Women in Hamlet Essay - 769 Words

Jake Borgschulte 2/17/2013 Mr.Sargent Period C Women in Hamlet The women in Hamlet are portrayed as either trophies, such as Gertrude as Claudius’ trophy for taking the throne, or as scapegoats for the males to scorn when they feel they have been disrespected or wronged. Hamlet attacks both Ophilia and Gertrude throughout the play whenever he becomes enraged over his father’s death. Hamlets madness and insecurity cause him to attack the two people who care for him most. His mentality is that if he is not happy, no one deserves to be happy until his needs are met, and in this case he needs to avenge his father’s death and protect his mothers’ sexuality Hamlets overly obsessive behavior towards his mother’s sexuality is very prevalent†¦show more content†¦Gertrude is probably around the age of thirty five or forty since many women had children young since the life expectancy was much lower than it is today. This life expectancy plays a large role in why Hamlet is so disgusted by his mothe r’s incestuous ways. He sees her as an old woman who shouldn’t want sexual relations at her age, which in reality is untrue of women who are her age. He makes Gertrude feel guilty for having these feelings and that begins her second guessing over her marriage and her husband’s sudden death. This estranged relationship between Hamlet and his mother only worsens his relationship with Ophilia. As the play progresses, she is utterly confused on Hamlets mad ways and does not understand why he is treating her in such a disrespectful manner. This uncharacteristic behavior towards a woman he once loved can be a result of his failing relationship with his mother and the unwillingness to trust anyone close to him since his father’s death. Though Hamlet has seem gone mad, he seems to still love Ophilia and truly care about her. He tells her to join a nunnery because he believes no man, besides himself, is good enough for her, just like he believes no one is good eno ugh for his mother. also, Hamlet would not have been so crushed by her death if he had not loved her and he proclaims his love for Ophilia and believes that not even â€Å"Forty thousand brothers Could not with allShow MoreRelatedHamlet And Ophelia And Women In Shakespeares Hamlet1306 Words   |  6 Pageseyes of God, solidified by the church. Hamlet adored the connection between his mother and late father. However, following his father’s murder, the lack of sympathy from his mother alters his outlook on the institution of marriage. Consequently, this changes how Hamlet views Ophelia and women in general. There once was love between Hamlet and Ophelia, but the union of Claudius and Gertrude shifts the strength of their relationship. Hamlet can no longer trust women or the endurance of marriage, whichRead MoreOppress Women In Hamlet1236 Words   |  5 PagesIn life, women are oppressed and seen as inferior to men. Throughout Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, one can see ho w men oppress women such as Gertrude and Ophelia. One can see how Ophelia is mistreated, how Hamlet thinks less of his mother, how Gertrude uses female roles against Ophelia, and how men look down on women. During the play, Hamlet makes many regards towards Ophelia in a derogatory manner. â€Å"If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plague for thy dowry† (3. 1. 136-137). Hamlet is directlyRead MoreRoles Of Women In Hamlet982 Words   |  4 Pagesevolving roles of women in playwright has constantly been up for debate by directors, writers, audiences, and even the actors who portray these characters. For many years in the past, women played a small role socially, economically, and politically. 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