Misogynistic Ideals in Hamlet

Hamlet notoriously asserts, “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (I.II.150) after being disgruntled and disappointed by his mother’s short mourning period for his father. To a modern audience, this phrase is immensely appalling, but for the Elizabethan era, this is perfectly acceptable. Elizabethan social order was built upon a temple where its foundations was the patriarchal domination and it was decorated with misogynistic ornaments. Hamlet’s tumultuous relationship with Ophelia is due to his distrust and dissatisfaction with his own mother, Gertrude. Shakespeare’s Elsinore is pulsing with testosterone throughout its palace walls. King Claudius, King of Denmark, is the chief of state and Gertrude remains loyal and dependent on him. On a lower level, Polonius, is the chief advisor, who is the head of his family and Ophelia remains dependent on him. Hamlet views that both Ophelia and Gertrude are dependent on the men in their lives because they are incapable of fending, thinking and supporting themselves, which prompts to Hamlet’s misogynistic feelings. Hamlet scorns Gertrude after she chooses to remarry his uncle, Claudius, quickly and by doing so she sealed her fate as an ever dependent woman in Hamlet’s eyes. Hamlet states, “Why, she would hang on him As if increase of appetite had grown By what it fed on. And yet, within a month (Let me not think on ‘t; frailty, thy name is woman!), A little month, or ere those shoes were old With which she followed my poor father’s body, Within a month, Had left the flushing in her galled eyes, She married. O, most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (I.II. 146-160). Hamlet acknowledges that his mother was heavily sexually dependent and she will have any other to fulfill that position in her life as her longing grows for sex. Hamlet loses all respect for his mother because she married her brother-in-law, which in his mind is “incestuous” and immoral. Hamlet’s distaste in the timing of the marriage and using words like “to post” and “dexterity” suggests that she was some sort of cunning sexual athlete, which adds to the development of his misogynistic feelings. Seeing this dependency and this sexual nature of Gertrude only allows Hamlet’s temper to boil over his mother. Ophelia, young and naïve daughter of Polonius, remains the loyal and obedient to her father, however she doesn’t have a mind of her own since Polonius and Laertes control her life. After being enthusiastically thrilled about Hamlet’s budding love for her, Ophelia is forced to never see Hamlet ever again according to her father’s orders. Without a mind for herself or the ability to stand up to him, she is a weak and infantile being. After being insulted for having feelings for Hamlet, Ophelia reassures Polonius with, “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.” (I.III.113). Polonius states, “I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth Have you so slander any moment leisure As to give words and talk with the Lord Hamlet. Look to ‘t, I charge you. Come your ways.” (I.III.141-144). When Polonius demands that Ophelia no longer have anything to do with Hamlet, she submissively replies “I shall obey, my lord.” Ophelia’s ability to not think for herself and being dependent on her father, only makes Polonius’ death her tragic downfall. Seeing this kind of dependency on Polonius and inability to think for herself, Hamlet only grows frustrated with the women around him. Ophelia’s whole education of worldly matters is based upon Polonius’ and Laertes’ judgments. Ophelia has no opportunity to create an independent conscience of her own because she is muffled by the male presence around her, which hinder her development and leaves her dependent on them. Shakespeare’s most tragic character is undoubtedly Ophelia for her disheartening insanity and inability to defend herself when Hamlet strikes her. Hamlet, in his rage against women, disgustingly states, “I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another. You jig and amble, and you lisp; you nickname God’s creatures and make your wantonness your ignorance. …To a nunnery, go.” (III.I.154-160). Hamlet continues to spew fumes because of Gertrude’s false love for his father and the fact she chose another suitor to the throne so quickly. Hamlet attacks Ophelia with the fact that all women are ignorant and cannot obey God’s rules. Ophelia, in her line of defense, is not equipped to handle this situation because of her inexperience and lack of knowledge. Hamlet’s misogyny grows because of Gertrude’s dependency on Claudius can be seen in Ophelia’s dependency on her father to provide her with knowledge. Hamlet is able to look at the women in his life and they seem to fit into three distinct categories, wife, widow and whore. Hamlet becomes dissatisfied when the women show signs of weakness such as Gertrude’s quick marriage to Claudius because of her sexual dependency and her inability to handle her estate. Hamlet sees that Ophelia is Polonius’ puppet and he can do whatever he pleases with her, this act only fuels Hamlet’s misogyny that disgusts him even more. Hamlet is so disgusted with women he wishes that there be no more marriages because they are weak, infantile and ignorant creatures. Hamlet’s disgust in Gertrude’s and Ophelia’s dependency on the males in their lives gives his misogynistic ideals the water it needs to take root.