Hamlet - Role of Woman

Role of Woman
In Shakespeare's Hamlet the women in the play are driving factors for the actions of many other characters. Though they may seem ignorant of all the corruption around them, women are still responsible for the corruption throughout the play. Both Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, and Ophelia, Hamlet's love, affected many of the decisions and actions done by Hamlet and play a passive role in the play’s action, but they are extremely important in exposing the play’s themes – in particular Hamlet’s misogyny. Gertrude and Ophelia are both manipulative characters that entice men around them and ultimately become the motivation for all of the tragic events throughout the play.
Gertrude influenced Hamlet significantly throughout the course of the play. lives in the shadow of two kings. Her first husband – Old Hamlet was murdered and yet “within a month”, she married her brother-in-law, Claudius. Hamlet was very angered by his mother's remarriage. Hamlet even termed the marriage as incest. It would appear that their marriage is procured for convenience rather than love. Gertrude is completely unaware that the man she married is the murderer of her first husband. It would appear that their marriage is procured for convenience rather than love. Gertrude is completely unaware that the man she married is the murderer of her first husband.Hamlet's fury is displayed when he throws his mother on the bed and says, "Frailty, thy name is woman" (Act #. Scene #. Line #). This shows his extent of anger because he makes a generalization that all women are weak. This is said even before the Ghost appears and when the Ghost of Old Hamlet does appear, he confirms this – saying that Claudius “won by lustful sin, the heart of my most seeming virtuous queen”. As a queen, Gertrude is ineffectual and as a mother, she is insensitive and blind to her son’s distress. She asks Hamlet; “why seems it so particular with thee?” to which he replies “seems madam, nay it is, I know not seems”. Gertrude lets her own opinion of Hamlet’s mental state be influenced by Claudius. This displays her inability to think for herself. Gertrude’s passivity in action is what allows her to be dominated and controlled by the men in her life, but she is also somewhat ignorant and oblivious to her surroundings. Through her death, Gertrude highlights the position of women within this tragedy – completely obedient and totally oblivious to the corruption around them.
Ophelia, like Gertrude is a woman who is led and controlled by the men in her life. She is described by her brother Laertes as “a sweet sister and a kind maid”. As Polonius’ daughter, Ophelia is extremely obedient. When he tells her not to speak to Hamlet anymore, she obliges, saying “I shall obey my lord”. Her inexperience and inability to defend herself is evident when Laertes tells her that Hamlet is “subject to his birth” and for that reason alone, she could never be with Hamlet. Ophelia resigns and accepts these harsh ‘truths’ because she is simply too weak to stand up to any man, or challenge their authority. She, like Gertrude, is constantly undermined and controlled by then men of the play. There are recurring tones of misogyny throughout the play and Ophelia’s acquiescence; combined with Hamlet’s maltreatment of her showcases this.Ophelia was very much afraid when she saw Hamlet "with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd, Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ancle" (Act #. Scene #. Line #). She described him as being "loosed out of hell" (Act #. Scene #. Line #). In addition to that he scared her when he left the room with his eyes still fixed on her. She is especially hurt when Hamlet tells her that he no longer loves her and that he is opposed to marriage. He advises her to go to a nunnery and avoid marriage if she can. "If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go: farewell" (Act #. Scene #. Line #). She possesses no strength of character to stand her ground and instead, Ophelia plays a passive and obedient role. Ophelia kills herself because of the men in her life – her father is dead and her love for Hamlet is unrequited. She cannot function without a man and therefore, is driven to insanity. Gertrude’s elegiacal speech on Ophelia’s death highlights the frailty of women and portrays the poignancy of her death. “Sweets for the sweet”, she says, as she places flowers on Ophelia’s coffin.
The women of Shakespeare’s Hamlet are characterised as weak and ineffectual. They submit to their male counterparts and are led by them. Both Ophelia and Gertrude are fiercely obedient, as they are controlled by the men in their lives. These two women in the play were the two dominating figures that were the basis for the play. They play passive roles in the play, but are key to exposing the titular character’s distorted view of a woman.