Anti Feminism In Hamlet Essay

Feminism, a fine line between whether Hamlet written by William Shakespeare was to be or not to be a feminist text. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet focuses on the inferior nature of women in comparison to men and proves that relationships work to limit women as shown through the sexist remarks from the more important male roles, the greater focus on the beauty and nobility solely of the female characters, and, furthermore, the minimal allowance of speech and personal actions for the women.

To begin, sexist remarks are proven to be an easy style of anti-feminism throughout all culture, specifically in those of the late middle ages. Hamlet, and Gertrude, his mother, face a harsh reality that is the death of a loved one and in turn brought forward the marriage of Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius and his

Hamlet comments on his mother’s marriage in an argument where he states, “O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason / would have mourn’d longer! Married with my uncle!” (Shakespeare 1.2.150-151). Hamlet equates his mother to a beast because of her newfound involvement with his uncle. Making her as his mother feel worthless and ashamed. Following Hamlet and Gertrude, Hamlet and Ophelia interact similarly in a way to create an image of importance solely for Ophelia’s sexuality. Hamlet explains that “That’s a fair thought to lie between a maiden’s legs” (3.2.114). Hamlet makes sexual innuendos continuously through the scene putting Ophelia in a position of inferiority. She can not react to the innuendos in a way that proves she understands as not to ruin her reputation although Hamlet continues to have control over Ophelia and the conversation, just as some of the other male characters such as her father have control over her body. After that, Hamlet uses his anger that built up against Gertrude in order to explain his sexist remark: Let me not think on 't; frailty, thy name is woman!”