The role of women in many literary works can create many complexities in the novel. Often times the role of women is not as clear cut as that of man causing a lot of room for interpretation. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this idea is very prevalent. The two women that play key roles in Hamlet are Ophelia, daughter of Polonius, and Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. Gertrude’s husband, King Hamlet died, and then she went on to marry Claudius, Hamlet’s brother. Right from the start of the novel it seems as if Gertrude is a woman with control and power, as she dictates and chooses everything that she wants to do. Throughout the play, Gertrude displays attributes of a woman who is not bossed around and gets what she wants. On the contrary, Ophelia is
…show more content…
From the first time the reader is introduced to Gertrude, we find out that her husband died and she immediately married the king’s brother Claudius. Additionally, she got exactly what she wanted by assisting in the King’s murder and ultimately marrying Claudius. Not only does Gertrude get exactly what she wants straight from the start, but also she talks back to her son Hamlet as if she is an equal. “Good Hamlet cast thy knighted color off, and let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.” (I.II pg. 25) Unlike Ophelia, as seen later in the play, Gertrude speaks to everyone and specifically her son as if she is not only on an equal level but superior. Gertrude feels that her role as a Queen gives her superior power in society, even than that of men. Contradictory to this is the way in which Ophelia speaks to others. Whenever Ophelia is seen having a conversation in the play, she is always being told what and how to do things and is never really doing the speaking. For instance, when Laertes, her brother, tells her to stay away from Hamlet because he believes hamlet’s love isn’t real, Ophelia responds by saying, “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep.” (I. III pg. 41) In saying this Ophelia is simply complying to others wishes and not having any say in her own love life. Overall, Gertrude’s speech with other characters in the play demonstrates the power that she has within …show more content…
Contrary to the first point in Ophelia’s, death that she died in a feminine beautified way, Gertrude died in a much more gruesome and manly fashion. After Hamlet succeeded in his fencing battle against Laertes, Claudius offered Hamlet the poisoned glass of wine that he had poured for him, however Gertrude takes the glass and drinks the poison instead. “King: Gertrude, do not drink. Queen: I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me.” (V.II. Pg. 277) Not only was this a gruesome way for her to die, more importantly just as she controlled the entirety of her life, so too she determined her fate and killed herself. She decided that she had the ability to make her own choices and thus chose to commit suicide rather than let her son die. Hence Queen Gertrude’s death clearly illustrates the power that she had over others and herself her entire
From the first time the reader is introduced to Gertrude, we find out that her husband died and she immediately married the king’s brother Claudius. Additionally, she got exactly what she wanted by assisting in the King’s murder and ultimately marrying Claudius. Not only does Gertrude get exactly what she wants straight from the start, but also she talks back to her son Hamlet as if she is an equal. “Good Hamlet cast thy knighted color off, and let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.” (I.II pg. 25) Unlike Ophelia, as seen later in the play, Gertrude speaks to everyone and specifically her son as if she is not only on an equal level but superior. Gertrude feels that her role as a Queen gives her superior power in society, even than that of men. Contradictory to this is the way in which Ophelia speaks to others. Whenever Ophelia is seen having a conversation in the play, she is always being told what and how to do things and is never really doing the speaking. For instance, when Laertes, her brother, tells her to stay away from Hamlet because he believes hamlet’s love isn’t real, Ophelia responds by saying, “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep.” (I. III pg. 41) In saying this Ophelia is simply complying to others wishes and not having any say in her own love life. Overall, Gertrude’s speech with other characters in the play demonstrates the power that she has within …show more content…
Contrary to the first point in Ophelia’s, death that she died in a feminine beautified way, Gertrude died in a much more gruesome and manly fashion. After Hamlet succeeded in his fencing battle against Laertes, Claudius offered Hamlet the poisoned glass of wine that he had poured for him, however Gertrude takes the glass and drinks the poison instead. “King: Gertrude, do not drink. Queen: I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me.” (V.II. Pg. 277) Not only was this a gruesome way for her to die, more importantly just as she controlled the entirety of her life, so too she determined her fate and killed herself. She decided that she had the ability to make her own choices and thus chose to commit suicide rather than let her son die. Hence Queen Gertrude’s death clearly illustrates the power that she had over others and herself her entire