Ophelia's Women
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, women take upon pivotal roles that affect the outcome of play. From intensifying Hamlet’s grievances to ultimately leading to his death, women have contributed much to the storyline. When the conversation of women arises in Hamlet, the two major female characters Gertrude and Ophelia, are often examined. Gertrude, mother of Hamlet, decides to marry Claudius, her husbands brother, after he passess away. Hamlet is deeply troubled with her decision and characterizes it as “incestous” and deceitful. Claudius manipulates Gertrude into consummating this marriage, as it would fulfill Claudius's desire to have power. Gertrude is obedient to Claudius; she seeks him for insight and follows his orders. Her commitment to the
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Since Ophelia is not married, she must rely on the men in her life: Polonius, Laertes and the King. Due to this, she lacks free will in this patriarchal society and ends up mad. Ophelia asserts allegiance to the men in her life through various ways: she follows Polonius's orders to stay away from Hamlet and his false promises and, she agrees to serve as bait which allows Polonius to spy on Hamlet. Ophelia seems to seek Hamlet’s love as a means of liberating herself from these controlling men. However, Hamlet is aware of Ophelia and orders her to “Get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.122). Hamlet utilizes these play on words to target Ophelia’s sexuality. The fear of becoming cuckolded doesn’t appeal to Hamlet, which is why he orders her to go to a brothel. A few scenes later Hamlet murders Ophelia’s father, Polonius, which enrages Laertes and makes Ophelia turn mad. Upon hearing about Polonius's death Ophelia acts as if she is madly in love with hamlet starts singing about the instances during which Hamlet took advantage of her. While Laertes tries to calm her, she responds “I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died” (4.5.187-189). This line represents the peak of Ophelia’s emotional break down. She is tired of being ordered around by every man in her life. The fact that she randomly starts singing and pretending
Since Ophelia is not married, she must rely on the men in her life: Polonius, Laertes and the King. Due to this, she lacks free will in this patriarchal society and ends up mad. Ophelia asserts allegiance to the men in her life through various ways: she follows Polonius's orders to stay away from Hamlet and his false promises and, she agrees to serve as bait which allows Polonius to spy on Hamlet. Ophelia seems to seek Hamlet’s love as a means of liberating herself from these controlling men. However, Hamlet is aware of Ophelia and orders her to “Get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.122). Hamlet utilizes these play on words to target Ophelia’s sexuality. The fear of becoming cuckolded doesn’t appeal to Hamlet, which is why he orders her to go to a brothel. A few scenes later Hamlet murders Ophelia’s father, Polonius, which enrages Laertes and makes Ophelia turn mad. Upon hearing about Polonius's death Ophelia acts as if she is madly in love with hamlet starts singing about the instances during which Hamlet took advantage of her. While Laertes tries to calm her, she responds “I would give you some violets, but they withered all when my father died” (4.5.187-189). This line represents the peak of Ophelia’s emotional break down. She is tired of being ordered around by every man in her life. The fact that she randomly starts singing and pretending