Disparity Between Gender Roles In Hamlet And Jane Eyre

Gender roles have drastically changed from the 15th century to the late 19th century. Shakespeare demonstrates in his play Hamlet, that women had been viewed as lustful simpletons, whereas Bronte displays in her novel Jane Eyre, the Victorian view of women that they were morally superior to men and are capable of independence. These views consequently determined the gender roles of women as they formerly were expected to obey their male counterpart due to their perceived incompetence. For example, Ophelia is belittled by her father, Polonius, and yet obeys his wishes that go against her desires. In contrast, Jane Eyre exemplifies the Victorian Woman as she becomes a governess and teacher to teach children morals and is free to venture on

When Polonius catches Laertas for still being in Denmark, he jests with him by explicitly stating “Aboard, aboard, for shame!” (quote). In contrast, directly after his conversation with Laertas, he insults Ophelia by indirectly comparing her to a “woodcock” (quote) for believing in Hamlet’s vows toward her. Through this metaphor, Shakespeare highlights the belief of the submissive and ignorant nature of woman as Ophelia and doesn’t retaliate and agrees to not converse with Hamlet despite being insulted. In addition, Polonius views Ophelia as more of an asset than a person as he commands her to “[s]et your entreatments at a higher rate” which connotes some sort of sexual exchange (quote), while he views Laertas as a person consisting of assets through his repetition of the word “thy” followed by an attribute such as “thoughts”, “soul” and “palm” (quote). Shakespeare’s deliberate diction demonstrates society’s view of the superiority of man’s aspects and the inferiority of women as nothing more than a commodity. Following from his own advice of “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (quote), Polonius makes the decision to not lend her to Hamlet as he thinks Hamlet’s “heat” for her will go “extinct”. (quote) By contrasting these two interactions, Shakespeare establishes Polonius’s control over Ophelia’s life as he believes her to be

During her childhood, she was in a period of tabula rasa as her parents had died. Her rebellious nature had evoked a response from her aunt to control her by locking her in the “red-room”. Instead of submitting to her, she questions “what”, “how” and “WHY” the injustice and suffering she faces (23). Bronte’s choice of interrogative words demonstrates complex thinking in Jane, demonstrating how women are not submissive and simplistic, but are naturally curious like any other human, and are also capable of defending themselves from injustice without the protection of men. Throughout the narrative, several further attempts to control Jane have failed. St. John had tempted Jane to forcefully marry him through god as his “prayers were heard” (quote). But, she hears Mr. Rochester calling for her as he shouts “Jane! Jane! Jane!” (quote) which breaks God’s spell on her demonstrating how their love is beyond supernatural. Bronte’s usage of the repetition of Jane’s name signifies Rochester climaxing, and Jane’s desire to suddenly leave signifies that it’s her desire. Furthermore, Bronte makes a statement to act on one’s desires which starkly contrasts with Polonius’s advice to Ophelia to not act on her