Gender Roles in Hamlet
The women of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” can easily be portrayed as weak, submissive, and dependent on men during this time period. In the past, women have played a small role in society for many years because of their mistreatment by men. Shakespeare’s perception of women can best be described as objects because they were constantly victimized and presented as inferiors. Shakespeare’s female characters highlight the treatment of women proving that women were seen as objects. One way Shakespeare illustrated how women were treated in the 14th and 15th centuries was by highlighting the lack of power they had. “Frailty, thy name is woman!” This is a well known quote said by none other than the famous Hamlet. The meaning of this quote is that men see women as weak simply because of the fact that they are females. This also summarizes …show more content…
One of the times obedience plays a role is when Gertrude says, “I hope your virtues will bring him to his wonted ways again.” Gertrude says this to Ophelia so she will be obedient to Hamlet like she is supposed to be so he will return to normal. She does this because it is her role to fulfill that society made for her. There have been other instances when obedience was shown within the play of Hamlet. The other instance is when Hamlet tells Ophelia, “Get thee to a nunnery!” Hamlet wants Ophelia to leave and go to monestary and become a nun. He wants her to do this because he does not want her to give births to sinners. Another time obedience was used in the play was Act III Scene IV. Hamlet said, “Come, come, and sit you down, you shall not boudge.” Hamlet said this to his mother and uses his gender to make her comply. He should be treating her with more respect since she is his mother and she also a Queen but since she is a women, none of that
The women of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” can easily be portrayed as weak, submissive, and dependent on men during this time period. In the past, women have played a small role in society for many years because of their mistreatment by men. Shakespeare’s perception of women can best be described as objects because they were constantly victimized and presented as inferiors. Shakespeare’s female characters highlight the treatment of women proving that women were seen as objects. One way Shakespeare illustrated how women were treated in the 14th and 15th centuries was by highlighting the lack of power they had. “Frailty, thy name is woman!” This is a well known quote said by none other than the famous Hamlet. The meaning of this quote is that men see women as weak simply because of the fact that they are females. This also summarizes …show more content…
One of the times obedience plays a role is when Gertrude says, “I hope your virtues will bring him to his wonted ways again.” Gertrude says this to Ophelia so she will be obedient to Hamlet like she is supposed to be so he will return to normal. She does this because it is her role to fulfill that society made for her. There have been other instances when obedience was shown within the play of Hamlet. The other instance is when Hamlet tells Ophelia, “Get thee to a nunnery!” Hamlet wants Ophelia to leave and go to monestary and become a nun. He wants her to do this because he does not want her to give births to sinners. Another time obedience was used in the play was Act III Scene IV. Hamlet said, “Come, come, and sit you down, you shall not boudge.” Hamlet said this to his mother and uses his gender to make her comply. He should be treating her with more respect since she is his mother and she also a Queen but since she is a women, none of that