Introduction
The theme of feminism is ideally a major point of reference in which the book Hamlet by Shakespeare. In the play, Hamlet, William Shakespeare presents the basic view of women that displays them as reliant to their men and weak. The presentation of women in the play by Shakespeare to be subject to men is a common analogy that has since been evident throughout many generations that then followed. Although modern society has since taken the stand in the empowerment of women, and the essence of equality between both genders, the theme of gender and feminism is very common in the play all through. In the entire play, Gertrude and Ophelia, who are the female characters, are presented to be entirely on the male gender for their general survival (Samuelsson, Mathilda, 5). The essay will, therefore, develop the theme of gender as presented in the play and the various criticism of feminism, as displayed in the play by William Shakespeare. The major discussion will be on how male characters treat women, the ideas about women in the play, and lastly, look at how Hamlet talks about sexuality in the play.
Gertrude and Ophelia
Through the female characters of Gertrude and Ophelia, it is very evident to see how male characters treat women. In the entire play, we can see how these women are heavily dependent on their counterparts, and this clearly shows how they are treated. Both Gertrude and Ophelia are senselessly loyal and obedient to their male characters. Ophelia is presented to be beautiful and young and essentially the love interest of Hamlet. She is very loyal to Polonius, her father, and seems to have little experience when it comes to deciding on her own (Sarkar, Sajal, 65) Gertrude, on the other hand, was once the wife of Hamlet and now is married to Claudius, the King and Hamlet’s brother. Gertrude seemingly desires status and affection more than affection. It is very evident through the lives of these two women that the men in the play have not understood the way in which they treat their females. It is a patriarchal means of living which was very dominant during the 17th century a time when the play was written. The men take no pride in how they treat their women, and this is largely evident through the life of the characters Ophelia and Gertrude.
Hamlet's Ideas on Women
Hamlet's ideas on women in the play are evident because although the play introduces us to only two female characters, that is Gertrude and Ophelia, the entire play really takes great depth in showcasing the difficult, painful, and the various unfair experiences that most women have continually suffered throughout history. The play, having being written during the 17th century a time when women had no voice among there men counterparts, Hamlet displays the various disadvantages which cast a wall on the choices they had even if one was birth from a noble family (Rani, Zamila, et al., 6). Hamlet is clearly obsessive about his women but also shows great ridicule and contempt for the actions they show, actions which Shakespeare argues to be things that they are forced to in order to survive in the misogynistic hostile world. Hamlet, in separate misogynistic rants, accuses the women of being pretenders, seductresses, and schemers whose drive is all lust. Hamlet clearly perceives the women to be all condescending and sexually objectified. These are clearly notable references on how Hamlet perceives women in the play.
Hamlet’s view on sexuality is largely on his perception and presentation of his women. For instance, Gertrude being a recipient of various feminist defenses, needs no apology. Gertrude is ideally a woman of great exuberant sexuality, who highly inspired the luxurious passion right from King Hamlet and later through King Claudius. In the play, Hamlet’s view of the females in the play is largely through their bodies. Since the male characters were considered to be dominant over the women, the female body was therefore taken to be a man’s property, and thus its sexual appeal remained an open discussion. It is an ideology that is clearly presented in the play and throughout most of Shakespeare’s plays (Amiri, Mehdi, and Sara Khoshkam, 3). Hamlet, in the play, is not afraid to make jokes about the sexuality of Ophelia in the open court, and it’s surprising that Gertrude also seems not offended to such tawdry jokes to her body. The theme of sexuality throughout the play is a major concern and a subject of consideration, and Hamlet clearly makes this a point of reference in the entire play.
Conclusion
Gender and feminism are some of the major themes, as portrayed in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Hamlet is an integral play that clearly displays the plight of women during the 17th century a time when women pride was overshadowed by the dominating presence of men who considered the women to be their property. Ophelia and Gertrude being the only female characters, are subject to various struggles and difficulties that most women underwent at that time. Gender as an integral element in the development of society seems to be a one-sided element because the women in the play are presented to be dependent on the men. Shakespeare’s presentation of women to be dependent on their men derails the essence of gender equality because this makes women be subject to their men in their lives.
