Aruwajoye

Nimike Aruwajoye
April 26th, 2017
5th Period
Literary Analysis (Major Essay #5)

Feminist Critical Analysis on Hamlet

Because youre a female, and this is a man's world, is a common thought that has been

adopted and accepted by the minds of many individuals that has resided within our society from

even before the 19th century. In the play Hamlet, by world renowned author and playwright

Shakespeare, we the audience are introduced to into a new realm of what was entailed in the life

of the royal family. The drama is shaped around the death of Denmark's ruler, King Hamlet, and

his son, Prince Hamlet, who plans to follow through with the task provided by his father's ghost

and avenging the person who took his father's life. As the truth begins unveil we find out that the

murderer behind the killing is actually the late kings brother, Claudius, who was jealous of the

power, possessions, and lifestyle that King Hamlet had possessed. Claudius even goes as far as

marrying the widowed Queen Gertrude, and proudly takes on the duty as the new king of

Denmark. Following along on Hamlet's journey fueled by betrayal, hatred and revenge, we often

times get blinded by the thought that the plot was only formulated around one mans jealousy

and another man's vengeance, when in reality a major contribution to the plot is developed

through the limited inclusion of women and how they were portrayed throughout the play. The

drama clearly shows how the representation of women allows the play to be interpreted as a

work against women's equality. Through the dissection and evaluation of Shakespeare's play,

Hamlet, the feminist criticism theory leaves a great influence on the reader's interpretation of the

story through a feminist standpoint.

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The feminist criticism theory allows for the analyzation of a piece of literature from a

feminist perspective (Kate OConner). It mainly seeks to bring attention to the oppression of

women and challenge the stereotypical gender allegations that typically arise in works of

literature. When the play first became available to the public in the 1600s, the society was

highly dominated by male figures to such an extent that even acting was considered to be a

mans profession only. The thought of women even going on stage to perform was considered

disgraceful to the point that male actors had to play the women's roles (Sfectu, The Art of

Movie). Taking into consideration the logical perception of women during this time goes to

show how the creation and the portrayal of the female characters throughout Hamlet were

impacted by influential factors such as the time period which shapes a person's attitude towards

controversial subjects such as gender equality and feminism.

The difference in terms of identity and relationship between men and women are more

complex and distinct than what meets the eye. The portrayal of women in Hamlet not only

contributes to the negative stereotypical perceptions of women but also serves a realistic

reflection of what women were perceived as during the time of this play and even often times

today. The minor significance and appearance of women in this play leave a major impact on the

story and how it is interpreted as a whole. The only two females that are ever introduced are

Ophelia and Gertrude who are both portrayed as characters who are expected to limit themselves

unless they are enhancing the male figures or contributing to the overall moral/plot of the story.

Lee Edwards, who is also a critic, even agreed and said that we can imagine Hamlet's Story

without Ophelia, but Ophelia literally has no story without Hamlet. (Showalter, Ophelia,

Gender and Madness). Shakespeare's intention within the drama is for women to be seen as

inferior, unstable of making their own decisions, manipulative and weak.

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Due to the frail appearance that females embody within this play, its easy to conclude

whose hands the dominating force lies withinthe mens. We are able to see that the men wear

the pants in the scenario presented because of the way that they control and depict what both

Ophelia and Gertrude do. By Shakespeare making the female characters so dependent upon the

male figures, it practically gives men the open opportunity to make all the decisions and women

in return having to obey accordingly as they are told. Let's take Ophelia for instance, in scene 3

of act 1 both her brother, Laertes, and father, Polonius, instruct her to stop seeing Hamlet. From

this time Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence...in plain terms, from this time forth,

Have you so slander any moment leisure, As to give words or talk with Lord Hamlet. Look to't, I

charge you. Come your ways. (1.3.115-135), to which she replies, I shall obey, my lord.

(1.3.136), and actually, does abide by. Seeing how quick Ophelia was to follow her father's rule

about her personal relationship goes to show that as long as she resides underneath his roof he

has full dictatorship and authority over her and her personal life. Which only leads to the

lingering thought that even when she marries, her husband will resume the role of controlling of

how she is to act and what it is she shall do.

Gertrude also exemplifies the act of being obedient towards the male figures when

Claudius commands her to leave him and Polonius be as they got ready to spy on Hamlets

encounter with Ophelia. Sweet Gertrude, leave us too, For we have closely sent for Hamlet

hither, That he, as 'twere by accident, may here Affront Ophelia. (3.1.30-34), and to no surprise,

Gertrude responds back immediately saying I shall obey you (3.1.39). Her quick robotic

response to agreeing to what Claudius asks of her only goes to prove that her ability to make her

own decisions isn't even an option at this point. Considering the reason the two men were spying

on him was to confirm his insanity, you would think that his mother, who was deeply affected by
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the situation, would demand and insist on staying and watching, but due male superiority

exemplified in this play, she couldn't even fathom the thought of going up against Claudius

orders even for her son.

In act 1 scene 2 line 146, Hamlet exclaims Frailty, thy name is woman! in which he

is making reference to his mother. Gertrude exemplifies the stereotype of women being weak-

minded and incapable when not too long after her first husband's death she immediately jumps

into another marriage with her late husband's brother. Through her instant union with Claudius,

she gives off the impression of being that afraid to be alone as well as lacking the strength

needed to rule her people. ...Taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred Your better wisdoms,

which have freely gone With this affair along. For all, our thanks... (1.2.14-16). Ophelia's

weakness is displayed soon after the death of her father. Because of the fact that her character

was always seen as someone who was uncertain of their independence, leading her to be too

weak when it comes to certain situations. Like when Hamlet teases and taunts her and mocks

their relationship, she gives no impression to make him stop. The death of her own father also is

an instance in which her weakness is represented. She goes crazy after her father has been

pronounced dead due to the fact that he was the dominating force in her life in terms of how she

was to act and present herself, and know that that guidance would be no more, she herself gave

up on life and concluded that she was capable of doing so on her own.

All throughout the entire play, we see as the two female characters, Ophelia and

Gertrude, both are placed in many circumstances where they are portrayed as typical women

who are restricted by the stereotypical boundaries set by society. The examination of Hamlet

through a Feminist lens is successfully shown as Shakespeare makes dual notice of emphasizing

the dominance of men in contrast to the submissive nature and weak persona that the women
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embody. Considering how women are illustrated within this play, the implementation of the

patriarchal roles are most definitely fulfilled. Its hard to even consider how the plot wouldve

been conceived if the depiction of women were seen in a different light.

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Bibliography

Brizee, Allen, et al. Feminist Criticism (1960s-present). The Purdue Owl. Purdue U Writing

Lab, 21 Apr. 2010. <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/11/>. Accessed 22

Apr. 2017.

Shakespeare, Williams, and Cyrus Hoy. Hamlet. New York.W.W. Norton, 1996. Print.

Showalter, Elaine. Ophelia, Gender and Madness. The British Library Board.

<https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/ophelia-gender-and-madness>. Accessed 21 Apr.

2017.

Oconnor, Kate. Feminist Approaches to Literature. Creative Commons.

<http://writersinspire.org/content/feminist-approaches-literature>. Accessed on 26 Apr.

2017.

Sfectfu, Nicolae. The Art of Movies. LULU Press, 2011. Print.

McManus, Clare. Shakespeare and Gender: The Womans Part. The British Library Board.

<https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/shakespeare-and-gender-the-womans-part>.

Accessed 23 Apr, 2017.