The Role of Women in Hamlet
For numerous years in the past, women have always played a smaller role in society politically, economically, and socially than men did. This being a norm for everyone living during that time period, everything that people did was reflected by it, including the literature that was written. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he characterized the role of women in the play just as society would have during that time, less valuable and insignificant. The leading ladies in Hamlet, Gertrude and Ophelia, are seen as less valuable than men and insignificant because of their dependence on male authorities, obedience, and are easily manipulated by others throughout the play.
First of all, Gertrude and Ophelia are less significant in the play because of their heavy dependence on male authorities in their lives. For example, when Ophelia was confronted about her father’s death she started to sing, “And will a not come again? / And will a not come again? / No, no, he is dead, / Go to thy death-bed, / He never will come again” (4.v.186-190). Ophelia is coming to terms with her father’s death, which has had a negative impact on her. She does …show more content…
Shakespeare has made a clear understanding that the women of his time could not do anything with out the presence of a dominate male, would always do what their male authority wants, and would not think twice for the intentions others have for them. Regardless of what was written in past about women’s roles in society, as years past, the look upon women has changed drastically. With many changes in the way women are looked upon in society over the years, they are now seen to be just as equal as men are. They carry the same value and significance as they now equally dominate male figures
For numerous years in the past, women have always played a smaller role in society politically, economically, and socially than men did. This being a norm for everyone living during that time period, everything that people did was reflected by it, including the literature that was written. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he characterized the role of women in the play just as society would have during that time, less valuable and insignificant. The leading ladies in Hamlet, Gertrude and Ophelia, are seen as less valuable than men and insignificant because of their dependence on male authorities, obedience, and are easily manipulated by others throughout the play.
First of all, Gertrude and Ophelia are less significant in the play because of their heavy dependence on male authorities in their lives. For example, when Ophelia was confronted about her father’s death she started to sing, “And will a not come again? / And will a not come again? / No, no, he is dead, / Go to thy death-bed, / He never will come again” (4.v.186-190). Ophelia is coming to terms with her father’s death, which has had a negative impact on her. She does …show more content…
Shakespeare has made a clear understanding that the women of his time could not do anything with out the presence of a dominate male, would always do what their male authority wants, and would not think twice for the intentions others have for them. Regardless of what was written in past about women’s roles in society, as years past, the look upon women has changed drastically. With many changes in the way women are looked upon in society over the years, they are now seen to be just as equal as men are. They carry the same value and significance as they now equally dominate male figures