Hamlet: The Theme of "Women"

MLA Citation

"The Roles of Women in the Elizabethan Era." Single Women in the Renaissance. N.p., 09 Dec. 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2016. <https://kyrajanewilson.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/the-roles-of-women-in-the-elizabethan-era/>.

Dimah, Bdoor and Zaina

Pictures

http://hamletstudyguide.pbworks.com/w/page/16402876/Ophelia

http://www.folger.edu/hamlet

http://www.tenfactsabout.co.uk/0033elizabethi.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Hamlet-Folger-Library-Shakespeare-William/dp/074347712X

http://www.clipartpanda.com/categories/stick-man-thinking

Questions/Ideas to discuss

Do other characters in the play share Hamlet's attitude towards women?

Do you think Ophelia's limited social role (as a powerless young woman) plays any part in why she eventually dies? Explain.

Dimah

Quotes

Bdoor

Hamlet: The Theme of "Women"

Frailty, thy name is woman!

(Act I, scene ii)

Hamlet is referring to woman in general, but the comment is aimed directly at his own mother, Queen Gertrude. Hamlet, who is still mourning over the loss of his father, is bitter towards his mother and the incestuous nature of her wedding to her dead husband's brother, Claudius. Hamlet insults not only his mother but the entire female gender, claiming that frailty and weakness are character flaws of all women.

In conclusion...

Get thee to a nunnery!

(Act III, scene i)

Hamlet mocks Ophelia using this quote and commands her to go to a covenant (nunnery) rather than give birth to more sinners. In this scene Hamlet goes on to mock women and society in general for buying into the whole idea of marriage and true love. Hamlet insults Ophelia's father and argues that married men are fools and marriage should not exist. Hamlet accuses Ophelia and all of womankind for being devious and unfaithful. Hamlet says this quote to Ophelia repeatedly during this scene, adding emphasis to the foolish idealistic nature of marriage.

Zaina

Done by: Dimah,Bdoor and Zaina

Shakespeare illustrates a sympathetic image of Ophelia and Gertrude as they are characterized as weak, obedient and are used as tools of manipulation by the male figures in their life. Their supposed weaknesses plays an important role in the plot of the play.

Bdoor

"I shall obey you; And for your part, Ophelia..." (3.1)

Gertrude

Gertrude is the Queen of Denmark, mother of Hamlet, and wife of Claudius. Even though Gertrude loves Hamlet, her shallow and weak character flaws lead to the loss of respect Hamlet once had for his mother.

Gertrude is a woman who values status and affection more urgently than moral righteousness and respect. Like Ophelia, Gertrude is extremely dependent upon the men in her life. Her grace and charm which appear through many stages of the play are her only characteristics, and her reliance on men appears to be her sole way of profiting from her abilities.

Dimah

"Women in Denmark are expected to obey" (1.3)

Ophelia

Gertrude can be considered an unappreciated woman that is seen as frail and weak-minded by the men in her life. She lives in the shadows of the male characters, such as Hamlet and Claudius, while her thoughts and opinions are oppressed.

Appears to be a submissive character in relation to her father, Polonius, as he gives her “extracts of his wisdom” to stay away from Hamlet’s false sentiments which implies the message that he has no trust in her (in act 1, scene 3)

Gertrude, like Ophelia, depends on her husband for advice and insight to Hamlet’s attitude despite being the one who raised him. Gertrude's longing for a man's attention hence marrying her late husband's brother a few months after he passed. This example reflects upon the role of women and their image in the eyes of patriarchal society members in the Elizabethan era.

Portrayed as a female who lacks freewill as she promised Laertes (her brother) to keep “this good lesson, as watchman to my heart” (1.3) when warned that Hamlet’s choice of wife is based on political expedience

Recognizes a notable difference in Hamlet’s behavior in which she then turns to her father for advice (dependent on the men in her life)

She is abandoned as a lover as Hamlet acts ruthlessly towards her and manipulates with her emotions (accuses all women of dishonesty and faithfulness; beauty corrupts honesty as he condemns women for hiding their faces behind makeup, and commands her to go to a nunnery to keep away from the lies of men)

Zaina

Introduction to the characters

There are only two named female characters in Hamlet:

Ophelia- The daughter of Polonius.

Gertrude- The Queen of Denmark.

In the past...

Zaina

Not until 1660, were women permitted to appear on stage to perform as it was inappropriate and illegal .

The lack of privacy contributed to the prohibition of women being actors.

The roles of women were played by young men dressed in women's clothing.

Fun Fact: This is why in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" the three witches had beards