Ophelia In Hamlet

In Hamlet, by Shakespeare, Ophelia is seen by the men around her as a pawn to play, versus a human being with feelings and opinions. The women in this play are not treated equally to men and are looked down upon. They are seen as being powerless and should follow everything they tell them to do. Males have more freedom in this play, especially when it comes to who, and how many women, they sleep with. Ophelia plays a significant role in the shaping of girlhood, and this is seen throughout the play. (Source 1)

According to In Search of Authority An introductory Guide to Literary Theory, “One way of distinguishing the two spheres is to use the word “sex” to refer to physical differences and the word “gender” to indicate differences that are culturally

“Throughout the play Ophelia has her opinions and statements recast for her by other characters- namely, Laertes, Hamlet, and Polonius- who wish her to behave in a manner they deem appropriate” (Source 4) In result of Hamlet going crazy and his insulting behavior towards Ophelia, it made her spiral into her own madness. “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, farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs marry, / marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what / monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go, and / quickly too. Farewell.” (3.1.136-141) He tells her that all women make husbands into monsters. Hamlet is assuming that all women are unfaithful and that all wives cheat, and this is why he tells her to go to a nunnery. Even her own father doesn’t trust Hamlet and demands that Ophelia does not talk to him. She obeys; this goes to shows how women are not able to make their own decisions, because their fathers make all their choices before they marry, and their husbands make their decisions once they marry. “Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers,/ Not of that dye which their investments show,/ But mere implorators of unholy suits,/ Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds/ The better to beguile. This is for all:/ I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth/ Have you so slander any moment leisure/ As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet./ Look to't, I charge you. Come your ways.” (1.3. 120-135) Since Ophelia is not married to Hamlet, she has to obey what he father tells her to do, in which she responds with, “I shall obey, my lord.” (1.3. 136) We soon find out that she even started to reject all of Hamlet's letters and refused to see him any longer. Ophelia is powerless. She has no control over her relationships, her activities, her voice, and