger in idleness. The opening part of the soliloquy blatantly defines Hamlet’s incentive for revenge: “How all occasions do inform against me/ And spur my dull revenge!” Hamlet notes the manner in which Fortinbras swiftly and hastily undertakes action, which subsequently exhorts him to act in this very manner; Hamlet elucibrates, “Led by this army of such mass and charge/ Led by a delicate and tender Prince… to all that fortune, death and danger dare/ Even for an eggshell”. Essentially, Fortinbras serves as a reflective mirror to his Danish counterpart. In the closing lines of the soliloquy, Hamlet thus revolves to avenge his father’s untimely death at last, as demonstrated through his statement "O from this time forth/My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth." The justification behind his keen blood thirst and malevolent intent toward his uncle is that the preservation of honor (his father’s and his own) is largely at stake. Hamlet is driven by the notion that revenge is exigent and eminent,…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Foils Fortinbras

    • 291 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In Act IV Scene IV, Hamlet’s soliloquy points out every one of Fortinbras’ qualities that Hamlet admires. Fortinbras inspires Hamlet to be a man of action. Hamlet knows that he has been thinking too precisely on the event of killing Claudius. On the other hand, Fortinbras is ambitious and takes actions for what the believes in. For example, in the letter to the King, Young Fortinbras made it clear that he was going to get back the land his father lost. King Fortinbras’ death gave his son determination and motivation to make his father proud.…

    • 291 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Gender Roles In Hamlet

    • 1271 Words
    • 6 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is an intricate literary masterpiece, made up of a conglomeration of different techniques that add dimension, color, and texture to the story. There are countless uses of characterization, dark humor, and many other literary components in Hamlet, all of which are used to give the reader a more emotional and thought provoking reading or listening experience, and insight into the twisted storyline. One of the most interesting of Shakespeare’s techniques is the characterization of each gender as a separate entity. He seems to give the main characters traits that will lead them to follow certain trends for their gender. In Hamlet, Shakespeare characterizes the main male characters as men with power who tend to exercise…

    • 1271 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Study Guide

    • 3411 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Act I Scene 1 : Claudius announced that he is the new king of Denmark when the beloved king Hamlet is dead and also stated that he is now married to Hamlet’s Mother, old Hamlet’s wife. Before Old Hamlet past, his great rival Fortinbras, King of Noway dared him to battle and Old Hamlet killed Old King Fortinbras. Now that Old King Fortinbras is dead, young Fortinbras is now the new king of Norway, he is tough and unproven and he now wants to take over Denmark.…

    • 3411 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In William Shakespeare's tragedy “Macbeth“, Shakespeare explores and challenges the ideas of traditional gender roles, regarding leadership, power and masculinity. These different gender roles are used to shape characters and create fear in the readers He leaves the question of what masculinity truly is open for the audience to decide. In the following essay, I will show some examples where Shakespeare made his own gender roles.…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Fortinbras In Hamlet

    • 279 Words
    • 2 Pages

    After the events in Act III, this soliloquy is a major indication of Hamlet’s current mindset. Hamlet stabs Polonius subsequently killing him and is sent off to England where he will be executed by the demand of King Claudius. Whilst traveling to England, Hamlet observes that Fortinbras and his army are off to conquer the worthless land of Poland. Recognition that his and Fortinbras’ situations are alike encourages Hamlet’s deep respect for this man’s devotion to a cause that would be considered as significant as “an eggshell” (IV.IV). Fortinbras is practically propelling his army into a grave in order to bring back his father’s honor. The zeal that is demonstrated in Fortinbras’ initiative motivates Hamlet to deviate from the path of his…

    • 279 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet Essay - Misogyny

    • 1486 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Misogyny, by definition, is the hatred of women and girls. In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, misogyny affects women in negative ways that both impact how a woman is portrayed along with how these stereotypes and controls influence her actions and ultimately lead to her demise. Gertrude and Ophelia, the only major female characters of this play, are both women who must confront various factors and adverse effects of misogyny. Shakespeare uses the patriarchal system to suggest the effects of men's misogynistic behavior towards women.…

    • 1486 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Hamlet, men allows sexism to take place against women. The play shows sexism through men disrespecting woman by insulting, and shaming them based on their sexuality. Women are insulted and blamed for mistakes more than men are. Ophelia, Polonius’ daughter, and Hamlet’s “lover”, is questioned by Hamlet as to why she is a “breeder of sinners” (3.1.132). Hamlet is telling Ophelia that she makes babies that are full of sins.…

    • 191 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, Prince Hamlet of Denmark, interacts with only two women throughout the entire play. Hamlet is constantly rejected and dismissed by both women in his life. His first negative experience is with Gertrude, his unsympathetic whore of a mother. He attempts to form a relationship with Ophelia, whose weak naive nature demolished any prospect of love. The women in Hamlet’s life drive him into a state of misogyny. He did not innately hate all women, but slowly as he reserved rejection after rejection he snapped. Hamlet’s relationships differed between Gertrude and Ophelia, but both were for the same purpose of Hamlet having someone to love and care about him. With the goal of finding compassion being…

    • 1781 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Objectification is defined as, “a notion central to feminist theory…the seeing and/or treating a person, usually a woman, as an object.”¹ There are several ways to look at the idea of the objectification of women in literature. Shakespeare’s, Hamlet can be a prime example of the objectification of women when viewed through a feminist lens, due to the use of violability, instrumentality, and silencing by the misogynistic patriarchy, towards the women of the noble family.…

    • 650 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays