Women in Hamlet

Women Characters in Hamlet

Introduction

There are two important women characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet: Gertrude and Ophelia. Both are closely connected with Hamlet and suffer in the male-dominated society of the play.

1. Gertrude

Gertrude is Hamlet's mother and the Queen of Denmark. Hamlet is unhappy because she marries Claudius soon after the death of his father. He calls her marriage “o'er-hasty” and says:

“Frailty, thy name is woman!”

Gertrude is sometimes considered a weak woman. However, she is also intelligent and practical. She tells Polonius:

“More matter with less art.”

In the closet scene, she understands her mistake and feels guilty.

2. Ophelia

Ophelia is Polonius's daughter and Hamlet's beloved. She is an innocent and obedient girl. Her father and brother control her decisions, and she has little freedom of her own. Hamlet also treats her cruelly and rejects her love.

Ophelia's Madness and Death

After the death of her father, Ophelia becomes mad. She expresses her hidden feelings through songs and flowers. Her madness finally leads to her death.

Conclusion

Gertrude and Ophelia represent the almost no position of women in a male-dominated society. Gertrude is influenced by family and social relationships, while Ophelia has very little control over her own life. Both women play an important role in Hamlet's tragedy.