Sunday, May 8, 2016

How is the literary theory of feminism portrayed in Hamlet? Related quotes if possible.

Feminism is said to give equal rights, both political and social, to women. Unfortunately, in the play Hamlet, the two main female characters are given little voice or equality in comparison to their male counterparts.
Queen Gertrude, Hamlet's mother and new wife to Claudius, is portrayed as weak. Her hasty marriage to her husband's brother a mere two months after the king's death is considered highly inappropriate by Hamlet. In fact, Hamlet even says, "Frailty, thy name is woman!" (Act I, ii, 150) emphasizing his mother's sexual weakness and applying that weakness to all women. Gertrude becomes the focal point of Hamlet's anger and is partially to blame for the rotten state of Denmark.
Ophelia, Hamlet's love interest, is given little voice as well. She becomes a pawn between her brother, Laertes, and her father, Polonius. Laertes warns her: "Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain if with too credent ear you list his [Hamlet's] songs" (Act I, iii, 33-34). Her brother tells her not to let Hamlet court her, for she may lose her honor. However, a double standard exists as Polonius gives Laertes his blessing to venture off and explore the adult world. Polonius also uses Ophelia to spy on Hamlet.
Hamlet also uses Ophelia as a pawn. In an act of madness, he insults her and belittles her: Hamlet speaks to Ophelia in a derogatory manner so she will not become a "breeder of sinners" (Act III, i, 131-132). He also tells her to go to a nunnery. By the end of the play, Ophelia's suicide seems inescapable as she feels betrayed by those she loves.
Therefore, the women in Hamlet are not feminist characters. The men in this play wield the power. Both women are victims of their own weaknesses and men's manipulation.
https://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/download/pdf/Ham.pd

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