The Role of Women in Hamlet in William Shakespeares Play...

The Role of Women in Hamlet in William Shakespeares Play Gertrude and Ophelia, the only two women in Hamlet, reflect the general status of women in Elizabethan Times. Women were suppressed by the males in their lives (brothers, fathers, and partners) and were always inferior. Ophelia and Gertrude have little or no power due to restricted legal, social and economic rights that were found in Elizabethan society. The male characters in Hamlet reflect this sexist view point, represented by Hamlet’s judgement that â€Å"frailty, thy name is woman†. This view was not uncommon in Shakespeare’s time and heavily influenced Shakespeare to present women the way he does in Hamlet. In a critical essay, Judith†¦show more content†¦This is emphasized by Laertes’ and Polonius’ concern to protect Ophelia. Ophelia tells her father of Hamlet â€Å"he hath importuned me with love in honourable fashion†. Polonius insists that Hamlet will only use Ophelia for sex which Laertes supports. He describes her virg inity as a ‘chaste treasure’. Ophelia is viewed by her father, brother, and consequently the audience as a virginal naà ¯ve girl. Her innocence is emphasized when Shakespeare makes a link between Ophelia and flowers, a common symbol of sexual purity. When Polonius is killed Ophelia’s madness develops. She starts carrying and spreading flowers; this is the first connection between Ophelia and flowers in the play. A second link is when Gertrude scatters flowers on her grave. Laertes refers to her as ‘rose of May’ and imagines violets growing from her ‘unpolluted flesh’. Flowers traditionally represent new birth and therefore innocence and naivety. Shakespeare puts Ophelia forward as the innocent, naà ¯ve overprotected girl that wouldn’t be uncommon in Elizabethan times due to restricted rights and inferiority compared to men. However, Shakespeare’s portrayal of an innocent Ophelia is not a view shared by everyone. Jacques Lacan[2] described Ophelia as an of Hamlet’s male desire. This view could be based on Hamlet’s teasing of Ophelia in ‘The Mousetrap Scene’. Ophelia. You are keen my lord,Show MoreRelatedWomen s Tragedy : Hamlet And King Lear1185 Words   |  5 PagesDr. Pitchford ENGL 4037 24 November 2015 Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies: Hamlet and King Lear While William Shakespeare’s Tragedies are well known for their violence, tragic heroes, and fatal flaws, the method in which Shakespeare portrays his female characters in a negative light is seldom expressed. The women of Shakespeare’s Tragedies are represented unfavorably, no matter if they are virtuous or evil. â€Å"Shakespeare’s plays are not lacking in women with positive human qualities, and some ofRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare1178 Words   |  5 Pages In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, the protagonist suffers from struggles with major characters, especially with the women in his life. 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