Misogyny in Hamlet Hamlet was written in a time period were misogyny was extremely common. In Hamlet, by Shakespeare, the treatment of women is accurately depicted throughout the entire play. The most apparent display of misogyny is shown by Hamlet himself, in his treatment of Gertrude, his mother, and Ophelia, his love. However, Polonius and Laertes also show their feelings of women in the way they treat Ophelia in Act III. In the fourteenth and fifteenth century, the time period Hamlet was wrote, women were viewed as weak and incompetent. A woman’s role was to cook, clean, and rear children, while the men provided for the family. Women in this time period also lived a very controlled lifestyle and had little freedom at all. To begin, Hamlet’s
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Polonius, Ophelia’s father, tells her, “In few, Ophelia, do not believe his vows for they are brokers not of that dye which their investments show, but mere implorators of unholy suits, breathing like sanctified and pious bawds.” This statement emphasizes Polonius’ disapproval of Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship. Polonius tells Ophelia this out of concern for her well-being because he is afraid Hamlet is going to take her innocence and break her heart. He does not say this for only her sake though, he also makes it clear that he does not want to be the laughing stock of Denmark. All in all, Polonius wants to look out for his own reputation, as well as protecting his daughter from …show more content…
In Hamlet, Hamlet himself does not believe in marriage and treats women with little to no respect. Then, there is Polonius, who respects women but finds it necessary to be in control over every aspect of their lives. Finally, there is Laertes who resembles modern brothers more closely then Hamlet resembles a lover and son, and more closely then Polonius resembles a modern father. One thing all the men do have in common, is the belief that women are incapable of thinking and reasoning for themselves. In conclusion, women had it hard in the fourteenth and fifteenth century and were not given the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, and to learn from their own
Polonius, Ophelia’s father, tells her, “In few, Ophelia, do not believe his vows for they are brokers not of that dye which their investments show, but mere implorators of unholy suits, breathing like sanctified and pious bawds.” This statement emphasizes Polonius’ disapproval of Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship. Polonius tells Ophelia this out of concern for her well-being because he is afraid Hamlet is going to take her innocence and break her heart. He does not say this for only her sake though, he also makes it clear that he does not want to be the laughing stock of Denmark. All in all, Polonius wants to look out for his own reputation, as well as protecting his daughter from …show more content…
In Hamlet, Hamlet himself does not believe in marriage and treats women with little to no respect. Then, there is Polonius, who respects women but finds it necessary to be in control over every aspect of their lives. Finally, there is Laertes who resembles modern brothers more closely then Hamlet resembles a lover and son, and more closely then Polonius resembles a modern father. One thing all the men do have in common, is the belief that women are incapable of thinking and reasoning for themselves. In conclusion, women had it hard in the fourteenth and fifteenth century and were not given the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, and to learn from their own