Literary Analysis Essay on Hamlet

Introduction

The play by William Shakespeare, Hamlet, is frequented by textual controversies, Feminism being one of them. Feminism is generally referred to as advocating and championing the all women rights including social and political so that they can be equivalent to the men's (Derry, & Robbin 1997, pp. 15 ). The 18th C literature debated a lot on the issue in regards to Feminism, as brought out in Shakespeare's text. In Shakespeare's existence era, there was consideration of most female characters as anti-feminist as a result of the role played by women or how he referred to them in the text as well as other characters. The analysis of Hamlet, through the characters like Ophelia and Gertrude, provides a feminist lens where the women have roles and opinions that are marginalized throughout the play. Shakespeare writes the play from a male-centered viewpoint and thus laying emphasis on the male characters and their daily responsibilities. By use of the male characters' experience, he fails to integrate the opinions and effective role of women. Feminism thus is an issue predominant in the play. This essay will illustrate the philosophy and theme of feminism as brought out in the play, Hamlet.

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Focusing on the feminist lens, woman character is marginalized in the play, Hamlet. In Act III, Gertrude is discriminated from the men's plan (ACT III-1, pg. 136). She is requested by Claudius to leave the men to plan. She is in included, which means that her opinions don't count regardless of it may have saved or fixed the situation. If the scene is read and interpreted by a person in support of feminism, it is notable that she is dismissed as she is considered as unnecessary, thus her opinion worthless. From a feminist view, Gertrude's response shows her submissiveness and forethought lack which interprets a kind of dismissal common where she is constantly undermined. Gertrude is confronted by Hamlet in regards to her mistakes by remarrying Claudius. Hamlet desexualizes his mother by calling her names in a way that is subtle, thus calls her mother a whore. As he tries to make her mother repent, he laments on how she could have prevented all the occurrences if she had resisted being a sexual desires slave. There is a further believes by Hamlet that women fall victim to sexual desires, thus has an opinion that women like her mother are the weak female who prioritizes her pleasure without considering her the consequences of her actions. "Proclaim no shame, when the compulsive ardor gives the charge, since frost itself as actively doth burn, and reason panders will" (ACT 111-4, pg. 200). There is female gender attack where the fallacious believes that the women are meant to be used for sex and serve the men and be subjective to the men's will as a result of their urge for men to be by their side. The guilt by Gertrude is used by Shakespeare to manipulate her character. She is lectured by Hamlet, where as a result of the argument, she acknowledges her sins by incestuous marriage, and her role in the death of the father to Hamlet and consequently some occurrences like Ophelia's madness and the death of Polonius. As a result of her guilty deeds, she willingly decides to drink a poisoned wine cup as her own death's desire. The feminist Len's manipulation consequently illustrates the weakness in most women as represented by Gertrude. The play Hamlet by Shakespeare showcase how feminism grabs hold leaving the reader making an evaluation of the attributes and traits of the play such as innocence and weakness, where the female gender in the context is taken advantage of.

The male audience in the male does not understand Ophelia. On the other hand, Gertrude is aroused fear, who understands, on Ophelia's double standard and women's oppression rebellion. As Ophelia mourns her father, there is a thought perceived by people that she is weak in her mind and did have a 'shattered' and death was her insanity's only escape. Laertes is spied by Hamlet in ACT IV, after the suicidal death of her sister. Laertes speaks in disgusts over her sister's death saying that it was triggered by someone's madness. He trusts that her nature of a weak famine led to a man destroying her mind thus taking advantage of her. Both Laertes and Hamlet have a claim that the mind of Ophelia and make us of the logic that she is of feminine gender as a means to destroy her reputation at the edge as an unwittingly and subservient girl who is innocent. For instance, in the middle of the novel, Ophelia and Hamlet "are threatened with mental breakdowns, rendering their need to define their experiences and re-define themselves particularly acute. Hamlet attempts a 'self-care' to deal with his mental instability."

The characters Laertes and Polonius exhibit patriarchal ideologies to portray the feminism theme. Laertes warns his sister about the importance of protecting ting her chastity and virginity. Although his warnings target more Ophelia whom he thinks can be attracted to a husband since there is a notion that when a woman has married a virgin, there is legitimacy in the heirs to the man. On the other hand, she makes an illumination of her brother's double standard as she identifies with him being promiscuous. Similarly, Ophelia is exploited by Polonius by demanding a report of everything she talks with Hamlet (Brooks, & Jean R 1986, pp. 36). She is also compelled to talk to Hamlet, which she feels is dominance by the father, yet as an unmarried woman, she must obey. In addition to this, the abusive behavior and insults hurled at her by Hamlet further show perception of feminine corruption symbol which leads to Ophelia taking away her life. This proved how the female character is oppressed and her physiology oppressed by the male character in authority pushing the women to unethical acts of committing suicide.

Conclusion

The female characters of the play, Ophelia and Gertrude are assigned to responsibilities that fulfill the requirements and purposes of the male gender characters in their lives and experiences. The critics of feminism are well brought out and implemented in the play, Hamlet, through the dialog and actions of the characters of the male gender in regards to the female directly or indirectly (Feminism, Women, And The Shakespearean History Play n.d. pp. 26). The play further makes a reflection of the subordinate position of the women in the Elizabethan era, where their lifestyles are mainly regulated by the authoritative male character. Their freedoms and rights are restricted, thus have little power. Therefore Shakespeare makes an illustration of feminism is not only the play but the society he lived by then of the period of Elizabethan.

References

Brooks, & Jean R. "The Play." Hamlet by William Shakespeare, 1986, pp. 3-44., doi:10.1007/978-1-349-07484-6_2.

Feminism, Women, And The Shakespearean History Play. (n.d.). Engendering A Nation, 20-30. doi:10.4324/9780203205105_chapter_3

Shakespeare, William, and A. W. Verity. Hamlet. University Press, 1925.

Derry, & Robbin. "Feminism." Ruffin, 1997, pp. 11-29., doi:10.5840/ruffinoup19973.