Hamlet, a play written by William Shakespeare, was written during a time where all literature was written from a male point of view. This means that all woman characters were also depicted from the male point of view. This piece of literature is no exception. In order to view the text from an honest point of view, one must first understand what feminist criticism is and how it is used in literature. Feminist criticism plays a major role in this play. Specifically, in Hamlet, the reader can understand how Ophelia is exploited or used politically, emotionally, and physically by the male characters in the play.
Feminist criticism is the term used to describe the way women are discriminated against because of their gender. Feminist criticism is not an act of rudeness but a lens that one has learned to look through their entire lives. If one is brought up to look through this lens, although it may not be on purpose, they will always treat women as less than equals because it is in their subconscious. One example of resistance to this idea is, "One can argue, for instance, that western society has actually been structured to protect women from brutalities of war, allowing them to be nurturers, mothers, and housewives". By this, the author means that women are sheltered much more than men are. This is very evident through the play "Hamlet".
Ophelia has many key relationships with males throughout this play. One of these relationships is with her father, Polonius. In this play, Ophelia does everything that her father tells her to. He is her lord and she is to obey him. The main discussion they have is over her relationship with Hamlet. On example of Polonius' dominance over Ophelia is in act 1, scene 4. Polonius says, "This is for all: I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, have you so slander any moment leisure, as to give words or talk with the lord hamlet. Look to't, I charge you. Come your ways.
Ophelia In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the character of Ophelia is portrayed as an easily controlled, dependent, and weak individual. ... This, again, is tied with Ophelia's tendency to be controlled. ... Finally, Ophelia is a very weak and almost pathetic human being. ... It seems to me that Ophelia is angry with her father for dying. ... Ophelia's part in the play is an important one. ...
Ophelia is influenced and controlled by those around her. ... In this scene Ophelia takes her brother's advice without an argument. ... "Ophelia's madness is even more serious. ... This is when the reader can see Ophelia digress into her madness. ... Soon after her father's death Ophelia goes mad. ...
The only three people Ophelia cares about, Polonius, Laertes, and Hamlet, do not care about Ophelia enough to do what is right for her. Ophelia's father, Polonius, is an extremely unintelligent and self-centered man. ... In addition to Polonius, Ophelia's brother, Laertes, does not look out for Ophelia either. ... The only man that Ophelia loves, Hamlet, is the prince of Denmark. ... Ophelia is helpless in her own life. ...
The only three people Ophelia cares about, Polonius, Laertes, and Hamlet, do not care about Ophelia enough to do what is right for her. Ophelia's father, Polonius, is an extremely unintelligent and self-centered man. ... In addition to Polonius, Ophelia's brother, Laertes, does not look out for Ophelia either. ... The only man that Ophelia loves, Hamlet, is the prince of Denmark. ... Ophelia is helpless in her own life. ...
He mentions flowers and herbs to indirectly refer to Ophelia. ... Ophelia gives fennel, which represent flattery, to the King. ... Ophelia also gives Gertrude a daisy. ... Shakespeare uses flowers to refer to Ophelia. Flowers represent Ophelia's innocence and beauty. ...
In William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the title character's love for Ophelia comes into question. ... In this essay I will demonstrate that Hamlet's feelings for Ophelia are true and he loves her. Throughout the play there are key passages and actions that demonstrate Hamlet's affinity for Ophelia. Hamlet being discreet and personal time and time again reassures Ophelia of his love for her. ... This might imply that Ophelia is pregnant with Hamlet's child. ...
Now, Ophelia is broken hearted and later learning that her father was murdered by the one she loves, was just enough to steer Ophelia into complete insanity. ... So he decided to test Ophelia's loyalty. ... At this point Hamlet knows Ophelia is lying. ... First he would use Ophelia to cure Hamlet's madness. ... This rejection puts Ophelia on the verge of insanity. ...
His random acts and wild manner towards Ophelia leave readers to question the validity of his love for Ophelia. ... However, upon Ophelia's death, Hamlet realizes that his feelings towards Ophelia never changed and that he had always loved her. ... Ophelia serves as the vehicle for Hamlet's insanity. ... Ophelia's death reminds Hamlet of how much he loves her. ... When Hamlet realizes that it is Ophelia they are burying, he refers to her as fair Ophelia. ...
In this phrase it becomes obvious that Ophelia is completely controlled by her father. ... Shakespeare proves that Ophelia genuinely loves Polonious through the simple fact that Ophelia is constantly confiding in him for advice. ... Ophelia creates an immense contribution to the meaning of obedience behind the play. ... Ophelia's heart has convinced her otherwise. It is obvious that Ophelia loves Hamlet, but another question is raised; Does Hamlet love Ophelia? ...
