Women in the past, especially in Elizabethan times, heave played a relatively
             insignificant role in politics, economy, and the overall social scene. In Shakespeare's
             "Hamlet" Ophelia and Gertrude, these lone female characters, are subjected to such
             degrading and underestimation of women. Their actions are questionable by times, the
             reason perhaps, being related to their position in society. Despite where they stand among
             a male dominated world they are, however, significantly influential throughout the play .
             This essay will discuss the position of women in Elizabethan times, the actions of
             Gertrude and Ophelia, and the reasoning behind their behavior.
             One major difference between Elizabethan males and females was that Elizabethan women and girls were forbidden form entering public schools along side the boys. They were, however, allowed to hire personal tutors, so not all women were uneducated. Furthermore only men were able to seek university education for Queen Elizabeth had banned women from university campuses as well; saying women were a distraction to men . Regardless of social position, women were not permitted to enter professions in the medical, law, political or army fields. Most women were employed as cooks, maids and other domestic occupations, which were considered just as important as "men's jobs . Women , on average, gave birth every two years and so consequently, larger families were produced. Because of this, women usually became housewives, but not to worry they were still greatly respected by the men of the household. Having many children was a high honor in such a society .
             Gertrude I feel, was taken advantage of most significantly in this play. After the death of her husband she abruptly remarried within a month. Could it be that she was afraid to go husbandless for the pressure of ruling a country alone would be too much for her? The rule of women w...