Feminist Criticism of Hamlet

Characters
The characters Shakespeare
creates allows the reader
to observe the misogynistic
tendencies in this society.

Ophelia

She does not seem to have her
own free will. She is portrayed as
a character who is extremely obedient
to the men in her life.

When asked to stop her relationship with
Hamlet, she replies "I shall obey, my lord."
(1.3.142)

This shows that she is unable to make
for herself. Her father has made the decision
to cut out the lord for her.

Ophelia is taken advantage of by her father
to spy on Hamlet.

"Your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this,
'Tis too much proved, that with devotions visage,
And pious action we do sugar o'er
The devil himself." (3.1.48)

Gertrude

Portrayed as a womanwho constantly
requires a male counterpart to carry on.

Immedietly marries the brother of her husband
following his death. This exudes an idea
of weakness in women.

Looks to her husband for advice on how to
deal with her seemingly mad son, without any
direction from herself.

Follows Claudius' instructions on how to speak
to Hamlet, leading to Polonius' death.

Hamlet

Hamlet seems to have a poor view on women,
especially his mother.

"Frailty, thy name is woman!"
(1.2.146)

Hamlet says this as a result of his
mothers snap decision to marry his uncle,
this leads him to believe all women are bad.

Claudius

Manipulates the people around him, especially
Gertrude, to achieve his goals.

Leads Gertrude to believe he is an
understanding and loving step-father
to Hamlet to manipulate her.

"This mad young man, but so our love."
(4.1.20)