Misogyny In Hamlet

Walking down the street and encountering a crazy person, one would wonder how that person is capable of navigating home. How can a mentally unstable person function in society? When a tragedy occurs, people handle it differently. A stereotype about women is that they are emotional to the point of insanity. Society views men as decision makers and action takers. This sexism instilled in society could lead a person to craziness in itself. The constricting idea that each gender has a role in tragedy is troubling. When a father dies, the man takes the responsibility over. Society assumed the daughter is emotionally unstable and in need of assistance. In Hamlet, Ophelia is parallel to Hamlet in the events that occur, showing that death is an equalizer of even the deepest misogyny. Laertes and Polonius control Ophelia’s actions. Laertes says to Ophelia, “Or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open/ To his unmastered importunity./ Fear it Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister” (I.ii.35-37). When faced with the dilemma surrounding the relationship with Hamlet, Laertes instills fear into her. Ophelia accepts this
Ophelia’s insanity overtook her as she committed suicide. The Queen says “Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds,/ As one incapable of her own distress/Or like a creature native and endured/ Unto that element” (IV.vii.202-205). Hamlet has contemplated suicide since the beginning of the play. Ophelia’s character progresses much faster than Hamlet’s. Although they are on different tracks, they are both feeling the same ways about life and death. Ophelia decided there was enough hope in the afterlife to commit suicide. The Queen says “Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay/ To muddy death” (IV.vii.207-208). In Ophelia’s death, she is equal to Polonius, Guildenstern, Rosencratz, Polonius, the Queen, Claudius, and Hamlet. Their journeys are parallel even to the point of