Hamlet Gender Inequality Analysis

Gender inequality in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, is a key discourse which is explored throughout the character of Ophelia. In Elizabethan England, the period of William Shakespeare, women were brought up in a patriarchal society where they were dominated by the authority of men. Women were socially degraded and taught they were inferior to men. Ophelia, is portrayed as weak, submissive and is manipulated continuously by the male figures in her life. Throughout the play, Ophelia is continuously taken advantage of and used as an object by her father Polonius and her love interest Hamlet. In modern day society, women have become more independent and generally have more freedom in regards to social expectations.
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet,
It shows that Ophelia lacks in her own independence of thought and who continually accepts the thoughts of male figures in her life. From the very beginning of the play, Ophelia is compliant to her fathers will. This is represented through Ophelia’s response to her father when she says 'I did repel his letters, and denied his access to me' (Act II, scene I) were Ophelia complies with her father’s orders. Ophelia’s response to her father suggests that Ophelia lacks her own independence and who is under the authority of her father. Ophelia’s actions show how willingly she is able to sacrifice her feelings for Hamlet under the order of her father and that she will give up her happiness in order to please and obey her father. Throughout the play, Ophelia continuously portrays her obedience to her father. In particular, Ophelia decides that she will no longer insist on seeing Hamlet anymore after the request from her father with her response, ‘I shall obey, my lord’ (Act I scene III.) The actions of Ophelia show that Polonius is in control over her as she sacrifices her feelings for Hamlet to satisfy her father.