Comparing Hamlet 'And The Handmaid's Tale'

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Intro: In the play “the tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” and the story “the handmaids tale” the characters Gertrude and Serena joy share similar characteristics. Gertrude, The Queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother, recently married Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than moral truth and Serena Joy: The Commander’s wife who worked in pre-Gilead days as a gospel singer then an anti-feminist activist. In Gilead, she sits at the top of the female social ladder and yet, she lives an unhappy life
Thesis: Gertrude and Serena joy share the similarity of having men dominancy over their lives and they both come from line of Superior authority: Gertrude is the queen and Serena joy is the commander’s wife. Gertrude and Serena joy both love the men in their life but not get the attention they deserve.
Body 1: .Gertrude after marrying late King Hamlet, gained the title as the Queen of Denmark in which Claudius took advantage of and married Gertrude to gain the …show more content…

Has a high ranking in the social class of women. Serena Joy is always doing something to occupy herself such as knitting and gardening. It keeps her busy for the day and keeps her occupied to not notice the actions of the Commander. Despite having freedom inside her house, Serena is restricted to only do the job of a Wife and not associate herself with the work of her husband. Serena Joy Is inactive and carefree and her actions are restricted compared to her previous life
Body 3: Gertrude: is weak and inferior as she has no power over the men in her life Serena Joy: is weak and inferior as she cannot control her own life under the male dominant society. Serena Joy lives in male-dominant society in which women have no authority whatsoever and Gertrude lives in a society where men make all the major decisions.

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