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Feminist Lens Essay On Hamlet

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Justine Leleng Mrs. Wojciechowicz English 12 March 29, 2023 Viewing Hamlet through a Feminism Lens Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a timeless tale known for its revenge, betrayal, and tragedy. While the play is known for its character, Hamlet, viewing the story through a feminist lens offers us a fresh perspective on the story. Hamlet's actions and behavior throughout the play directly contribute to the tragic demise of his mother Gertrude and his lover Ophelia, showing us the destructive consequences of unresolved emotional trauma and the dangerous effects of toxic masculinity on relationships. Toxic masculinity is a recurring theme in Shakespeare's Hamlet, as male characters often treat women with condescension and control. An example of this masculine …show more content…

The mistreatment of Ophelia doesn’t stop with just her father but …show more content…

A notable moment is when Hamlet confronts his mother Gertrude in her bedroom, saying, "Nay, but to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stewed in corruption, honeying and making love over the nasty sty!" (III, IV, Line 104). Hamlet’s words express his disgust at his Mother’s sexuality and actions after his father's recent death. Typically, when speaking to family, it is expected to be respectful and considerate. However, his feelings of betrayal and his confusion over his mother's marriage to his uncle lead to violent physical and verbal behavior showing how far untreated trauma can affect a person. Hamlet further shows his revulsion at his mother's new marriage when he says, "Frailty, thy name is woman!" (I, II, Line 146). The use of the word "frailty" to describe women perpetuates the stereotype that women are weak and inferior. Hamlet's remark is not only directed at his mother, but it is also an extension of how he views women. As he succumbs to societal expectations of male superiority, his toxic masculinity combined with his traumas becomes more prevalent throughout the play further supporting the normalization of gender norms and frequent abuse of

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Throughout the play is Hamlet quite spiteful toward women. Some would say to a misogynistic extent. He orders Ophelia, for example, to "go to a nunnery" and tells his mother, Gertrude, "frailty, thy name is woman" even though Hamlet is not very strong willed person. He is always split between his decisions and can never make up his mind. Hamlet is not a solid character with a clear path to achieve his goal.

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He is more than willing to obey and respect his mother. Then in the company of Ophelia he denounces his love for her reassuring her he does not love her. Lastly, he comments on women’s inability to remain faithful by comparing a short prologue to their love. Despite these unsavory incidents, Hamlet contains a genuine and caring nature. Shakespeare provides enlightenment on his true nature through his soliloquies and asides because it is only

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Hamlet- Gender Roles Gender is what we refer to as male or female and sex denotes the physiological difference between males and females. Throughout history we have developed a, double standard. It is the concept that prohibits premarital sexual intercourse for women but allows it for men. We see some of these roles in the play Hamlet. Like when Ophelia is prohibited to have any communication or contact with Hamlet .

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Consequently, Hamlet’s view of women being adulterous not only root from his mother; however, they root from his misogynistic tendencies as

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Every modern society since the beginning of time has painted the female as frail and individuals at the mercy of men, unable to reap the same freedoms and aspirations as their male counterparts. The English Renaissance is no different as women were not allowed to play themselves on stage, and more often than not were seen as weak characters in their portrayal. In Shakespeare's “Hamlet”, all the female protagonists all have flaws that eventually leads to them meeting their deaths. The characters of Ophelia and Gertrude are two different women trapped in the same predicament, partly being due to the inefficacy of being taken seriously, and are therefore perceived as feeble women; looking at the persona of Ophelia, she tends to follow the direction

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One early modern definition of masculinity that still holds true to today is an aversion to femininity. Males were de facto forbidden from displaying or internalising any trace of femininity. Hamlet calls this into question by centring around a protagonist that does indeed display femininity. Tony Howard points out that Hamlet himself is aware of his femininity: ‘my weakness and my melancholy,’ (2.2.520). Melancholy meaning femininity, as Howard shows by drawing attention to a contemporary text stating that melancholy ‘turns a man into a woman’ (Howard, 2007, 18).

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His hatred is shown clearly in the interactions between the two people. For example, Hamlet says as he watches his mother with Claudius, “Let me not think on’t; frailty, thy name is woman!” (I.ii 146) Instead of degrading Gertrude only, he makes a statement which implies that all women are flawed. Ophelia, who is another female character from Hamlet, is Hamlet’s lover. When Hamlet is feigning madness, he speaks in a very dismissive attitude toward Ophelia.

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