Over the years Hamlet by William Shakespeare has been analyzed, referenced, and taught in schools all over the world. The famous play demonstrates a well developed, intricate, and deep plot line that establishes irony and a sense of what life was like in the early 1600s. However, what if Hamlet was transplanted into 21st century America and was forced to adapt to the new, technological age of mankind? His thought process and the strategies he uses to work through situations would not align with what he would be presented with in the world today, and would reflect a dislike of modern ideas and practices in America. Ultimately, I believe if Hamlet were to live in modern day America he would be driven mad by the new found power women have over men, the lack of censorship of outward sexual expression in society, America’s willingness to pursue war and sacrifice the lives of our soldiers, and the ignorance of American citizens who disagree with the governments protective deception.
On August 18th, 1920 the 19th amendment of the United States Constitution was ratified guaranteeing all American women the right to vote. As American history has progressed women have gained more and more freedom to make their own choices without the consent of men. In the 21st century American women hold positions in the government, large cooperation’s, and several other important jobs that keep the economy moving while contributing insightful knowledge that influences the world in many great ways. Ophelia, on the other hand, is surrounded by three powerful men: Polonius, Laertes, and Hamlet whom of which control her life and make decisions for her. Polonius encourages Ophelia to keep clear of Hamlet because his only desire is to have sex with her....
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...im to become the leader of their people. While our culture and society have leaped through several hoops that established more equality throughout our nation, we still face problems that Hamlet struggles to overcome in his journey. With much room to improve, just like Hamlet, the American people will continue to attempt to better the environment in as many ways possible just as Hamlet did when he lost his father to a corrupted human being. His yearning to establish justice for his father’s death is a clear representation of what many human beings try to overcome in their everyday lives, whether it is death, illness, or love. The species of man-kind will continue to prevail just as Hamlet did by protecting others through his death, for people just like him carry a good heart seeking love, purity, and justice in the minds of all.
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia has a limited social role because she is a woman in a man’s world. In other words, she is a powerless young woman whose actions are determined by the men around her. Ophelia has no female alliances to protect her when these men subjugate her chastity. This presents a problem because the men around her are driven by the misguided assumption that her chastity will allow them to reap benefits for themselves. Her lack of individual decision-making and selfhood thus provide the foundation for her emotional unraveling. By underestimating Ophelia’s capability to make decisions for herself, the characters in the play place emotional strains on her, causing her to contemplate where her loyalties lie—to her family or
In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, women are oversexualized, and are given no role other than to be the item of a man’s desire. The promiscuity of the only two women in the play, Gertrude and Ophelia, detracts from their power and integrity, and allows Hamlet a certain amount of control over them. Gertrude’s sexual lifestyle is often mentioned by her son, Hamlet, and Hamlet uses his knowledge of Gertrude’s sexuality as a means to criticize her. Ophelia’s sexuality initially appears to be controlled by Laertes and Polonius, and Hamlet takes advantage of the naive image that she is required to keep. However, in her later madness, Ophelia taints this image by revealing that her innocence is feigned. By exposing the sexual natures of both Gertrude and Ophelia, Hamlet strips these women of any influence they may have had, and damages their once-honourable names.
The play Hamlet Written by Shakespeare, was set in the late middle ages. Often women in Shakespeare’s plays have a very significant role, Ophelia herself did not have a very significant role in the plot but she did have an effective influence on some characters. During this time period women were oppressed by the dominant sex. This had a very negative effect on women in that society. Because of male dominance, Ophelia was brought to madness which eventually lead to her death.
Hamlet was written to target the Elizabethan audience in many ways. Using religious views, showing the cruelness of humans and speaking about the importance of honour shows them how they can change their lives. Hamlet was more of a thinker than a doer, and by contemplating revenge, existence and death, he connected with his
In the time Wiliam Shakesphere acting was considered to be a man profession, women roles were played by men. Women were not given the opportunity until the late 1600s. Gender inequality is a predominant issue in Hamlet as the two leading women’s are used as tools of manipulation by the male figures in their lives. Ultimately, Shakesphere illustrates a sympathetic image of Gertrude and Ophelia as their downfall can be blamed on how narrow minded and sexiest men are. Gertrude’s weakness enables her to place her emotions ahead of moral righteousness and reverence. Which she married Claudius, whom is her dead’s husband brother, with this situation it initiates Hamlet’s sexiest view on women; which all women are flawed. Where Ophelia is a lack of freewill, she has no voice in any decision making. She listens attentively to Polonius and Laetres and agrees with their requests with up most respect even if it may seem wrong. For example she spyed on
In Elizabethan times, Ophelia is restricted as a woman. She is obedient to the commands of the men in her life although she often attempts to do the right thing. Polonius, Laertes, and Hamlet all have a grasp on Ophelia and who she is. She does not have the freedom to change her fate as Hamlet does. Shawna Maki states, “Ophelia’s life is determined by the whims of men who control her” (1). Polonius takes advantage of his relationship with Ophelia by using her to achieve a better relationship with Claudius. Polonius and Laertes teach Ophelia how to behave, therefore, abusing their power in allowing Ophelia to become who she wants to be (Brown 2).
Culturally, women have been expected to be soft spoken, gentle, delicate flowers. They should not question a man's opinion or go against their will. Ophelia, in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is an example of a young naive girl who faces the dangers that come from only following what others want, and not thinking for herself. The men in this play use her for their own benefit and she suffers the repercussions, which leads her to madness and “accidental” death.
Our personal response to William Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’ (1603) is informed by our knowledge of the composer’s contextual and political milieu which aids to highlight aspects of the human condition which permeate not only Elizabethan England but also that within our modern context. Shakespeare utilises a variety of dramatic and language techniques, to delve deeply into elements of human nature, thus through the play’s textual integrity, Shakespeare is able to strike a chord with contemporary audiences as we too consider the perilous nature of human attributes such as deception, corruption, and mortality.
Young Hamlet, though seemingly mad, used his cunning and intellect to set this country on the right path to restore it to its former glory. Without him, we would be subject to the humiliation of living in a kingdom ruled by a bibulous, arrogant man.
In Shakespeare’s dramatic works there is no room for the heroic or the strong woman, and therefore many of his plays can be perceived as being antifeminist. Often he portrays women as weak, mad, sexual, and as even witches. Hamlet is no exception. The only women in the play, Ophelia and Queen Gertrude, are given confined and limited roles. These roles are from a male-dominated viewpoint and only add focus to the male characters instead of incorporating the insight and the impact of the women as well.
Many have wondered why Hamlet, a work from around 400 years ago is relevant in modern society. One would think a piece of work written at the time based on a true story would eventually die out as it became irrelevant. That isn't the case of Hamlet and other works by Shakespeare simply because of how Shakespeare is able to wonderfully address the human condition and the fact that the human condition simply does not change within 400 years. As said by Craven a professor at UTSA, “Humans still experience love, loss, betrayal, war, humor and tragedy, which gives Shakespeare a foothold in modern times,”Due to this, Hamlet is still relevant today because its major themes such as love, betrayal, and tragedy are major forces that we as a species still have to deal with. These themes heavily resonates with us and can be seen in popular contemporary works that exist today such as Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games and the Twilight Series which shows us how Hamlet is relevant today because of its portrayal of human traits.
For many years in the past women played a small role socially, economically, and politically. As a result of this many works in literature were reflective of this diminutive role of women. In Elizabethan theatres small boys dressed and played the roles of women. In contrast to this trend, in Shakespeare's Hamlet the women in the play are driving factors for the actions of many other characters. Both Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, and Ophelia, Hamlet's love, affected many of the decisions and actions done by Hamlet.
The perfection of Hamlet’s character has been called in question - perhaps by those who do not understand it. The character of Hamlet stands by itself. It is not a character marked by strength of will or even of passion, but by refinement of thought and sentiment. Hamlet is as little of the hero as a man can be. He is a young and princely novice, full of high enthusiasm and quick sensibility - the sport of circumstances, questioning with fortune and refining on his own feelings, and forced from his natural disposition by the strangeness of his situation.
Hamlet is the best known tragedy in literature today. Here, Shakespeare exposes Hamlet’s flaws as a heroic character. The tragedy in this play is the result of the main character’s unrealistic ideals and his inability to overcome his weakness of indecisiveness. This fatal attribute led to the death of several people which included his mother and the King of Denmark. Although he is described as being a brave and intelligent person, his tendency to procrastinate prevented him from acting on his father’s murder, his mother’s marriage, and his uncle’s ascension to the throne.
It is demonstrated that both Gertrude and Ophelia deserve their fate throughout the play. The women deserve their fate because of their inability to be independent and their ability to be easily influenced. It is important to have independence in all of one’s life, and to be capable of making one’s own choices; Otherwise, many terrible events may occur. Numerous historical events have resulted in women earning their independence. It is a vital characteristic to have, which can help people in many ways.