Hamlet: Masogyny
...t, you know that Gertrude is known for her adultery and betrayal. Gertrude may have not been an accomplis in King Hamlet’s death, but she has betrayed her only son. Gertrude’s role as queen is not fulfilled. Instead of ruling, giving orders, and demanding things, she is given orders and is demanded to do such things. Gertrude is the type of woman that depends on a man. If she is told to jump, she jumps, she doesn’t ask how high. An example would be when Claudius tells Gertrude, “ Sweet Gertrude, leave us too, For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,...” ....I shall Obey you. And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish That your good beuties be the happy cause Of Hamlet’s wildness. So shall I hope your virtues Will bring him to his wonted way again, To both your honors.... (Hamlet 3.1.41-46) A reason Hamlet feels betrayed by his mother is because soon after king Hamlet’s death, Gertrude remarried. But this wasn’t the problem, the problem was that she married his one and only uncle Claudius, brother or King Hamlet. The reason why Hamlet felt hatred and betrayed by his mother was because she showed no feelings or sorrow for her husbands death. She repeatedly told Hamlet to stop grieving , and that everyone dies. Ophelia’s roll in the play is similar to the one of Gertrude. Hamlet also feels betrayed by Ophelia and treats her no better than he treats his own mother. Hamlet is unhappy with Ophelia because she always goes running to her father to tell him everything that is going on with her. She always does what her father tells her to. Hamlet is mad because Ophelia was told by Laertes to not see him again and Ophelia listened. Ophelia, who has lived around men all her life, does not know what to do other than obey what she is told to do. Ophelia can pretty much be insulted and violated and she will not know what to do or how to react. For example, when Ophelia went to Hamlet to give him his gifts back, Hamlet had many things to say. The point is that Hamlet ended up insulting Ophelia. Instead, of defending herself or asking questions to understand what is going on, Ophelia is puzzled and has nice things to say about Hamlet. ..... O what a noble mind is here o’enthrown! The courtier’s, soldiers, scholar’s, eye, toungue, sword, The expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion, and the mold of form,..... (Hamlet 3.1. 158-169) Ophelia is so confused of what she has just heard from Hamlet, that she has nothing better to say. ...