'Frailty thy name is Woman' - Hamlet
Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia and Gertrude in this play is biased, as it is only based on his attitude towards Gertrude. Throughout, 'Hamlet', his feelings range from his cares and love for the women to hate and anger. When his actions are compared with the other male characters it can be seen whether his behaviour is from his antic disposition or a common treatment of women.Although Hamlet is unsure of the ghosts reality he manages to be persuaded against his mother, whereas with Claudius Hamlet is uncertain which leads him to his antic disposition. These attitudes towards Gertrude show his discomfort towards her into wishing, 'she had not borne' him. The ghost tries to convince Hamlet by questioning, 'If thou didst ever love thy dear father'. Gertrude is thought to have led Claudius on with her sexuality allowing him, 'to seduce' her. She is being criticised only for having had lust lead her away. It is apparent that any women who would fall in love would be discarded as a wretch; although this case may be different the same message is being made. The fact that it was 'incestuous' suggests something forbidden and abnormal is taking place but the ghost may only be implying this through his anger at Gertrude. The ghost would r
Ophelia's love letters, which are personal, are read aloud and she has no say in this. When Ophelia's funeral arrives he shed's no tears and instead goes into hyperbole over how much he loved her. The Zeffirelli film version from 1990 featured Ophelia as a young and very child-like girl dressed in a long white dress draped over her body, covering up any flesh and reflecting her pure as white virginity. Her garments are dirtied once she has become insane and her, 'chaste' self reveals its longing to be loved before she dies. Ophelia's sudden madness gives her strength to express her bottled emotions. It seems little to do with her age as Ophelia has also been criticized for her behaviour. She is crying out for her own freedom to develop into something beautiful and the owls wings, seem to be her own desire to fly away. Hamlet's disgust is evident by criticizing Gertrude's relationship with Claudius is described as, 'stewed in corruption, honeying, and making love over the nasty sty. She hands out flowers and, 'pansies' from the earth; metaphorically she is giving away her flower of virginity. Ophelia's reactions to seeing Laertes are as though she had seen a stranger. In the closet scene Polonius hides himself in Gertrude's bedroom, which is followed by his intrusive instructions for her to, 'tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear'. She could be avoiding him now that she does not have to take orders. Throughout the play Hamlet uses Ophelia as a tool in his revenge plan and he is therefore responsible for the outcomes. Gertrude's sexuality is invaded by Hamlet and she accepts this repression by only answering in small sentences. Perhaps she is seen as a cause more problems by Polonius and the King.
Common topics in this essay:
Rebecca Smith,
Ophelia Gertrude,
Claudius Hamlet,
Thompson Gertrude,
Mark Radcliff,
Ophelia Ghost,
Ophelia Polonius,
Polonius King,
Hamlet Ophelia,
Gertrude Throughout,
ophelia gertrude,
towards women,
film version,
seen attempt save,
sexual relationship,
attempt save,
ghost hamlet,
'i obey',
female behaviour,
feelings towards women,
antic disposition,
hamlet ophelia,
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Acceptance Essays
