Women
KEY IDEAS:
- Women are defined and controlled by men
-> we only get a perspective of Gertrude from Hamlet – she is never given the opportunity to
justify herself
-> Ophelia is a pawn in the game of Claudius’ deceitful court and Machiavellian schemes –
a tragic victim who obeys and submits to the corrupt schemes and powerful figures around
her
Ophelia [to Polonius]: ‘I do not know my lord what I should think’ -> questioning herself [1.3]
Polonius [to Ophelia]: ‘think yourself a baby’ -> patronising, condescending [1.3]
Ophelia [in reply to Polonius forbidding her to see Hamlet]: ‘I shall obey, my lord’ -> she is a pawn
in the game of men, a commodity [1.3]
Polonius: ‘in her duty and obedience’ -> summarises Ophelia’s obedient nature [2.2]
Polonius: ‘I’ll loose my daughter to him’ -> objectifying, possessive – extended metaphor
throughout that she is controlled like an animal [2.2]
Gertrude: ‘His father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage’ [2.2] -> first thing we know about her is
her re-marriage – no room for justification, immediately condemned
Hamlet: ‘frailty, thy name is / woman.’ -> personification of frailty, direct address, exaggeration,
statement – misogynistic [1.2]
A05
Branagh, 1996
- Gertrude is in a wedding dress for Claudius’ first speech – seen from Hamlet’s perspective
- Julie Christie [actress of Gertrude] says “she is not very well developed – none of the
women in the play are. She's a passive character who never makes herself clear”
Edwards: “We can imagine Hamlet’s story without Ophelia, but Ophelia literally has no story
without Hamlet”
Tubb: Gertrude is “denied the opportunity to present her inner thoughts and feelings”
Whilst 17th century audiences viewed women through a dominant patriarchal lens (aligning with
Hamlet’s views), modern critics (20th, 21st century) re-evaluate this – see their oppression in a
patriarchal state
- Emphasis on women’s corruption/purity
-> objectification and derogatory treatment is disproportionate to the treatment of
, other characters who are much more corrupt e.g. Claudius – Hamlet berates Gertrude
simply for re-marrying, but doesn’t confront Claudius until the end, and when he does, it is
swift – he delivers one line compared to the repetitive insults he directs towards Gertrude
Laertes [to Ophelia]: ‘weigh what loss your honour may sustain’ -> she must be careful of her
reputation being ruined [1.3]
Hamlet: ‘The fair Ophelia – Nymph' - beautiful, loves her deeply [3.1]
Hamlet to Ophelia: ‘are you honest?’ - asking if she is chaste – making comments like Polonius and
Laertes [3.1]
Hamlet: ‘Get thee to a nunnery, why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?’ - so she can remain
chaste – while Hamlet seems to be acting mad here, he is still degrading Ophelia/aware that he is
[3.1]
Hamlet: ‘Lady, shall I lie in your lap?’ ‘my head upon your lap’ ‘country matters’ ‘That’s a fair
thought to lie between maid’s legs’ - humiliating Ophelia with sexual connotations – it is hard to
forgive Hamlet here as he isn’t really mad, but is still shaming her [3.2]
Hamlet: ‘[refers to his mother as a] hobby-horse' - sexual pun about riding/a woman who has
multiple sexual partners – insulting his mother [3.2]
Hamlet: ‘You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s / wife’ - insulting her, harsh, reminding
her of her illicit marriage [3.4]
Hamlet: ‘rank sweat of an enseamed bed / Stewed in corruption’ - continues to upset his mother
despite her protests – marital bed described as incestuous and disgusting – the sex is the worst
part for Hamlet [3.4]
A05
Branagh, 1996
- Hamlet and Ophelia have had sex – shown through flashbacks
Doran, Tennant, 2008
- Doran: Gertrude and Claudius have a “vigorous sexual relationship” - Gertrude is
presented through Hamlet’s view as shallow and lustful in his production
- In the Mousetrap, the queen player is played by a man, who acts in an absurd manner,
showing his bare chest indicating lust/lecherous nature – unflattering portrayal of
Gertrude
- Closet scene:
-> Costume – revealing satin pyjamas?
-> Physical contact/violent/close proximity
-> Throws her onto the bed – Freudian?
KEY IDEAS:
- Women are defined and controlled by men
-> we only get a perspective of Gertrude from Hamlet – she is never given the opportunity to
justify herself
-> Ophelia is a pawn in the game of Claudius’ deceitful court and Machiavellian schemes –
a tragic victim who obeys and submits to the corrupt schemes and powerful figures around
her
Ophelia [to Polonius]: ‘I do not know my lord what I should think’ -> questioning herself [1.3]
Polonius [to Ophelia]: ‘think yourself a baby’ -> patronising, condescending [1.3]
Ophelia [in reply to Polonius forbidding her to see Hamlet]: ‘I shall obey, my lord’ -> she is a pawn
in the game of men, a commodity [1.3]
Polonius: ‘in her duty and obedience’ -> summarises Ophelia’s obedient nature [2.2]
Polonius: ‘I’ll loose my daughter to him’ -> objectifying, possessive – extended metaphor
throughout that she is controlled like an animal [2.2]
Gertrude: ‘His father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage’ [2.2] -> first thing we know about her is
her re-marriage – no room for justification, immediately condemned
Hamlet: ‘frailty, thy name is / woman.’ -> personification of frailty, direct address, exaggeration,
statement – misogynistic [1.2]
A05
Branagh, 1996
- Gertrude is in a wedding dress for Claudius’ first speech – seen from Hamlet’s perspective
- Julie Christie [actress of Gertrude] says “she is not very well developed – none of the
women in the play are. She's a passive character who never makes herself clear”
Edwards: “We can imagine Hamlet’s story without Ophelia, but Ophelia literally has no story
without Hamlet”
Tubb: Gertrude is “denied the opportunity to present her inner thoughts and feelings”
Whilst 17th century audiences viewed women through a dominant patriarchal lens (aligning with
Hamlet’s views), modern critics (20th, 21st century) re-evaluate this – see their oppression in a
patriarchal state
- Emphasis on women’s corruption/purity
-> objectification and derogatory treatment is disproportionate to the treatment of
, other characters who are much more corrupt e.g. Claudius – Hamlet berates Gertrude
simply for re-marrying, but doesn’t confront Claudius until the end, and when he does, it is
swift – he delivers one line compared to the repetitive insults he directs towards Gertrude
Laertes [to Ophelia]: ‘weigh what loss your honour may sustain’ -> she must be careful of her
reputation being ruined [1.3]
Hamlet: ‘The fair Ophelia – Nymph' - beautiful, loves her deeply [3.1]
Hamlet to Ophelia: ‘are you honest?’ - asking if she is chaste – making comments like Polonius and
Laertes [3.1]
Hamlet: ‘Get thee to a nunnery, why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?’ - so she can remain
chaste – while Hamlet seems to be acting mad here, he is still degrading Ophelia/aware that he is
[3.1]
Hamlet: ‘Lady, shall I lie in your lap?’ ‘my head upon your lap’ ‘country matters’ ‘That’s a fair
thought to lie between maid’s legs’ - humiliating Ophelia with sexual connotations – it is hard to
forgive Hamlet here as he isn’t really mad, but is still shaming her [3.2]
Hamlet: ‘[refers to his mother as a] hobby-horse' - sexual pun about riding/a woman who has
multiple sexual partners – insulting his mother [3.2]
Hamlet: ‘You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s / wife’ - insulting her, harsh, reminding
her of her illicit marriage [3.4]
Hamlet: ‘rank sweat of an enseamed bed / Stewed in corruption’ - continues to upset his mother
despite her protests – marital bed described as incestuous and disgusting – the sex is the worst
part for Hamlet [3.4]
A05
Branagh, 1996
- Hamlet and Ophelia have had sex – shown through flashbacks
Doran, Tennant, 2008
- Doran: Gertrude and Claudius have a “vigorous sexual relationship” - Gertrude is
presented through Hamlet’s view as shallow and lustful in his production
- In the Mousetrap, the queen player is played by a man, who acts in an absurd manner,
showing his bare chest indicating lust/lecherous nature – unflattering portrayal of
Gertrude
- Closet scene:
-> Costume – revealing satin pyjamas?
-> Physical contact/violent/close proximity
-> Throws her onto the bed – Freudian?
