Hamlet Men Over Women Essay

Men over Women Dominance over Ophelia and Gertrude is prevalent throughout the play, which then goes on to prove that Ophelia and Gertrude are expected to sit and let the men over power them. This explains the gender roles of the play and of that time, which further explains how men were able to dictate over womens actions. In the play, Hamlet’s father has been killed by Claudius, his brother, who then goes on to take the thrown and Gertrude as his wife. Hamlet is furious by these actions and then takes it upon himself to try and kill Claudius, all the while he is dealing with his madness and love for Ophelia. How are gender roles prevalent throughout the story with treatment between men and women? In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses Ophelia and

This is shown through this quote, “Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby” (I.iii.104-105). Polonius calls Ophelia a baby and that he has to teach her how to deal with Hamlet. Meaning she cannot love Hamlet back and live her own life, doing what she wants to do. Polonius his asserting his power over Ophelia and uses it to tell her not to involve herself with Hamlet. The power above Ophelia is demonstrated by Polonius. She is not able to make her own decisions about Hamlet, Polonius is making her decisions for her and is demanding she abides by them. Another example would be this quote as well, “But as you did command, I did repel his letters and denied his access to me.” (II.i.107-109). Ophelia has been commanded by her father to never see Hamlet and ignore the letters he has written her. The word commanded is the main part of the evidence piece because it would be a completely different tone if he had suggested that she never talk to Hamlet again, not commanded. This again shows that not only does Polonius has power over Ophelia and her actions, but Ophelia does see her father as a higher power and obeys what he tells her to do with her love for Hamlet. This connects back to the point made about power over Ophelia where Polonius’ power over Ophelia is seen as something serious and important to follow. However, Power is not only asserted and prevalent through

In this quote, it states, “Ah, mine own lord, what have I seen tonight.” (IV.i.5). She is telling Claudius everything that Hamlet said in their previous conversation, even though Hamlet specifically told her not to. This then shows her loyalty is only to Claudius. She will go to great lengths to obey and abide by Claudius’ rules, even if it means she has to betray her own son. Claudius has power over Gertrude and can tell her to do anything he wants her to do. She is not able to tell him no and stay loyal to her son, since Claudius is king and Hamlet is only a prince. Another example with Gertrude states, “Sweet Gertrude, leave us too. (king)...I shall obey you. (Gertrude)” (III.i.28;38). Although Claudius’ command is in a sweet tone, Gertrude is still expected to do as he says and obey him. Claudius’ role as king allows him to rule over Gertrude due to her only being queen. This then leads to a power imbalance between Claudius and Gertrude, where she has no choice but to obey and abide by his rules and commands. In no world would Gertrude be able to rule over Claudius or tell him what to do. As king, it is his job to rule over the kingdom and his family, Gertrude and Hamlet. This then reciprocates into a power imbalance between all men and women in this play. The men commanding and ruling over the women, where women have