Thesis: In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, women are in a position of weakness and reliance on men because of their lack of voice
and their need to fight to
survive.
Explanation Quotes/Details from the book Articles/Sources Articles/Sources
Shakespeare’s perception of
women is weak and dependent
on the men that surround them.
Women are taught to act
Introduction: fragile and rely on the men
involved in their lives because
women did not have freedom “The Tragedy of Hamlet, “Character Analysis: Gertrude “Ophelia, Gender and
of expression. Women’s Prince of Denmark.” in Hamlet.” (The British Madness.” (The British
representation in Hamlet can Library). Library).
be assimilated to living under a
man’s shadow. Gertrude and
Ophelia are forced to grow in
man’s world where their voice
is never heard but ignored.
Body 1: Gertrude and Ophelia express “and yet, within a month,— “…the few, short, speeches Ophelia’s article: She
Reliance on men that they cannot confront Let me not think on’t,— she makes as merely the does not have a soliloquy
everyday struggles without the Frailty, thy name is reflection of her male and only emphasizes
manipulation of the men woman!-” (1.2.149-150) counterparts’ thoughts and men’s ideas.
around them. Gertrude marries opinions.” (Par. 5) This
Claudius shortly after her “I do not know, my Lord, implies that she never has her
husband passes. Ophelia goes what I should think.” own speech and only
insane due to her father’s death (1.2.113) emphasizes men’s ideas.
and takes her own life because
she is not used to taking
decisions for herself.
Body 2: Fear Gertrude and Ophelia are “No, my good lord, but as Ignorance and manipulation. “Biological and
taught to act weak in order to you did command I did repel “Despite Gertrude’s gift for emotional in origins, it
survive in a world ruled by his letters and denied his making shrewd observations was caused by her
men. Gertrude marries access to me.” (2.2.120-122) she appears content not to act unrequited love.” (Par. 3)
Claudius knowing that it upon them, and instead Represents her fear of
infuriates Hamlet and is aware “Perhaps he loves you submits to the schemes of her not being loved or
about his murder but feels the now…but you must fear,” husband.” (Par. 7) valued.
need to stay with him in order (1.3.17-19)
to survive. Ophelia loves
Hamlet but fears her father’s
reaction if she disobeys him
and does not allow her to see
him.
Body 3: Realization and Gertrude and Ophelia realize “I will, my lord; I pray you “…she fully realizes her Ophelia realizes that she
awakening that they have control over pardon me.” (5.2.18) dramatic potential…and in so has the ability to act
their lives and do not need doing identifies Claudius as against society’s norms
men’s manipulation. Gertrude Polonius tells Ophelia to her killer.” (Par. 13) and, “…in her mad scene
drank the poisoned wine, stand in the hallway and she entered…giving
disobeying Claudius. Ophelia pretend to read a book in away her flowers,
betrayed Hamlet although she order to catch Hamlet’s symbolically deflowering
loved him. She obeyed attention and observe his herself.” (Par. 3)
Polonius and Claudius when reaction and she obeys.
they forced her to talk to him
in order to spy him and see his
reaction.
