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Ophelia's Treatment Of Women In Hamlet

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Misogyny has been a societal issue, which was exceptionally prominent during the Shakspearean era. Particularly, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, may be interpreted in various ways to analyze and dissect the play. Delving into the play from a feminist perspective, sexism is evident. The representation of women in the literature clearly distinguishes the patriarchal society present. Turning its focus onto Ophelia, who falls victim to the denigration received from numerous male leads. The prevalence of the power dynamic between genders portrays society's treatment of women. Consequently, Ophelia's role highlights the distinction between the treatment of women and men in Hamlet.
Turning the focus on the portrayal of Ophelia, she lives …show more content…

Another aspect in which she faces sexism is Hamlet. During Act III, scene I, Ophelia and Hamlet engage in a preplanned interaction in the hopes of ending Hamlet's "madness." Throughout the exchange, Hamlet says, "Get thee to a nunnery." (Act 3, scene 1, lines 131-134). This particular line may be interpreted in several ways. Considering Hamlet's internalized deep-rooted emotions of discontent towards his mother, it is safe to assume the line was spoken with negative connotations. For instance, Hamlet expresses similar opinions toward Gertrude, "Such an act That blurs the grace and blush of modesty" (Act 3 Scene 3 lines 47-48). He criticizes his mothering immodesty for remarrying shortly afterward the King's death. The line depicts her hold internal anger towards his mother. Analyzing the scene in which Hamlet converses with Ophelia, it essentially was done to belittle her, possibly stemming from the betrayal he felt from his mother. Due to the deep patriarchal view, he inputs women, he suggests Ophelia devote herself to morality and purity. In his eyes, refraining from romantic relationships and remaining faithful increases a woman's value. Therefore, through such suggestions and connotations, Hamlet feels Ophelia has not fulfilled the expectations expected of women, which is a recurring theme throughout the rest of the

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It is far too often that women, in even the most modern of literature, are portrayed as nothing more than snivelling cowards, used merely to motivate the inevitably male heroes. Certainly, this is still the case in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which is inarguably a product of its time; sexism runs rampant, as Ophelia, the female lead, is told by Hamlet himself to “Get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.121), with not a batted eye nor consideration of why this would be wrong. In this day and age, such blatant disrespect for women would be greatly frowned upon by a modern and discerning audience, no doubt filled with cultured women who would take offence. Bonham-Carter’s Ophelia is far from the frail and tragically beautiful flower that she is often interpreted as; “ she's like a rag doll losing its stuffings” (Hinson).

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This could also be viewed as a side effect of madness, which creates an emotional turmoil and begins to destroy his relationship. Moreover, there is an ambiguity in “nunnery” as it can mean either a convent or a brothel. Therefore, there is uncertainty whether Hamlet sends Ophelia to preserve her innocence and purity or to continue her alleged promiscuous behavior. In addition, since Hamlet speaks this quote towards a women he used to love, it shows the weakening of his superego, which directs appropriate speech towards those you love. If the superego is not able to ensure behaviour within moral boundaries then there is an imbalance in Hamlet’s self.

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Misogyny, by definition, is the dislike towards women for a particular motive. In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Shakespeare elucidates his misogynistic tendencies through the characters in the play—particularly Hamlet. The role of women in Hamlet is little short of misogynistic as Hamlet consistently displays throughout the play evidence of misogynistic behavior through his views of women being cruel, adulterous, and frail. Fundamentally, there are merely two female characters in Hamlet; Ophelia and Gertrude. Though Ophelia does not intend on wounding Hamlet emotionally, she does so for being submissive to her father which conforms to the misogynistic attitude of women being powerless and pathetic as Ophelia is under control by

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In “Hamlet” William Shakespeare uses the character Ophelia to get to the men around her. She’s portrayed as a weak, trusting woman that tells her father and brother everything. They see her as a virtuous, unsuspecting, loyal daughter. Hamlet sees her differently. He sees her as an object, easily disposable.

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For the duration of the play, Ophelia was portrayed as a naïve and submissive woman. Her passivity and powerlessness reinforce the voicelessness of women during the Elizabethan era. For example, “I shall obey, my lord” (I.iii.134) shows that Ophelia concedes to her father’s will, even though she believes Hamlet’s love is genuine. She is willing and expected to obey her father despite the fact that she still loves Hamlet, which emphasizes her character’s submissive nature. Furthermore, in Act I Laertes warns Ophelia that it would be shameful of her to love Hamlet, and she responds with “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep as a watchman to my heart” (I.iii.45).

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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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Saying this, Hamlet’s behavior towards Ophelia is crude, rough, and full of anger. Despite Hamlet’s harsh treatment towards Ophelia, he really did love her, but because she was not his main focus, the

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This provokes him to say that god gives women one face, but they use make up to paint on another one. This quote suggest that Hamlet sees woman as naive and gullible creatures, as he sees Ophelia as nothing but an object that is owned by her father, as she is helping him with all of his dirty work. Hamlet believes that woman cannot be trusted as they have are deceiving. He also sees Ophelia as a grown women who is unable to make her own decisions. Hamlet is utterly disgusted by how feeble Ophelia is as she was following her father's scheme.

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As a young woman of the 1600’s Ophelia is most likely unaware of the patriarchy that shadows above her. “I do not know my lord, what should I think?”. Ophelia is so unsure about her affair with Hamlet that she

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He resents his mother because she did not hesitate to remarry immediately following the passing of King Hamlet; in Hamlet’s eyes, she cannot live independently because she is a fragile, powerless woman as all women are. Hamlet says, after complaining about Gertrude’s hasty remarriage, “frailty, thy name is woman” (1.2 150). His judgment of his mother’s character led to his generalization of all women being frail and helpless. Hamlet extends this judgment to his evaluation of Ophelia’s character. He believes that because she is female, she must be deceitful and adulterous.

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Women have suffered an extreme misdeed by men throughout the history. Women in Shakespearean times were bounded with their husbands and their fathers, the women weren’t expected to do much rather that just looking pretty and not talking. In the play Hamlet women are mistreated and are shown in Shakespeare novel. There are women that have experienced exploitation in the novel. Hamlet poor mistreatment and misjudgment of Ophelia, her behavior started to change throughout the novel and eventually she ended up killing herself.

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He did not innately hate all women, but slowly as he reserved rejection after rejection he snapped. Hamlet’s relationships differed between Gertrude and Ophelia, but both had the same goal of Hamlet having someone to love and care about him. With the goal of compassion being accomplished, he spiralled in a growing hatred of the female population. Hamlet’s misogyny is not the result sexual repression , but rather his environment and the interactions with women. Ernest Jones argues that Hamlet’s misogyny stems from the sexual repression of Gertrude and Ophelia.

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