Patriarchy In Hamlet

The treatment of women in both “A Doll’s House” and “Hamlet” by the male characters can show subtle and more obvious ways in which the contextual attitudes and the impact of the patriarchy are relayed. For example, the childlike way in which Torvald treats Nora, calling her his “little skylark” and a “bustling squirrel” reinforces the idea of her husband taking on a fatherly position in their marriage to ‘guard’ her. Linking back to the previous paragraph, where Nora discusses the likeness between her own father and her husband, it could be argued that this attitude is continuously strengthened throughout the play, especially by Torvald. It can also be seen that Torvald is overbearing and protective of Nora, as shown by when she talks to Mrs …show more content…
This line goes on to say “But I often talk about such things with Doctor Rank, because he likes hearing about them.” Contrasting to Torvalds childlike treatment, is the way Dr Rank treats Nora, like an adult. He has conversations with her about her friendships, something Torvald cannot do, as he is clouded by his position of control. Male attitudes also differ in “Hamlet”, with Claudius taking on a fairly modern stance and treating Gertrude seemingly equally, and Hamlet embodying traditional values and being disgusted at his mother remarrying. In the article “Female Norms and the Patriarchal Power Structure in Shakespeare's Hamlet”, Gertrude’s independence is noted as “bringing her new husband to greatness but is also ultimately the cause of his downfall”. Claudius has relied on Gertrude for defying her own blood (Hamlet) yet he does not take into account that he would defy her, thus “causing his downfall”. Hamlet, on the other hand, is incredibly appalled by Gertrude and Claudius’ marriage. He comments on them lying in a bed “stew’d in corruption, honeying and making love”, accusing her of knowing about the murder of his