The Role of Women in Hamlet

Background Information~Women Actresses in Shakespearean Times: 

The theatre in Shakespeare's day was very different from present day theatre. The greatest difference was that all of the characters, including the female roles, were played by men and boys! In the medieval world it was considered disgraceful for a woman to go on the stage. In the time of William Shakespeare acting was considered to be a man’s profession, and so women’s roles were generally played by men or boys. Boys were often recruited for performances from the choirs of London churches. Many of these boys acted their parts very well and all were accepted by Elizabethan audiences, unlike women who were not given the opportunities to act on stage until the 1600’s. The British prohibition of women actresses was ended in the reign of Charles II who enjoyed watching female actresses on stage.

Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius and the sister of Laertes. She is portrayed as a beautiful and innocent young woman and plays the role of Hamlet’s irresolute love interest. Ophelia is an obedient daughter who is dependent on the men in her life. She looks to her father and brother for guidance while looking to Hamlet for love and affection. Ironically, the she is denied the love that she so desperately seeks from Hamlet and the advice that Polonius and Laertes give her falters throughout the play. When Ophelia recognizes a notable difference in Hamlet’s character she turns to her father for advice and, after being ordered to stay away from Hamlet and his tokens of false affection, reluctantly agrees to spy on Hamlet.

Gertrude:

Gertrude is the Queen of Denmark, the mother of Hamlet, and wife to Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet, but her shallow and weak character flaws lose Hamlet’s respect. Gertrude is a woman who values status and affection more urgently than moral righteousness and respect. Like Ophelia, Gertrude is extremely dependent upon the men in her life. At times it seems that her grace and charm are her only characteristics, and her reliance on men appears to be her sole way of capitalizing on her abilities.

Ophelia and Gertrude are both unappreciated women that are considered frail and weak-minded by the men in their lives. The two women live their lives in the shadows of the male characters while their thoughts and opinions are oppressed by a patriarchal society.

Ophelia embodies the flaw of obedience, but deeper than that, the flaw of dependence. Ophelia is completely dependent on her father, Polonius, and proves her loyalty and dependence when she agrees to stay away from Hamlet and his false sentiments. Ophelia’s actions show that she will do anything to appease her father, even making a personal sacrifice which she doesn’t agree with. Ironically, Ophelia’s dependence upon the men in her life ultimately lead to her tragic suicide. Each male character plays a key role in the cause of her suicidal death. While Laertes physically leaves Ophelia to live abroad, Hamlet abandons her as a lover and is at times ruthless and cold towards the innocent Ophelia. The last straw is the death of her father, Polonius, who is perhaps the most influential man in her life. Polonious’s controlling manner is irreplaceable and finally Ophelia realizes this: “ I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died” (Act V, scene v, pgs. 187-188). The violets symbolize faithfulness and they all died because Ophelia felt betrayed by the men in her life. Ophelia’s death is a direct result of her dependence, which could be seen through her obedience and overall weakness of character.

Gertrude, like Ophelia, depends on her husband for advice and insight to Hamlet’s attitude. Gertrude longing for the attention that she loses when her husband dies, quickly marries Claudius, her husbands brother.

Quotes:

Frailty, thy name is woman!

(Act I, scene ii)

Hamlet is referring to woman in general, but the comment is aimed directly at his own mother, Queen Gertrude. Hamlet, who is still mourning over the loss of his father, is bitter towards his mother. Hamlet is unhappy with the incestuous nature of his mothers wedding to her dead husband's brother, Claudius. Hamlet insults not only his mother but the entire female gender, claiming that frailty and weakness are character flaws of all women.

Get thee to a nunnery!

(Act III, scene i)

Hamlet mocks Ophelia using this quote and commands her to go to a covenant (nunnery) rather than give birth to more sinners. In this scene Hamlet goes on to mock women and society in general for buying into the whole idea of marriage and true love. Hamlet insults Ophelia's father and argues that married men are fools and marriage should not exist. Hamlet accuses Ophelia and all of womankind for being decietful and unfaithful. Hamlet says this quote to Ophelia repeatedly during this scene, adding emphasis to the foolish idealistic nature of marriage.