“Hamlet.” The Sole Voice. 6th ed. Although Claudius may have ulterior motives, Gertrude is the person who insisted on contacting Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and bringing them to court because of the friendship and respect that Hamlet bears for them. Although Gertrude is the Queen of Denmark and Ophelia is the prince’s lovers, they have no standing in the society and their voices are never heard. 2) Did Hamlet and Ophelia have sex? Whereas Hamlet only ponders suicide (the famous ‘To be or not to be’ soliloquy), Ophelia does actually take her own life, although this occurs off-stage. View Show abstract no: Polonius instructs Gertrude on how to handle Hamlet. While viewing Hamlet through the feminist theory lens, many male characters can be seen as being, aggressively, dominant; creating the women to have many stereotypes. I am poison’d.” And there is no more to the matter, possibly because everyone else is dying at the same time. Hamlet also disrespects and misuses his power of love when, “He kills Polonius by thrusting a rapier through the arras” (Shakespeare III.iv.29). This lens will affect Hamlet’s two main, female characters Gertrude and Ophelia. That would make perfect sense if Gertrude knew Ophelia's problem, and agreed that suicide was her only real option. In Hamlet, the female characters can be seen as being subservient to men. I absolutely think that Gertrude killed Ophelia. “Hamlet.” Essays on Shakespeare. Hamlet. Here is my crazy thought: I believe that Ophelia was pregnant with Hamlet's baby. O, where?” seems out of place, since the most logical question from a loved one would be, “How?” or “Why?” The queen replies that “her garments, heavy with their drink, / Pull’d the poor wretch from her melodious lay / To muddy death.” Laertes says briefly, “Alas, then, she is drown’d?” and the queen even more briefly, “Drown’d, drown’d.” Until the reaction of Laertes and Hamlet in the grave, Ophelia’s passing seems to go almost unnoticed. Ophelia and Gertrude have little or no power due to restricted legal, social and economic rights that were found in Elizabethan society. It is said to drive people’s […], William Shakespeares Hamlet has been considered the best catastrophe to have actually ever been composed, in which the theme of disease, decay and poison is embedded deep within the popular […], In Hamlet, the women act the small roles portraying their historical status at the time. G. Blakemore Evans. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. As mentioned previously, no matter what Gertrude and Ophelia say or do, it is immediately reflected thematically onto the other. Polonius insists that she “from this time forth” not “give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet,” and Ophelia dutifully complies with his wishes: “I shall obey, my lord.” She later even gives him her love-letters from Hamlet. London : George Bell and Sons, 1904. p. 342-368. http://ds.dial.pipex.com/thomas_larque/ham1-col.htm. Looking for a flexible role? She depends too much on those people, now without any support she turns to madness and finally commits suicide. From simple essay plans, through to full dissertations, you can guarantee we have a service perfectly matched to your needs. Ophelia and Gertrude have no real Autonomy, they are at the mercy of Hamlet, Claudius, Rodrigo, and Laertes moods to define their moods, and when the men are in conflict the women suffer, which is death in this case. London: John Murray. For example, when Claudius is … Boklund, Gunnar. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Gertrude sees this happen and says that Hamlet's actions were bloody. because Claudius wasn’t actually praying: should Hamlet have killed Claudius at the end of scene three? She remarried with him and thereafter obeyed every order from Claudius. And even at the moment of her death, her last words include, “O my dear Hamlet.” Yes, Gertrude is pro-family. “Hamlet” was written in a time when women were not even allowed to play themselves on stage, women were seen as inferior and women were ‘owned’ by men. Our academic experts are ready and waiting to assist with any writing project you may have. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Care that he killed Polonius he did not kill Claudius when he was praying a powerful to. 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