Hamlet: A Misogynist
A woman’s place in life is to be a housewife, raise children, and be meek and considerate to those around her. This, at least, is what men up until the late twentieth century have always believed. The character Hamlet, in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, is no exception to this belief. Because of continuous comments and actions throughout the play, he displays his true opinion of women. Through his attitude towards Gertrude, his treatment of Ophelia, and his general comments about women, he exemplifies his chauvinistic nature.A son should always be respectful of his mother, but Hamlet’s attitude towards Gertrude in regards to her marriage to his uncle Claudius demonstrates his complete indifference to the fifth commandment of biblical allusion “Honour thy father and thy mother” (The New International Bible, Exodus. 20. 12). If he really values his mother, Hamlet would not ridicule her so much about her marriage. He says to Gertrude “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (1.2.146). At first glance, this quote seems just to be calling his mother fragile. If one looks deeper into the meaning though, he will realize that Hamlet is saying that his mother was not strong enough to resist marrying again
A little month; or ere those shoes were old He scorns Gertrude because he is disgusted that she married his uncle, thinks that she married too soon after his father’s death, and believes that she has ruined his chances of love with Ophelia as a result of her immediate and corrupt (incestuous) marriage. amble, and you lisp, and nickname God’s creatures, and make
Some topics in this essay:
Bible Exodus,
II Hamlet,
Polonius Hamlet,
William Shakespeare,
Hamlet Ophelia’s,
Rosencrantz Guildenstern,
Hamlet Misogynist,
looks deeper,
hamlet suggests ophelia,
attitude towards gertrude,
woman’s body,
towards mother,
chauvinistic nature,
women hamlet,
comments women,
hamlet suggests,
towards gertrude,
throughout play,
attitude towards,
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Approximate Word count = 922
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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