To what extent do you see the women Essay Example for Free

To what extent do you see the women Essay To what extent do you see the women in the play as victims in a mans world? How might the response of a modern audience to Gertrude and Ophellia differ from that of Shakespeares time? Hamlet is a story of revenge, betrayal and confused love, set in the Elizabethan period. Shakespeare often interpreted everyday life into his plays; therefore each one would reflect the society of that time. For many years in the past, women played a small role socially, economically and politically. As a result of this, many works of literature were reflective of this diminutive role of women. They were not thought of as equal to men. They had hardly any rights and were expected to obey men1. The women were simply seen to bear children and also to take care of them. They had no political voice and were very rarely educated. They were often regarded as a possession, the men in the family always firmly in control of their future. However, in contrast to this trend, in Hamlet the women in the play are driving factors for the actions of many other characters. Although it was very much a society dominated by man, womens influence was obvious in many aspects of life. Both Gertrude and Ophelia affected many of the decisions and actions done by Hamlet throughout the play. Hamlet is based in Elsinore. Elsinore, also, does not seem to be a place where women matter very much. The political voice in this world are all men, and where necessary they are prepared to use women, even their own family, in the power political game. The play is mainly based around the thoughts and actions of these men and as there are only two female characters in the play, this could represent how men dont value women and their say through this time period. Gertrude influenced Hamlet significantly throughout the play. Hamlet was very angered by his mothers remarriage to Claudius. It could be suggested that in order to marry Gertrude, Claudius kills his brother, Old Hamlet. Hamlet strives to seek revenge against Claudius for the death of his father. Therefore, Gertrude is the driving factor for the whole set-up of the play. There is no suggestion to say that Gertrude knew about the murder of her late husband yet her hasty marriage to Claudius could reveal how she cant survive alone, as a woman, in a world ruled by males2. She seems to be seeking dominance from another man, and Claudius was the perfect solution for her. Gertrudes speedy marriage makes Hamlet feel that she and all women are untrustworthy: Hamlet-Let me not think ont- Frailty, thy name is woman- (Act 1 Scene 2 Line 148) Here, Hamlet makes the generalisation that all women are weak. He displays very little respect for women in general, never-mind his own mother. Hamlet victimises his mother here as his feelings of anger are thrown directly upon her, the weaker of the species. Hamlet maintains a formal politeness towards his mother as the play progresses, but his asides are bitter and deeply critical: For look how cheerfully my mother looks and my father died withins two hours (Act 3 Scene 2 Line 130) It appears that Gertrude is a frequent victim of Hamlet throughout the play. Not once did Hamlet actually consider his mothers feelings or ask about them. His disgust for female sexuality caused him to lash out at her verbally and sometimes even physically. He didnt realise that Gertrude was trying to be supportive of him as well as her husband, whom conventions said she must also adore. Instead of listening to her opinions, Hamlet used the Queen in order to make himself feel better and also as a means of releasing his anger. It could be implied that Hamlets depiction of his mothers behaviour could simply be necessary to trap Claudius but from Act 3 Scene 2 Line 135, Hamlet also seems to be trying to shame his mother publicly into feeling guilty for her behaviour in remarrying. He says sarcastically: O heavens, die two months ago and not forgotten yet! Clearly, Hamlet has little respect for his mother and although he dismisses her regularly, Gertrude still seems to endure him and do the best she can for him. This reveals how Gertrude, as a woman, is slightly passive. At the start of Act 3 Scene 4, Gertrude starts by trying to maintain her dignity. Eventually, she seems to realise her position as a woman and is soon derailed by Hamlets accusations and quicker tongue. There is something pathetic in the way she moves from the attempt to be regal in: Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended. (Act 3 Scene 4 Line 10) to the simple, desperate and childlike: What shall I do? (Act 3 Scene 4 Line 199) at the end of the scene. Here, she is a victim in the way that she is trapped within her own mind and cannot dominate a mans view. Her opinions matter very little and she soon finds herself being led into Hamlets scheme against the King. Claudius, on the other hand, does seem to have some respect towards Gertrude. Her husband asks of her opinion and she is not afraid to say what she thinks when he asks her. He refers to her as Sweet Gertrude consistently, displaying a great love of her. However, perhaps Claudius sees Gertrude as a trophy for his successes, his win of the kingdom. He may also see her as a possession, as many men of that time did. True, he does treat her respectfully but, again, she is fairly passive in her response to him: I shall obey you. (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 42) reflecting how her actions revolve around a mans view. What the Queen doesnt realise is that she is a victim within the Kings attempt at plotting against her beloved son. In Act 4 Scene 7, there is a clear sense of how Claudius is putting his own survival before his bond with Gertrude. Gertrude is in the middle of an on going conflict between her son and her new husband. She genuinely loves Hamlet and Claudius, but the two men in her life are on a downward spiral and so is she. What she seems to want is something very basic: a happy family. But life as a woman in a mans pride driven world is denying her that. She is a victim in the way that Hamlet continues to harm her emotionally and in the sense that Claudius uses her as a mark of pride. Also, indirectly, she is a victim of the play as a whole. She drinks the poison, which the king set up for Hamlet and sadly dies. Claudius does not prevent her from doing so in order to disguise his guilt. Gertrude is a victim of the tragedy of the play and is eventually over powered by the manly pride driven battle. As said previously, men are prepared to use women, even their own family, in the power political game. The chief example of this is Ophelia. She spends much of the play bewildered about what is happening around her, as she tries to follow what her father, brother and Hamlet tell her to do. Immediately we see how Ophelia is a victim in the manly-dominated world of Elsinore. In Act 1 Scene 3, Laertes seems to be controlling her life for her. She takes his advice constantly and seems very dependent of him. The image in the words: Tis in my memory lockd, And you yourself shall keep the key of it. (Act 1 Scene 3 Line 90-91) gives us the impression that she allows him to control even her thoughts. Ophelia has no privacy in her life and seems to obey her father almost like a dog to its owner. Her passivity is reflected in her total acceptance of male authority: I shall obey, my lord. (Act 1 Scene 3 Line 141) The fact that Ophelia refers to her father as my lord implies that she may feel inferior to him. Possibly because he is her father or even simply because he is a male and regarded upon as the stronger species. Claudius treats Ophelia as a mere tool when he sets her up so that he and Polonius can spy on Hamlet. Polonius also neglects her feelings in this matter and bluntly commands her: Ophelia, walk you here Read on this book (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 49) She even appears a victim of her own father. Ophelia is clearly upset at this point in the play although Polonius and the King ignore this. However, she appears to be more upset for Hamlet rather than herself. This could be because she is so used to suppressing her needs that she doesnt even recognise them anymore.