Examples Of Misogyny In Hamlet

Albert Einstein once said, “A woman is always right. But sometimes confused or may be misinformed or rude or stubborn or senseless or unchangeable about her opinions or even downright stupid at times but never wrong…. She is always right.” Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, examines how several characters in the play demonstrate misogyny. Hamlet, the protagonist, displays a negative behaviour towards women through the actions he takes. In the play, Hamlet exhibits disrespectful attitudes towards his mother, Gertrude and lover Ophelia, through dehumanizing his mother, addressing Ophelia as a harlot, and questioning his mother’s sexuality. Hamlet demeans Gertrude because she quickly marries her brother-in-law and in effect engages in an incestuous relationship. …show more content…
Hamlet is comparing his mother to an animal by saying that even animals wait longer to find new mates. Although Gertrude's actions are immoral, it does not justify Hamlet’s anger towards her in belittling her to the point of saying that she is less than human, and even less than an animal. Hamlet’s derogatory comments and loss of overall respect for his mother reveals disgust, and reflects his disposition of mistrust and insensitivity towards women. Hamlet continues his negative attitude towards his mother, in this monologue he emphasizes his intense prejudice against his mother by stating, “O most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” ( ACT SCENE LINE ). This shows that Hamlet believes that a women’s sexuality is the only thing that they can offer to men. In addition, he also believes that because of their sexuality, they are very fragile and deceptive. He resents his mother for her lack of bereavement, and believes his mother to be impassive regarding the death of his