Maki Hamlet Patriarchal Analysis

Jasmine Griffen
Shakespeare
Christopher Nielsen
Hamlet

In Hamlet there are many different characters. While you would think that the most compelling characters would be the male characters. The truth is that the female characters are the ones that drive the play. However the one female character that is not only a large driving force in the play but also in society. In Patriarchal society, Ophelia is already destined to have a tragic end, whether it is in death or loss of sanity. The character of Ophelia is a fascinating one as we see what happens to the beauty and innocence of one during the patriarchal society of Hamlet. It is an interesting observation in which women are dependent on their men and fathers to validate who they are
Ophelia as a woman in this society cannot obey or follow her father due to his death. However she is unwed in a time where she would then follow and obey her husband. The innocence of Ophelia in this play of revenge, murder and lies becomes tainted. The article by Maki talks about her obedience being a part of her downfall due to her blindly following the men in her life. However innocence plays a large part in the reason why Ophelia can be easily used and manipulated by the men around her. During these times not just Ophelia but women in a general sense were used by the men in society to elevate their status and the families
She is saddened by this because of her love for Ophelia. This is a part of the downfall and madness of Ophelia. While many believed Ophelia to exhibit signs of madness and hysteria, it seems that this is also an opportunity for Ophelia to unleash and speak about what she has kept in for so long. Due to the issue that they believed Ophelia to be mad she was able to express how she felt. The sad reality is that Ophelia was trapped in a box and her only escape even after expressing herself is death. She feels she has no escape and she feels she has no say in her destiny.

After her Father’s death she does not care about the right way to act or the way a lady should be. This is not just due to the death of her father but also due to Hamlet’s departure, rejection and lies. As well as the realization that no matter whom a person appears to be they cannot hide behind their title. In her last moment in society and the last time we see her speak she shows the clarity she has in regards to who everyone truly is instead of hiding behind their titles. We see that Ophelia has been used as a pawn in the play to show the toll this type of society took on the mind of many