Hamlet presents the dramatisation of the helplessness of the "feminine" qualities in the context of a patriarchal society. The two main female characters in Hamlet are Ophelia, Hamlet's lover and daughter of the lord chamberlain, Polonius and Gertrude, Hamlet's mother who is now in an incestuous marriage with Claudius, the present king of Denmark and is the widow of the old king Hamlet.
             Throughout the play, these two female characters are portrayed as weak, vulnerable and powerless. The men in their lives have complete control over them as is shown by the actions in the play, their willingness to do exactly what they're told and to agree to everything that is said to them. They do not appear to have a mind of their own and if they did they would certainly have more control over their lives. They both also commit sins against the rules of the Catholic religion.
             Ophelia is easily persuaded to stop seeing Hamlet. She lacks the strength that would enable her to stand up for her lover or help her endure the murder of her father later on in the play. Ophelia's thoughts and actions show she is completely obedient to her father. Her cruel actions towards Hamlet also demonstrate her obedience to Polonius, as she goes against her feelings for Hamlet. In the beginning Ophelia admits to her father that she likes Hamlet and implies that he is a honorable man :
             'My lord, he hath importun'd me with love
             Ophelia's later actions sacrifice her personal feelings for Hamlet under the command of her father, proving her complete obedience. This shows that Polonius has complete control over his daughter and that she will do anything that he desires to please him. Ophelia also proves her obedience when Polonius, like Laertes suggests, that Hamlet is trifling with her and he instructs her not to see him again and she agrees to obey his command :
             Polonius : 'I would not in plain terms from this time forth
             Have you so slander any m...