Feminism in Shakespeare’s

Hamlet By: Lindsey Dwyer, Michael Stagg,

Amanda Candella, Julie Todd, and Josh Peavler

“Does feminist mean large unpleasant person who’ll shout at you or someone who believes women are human beings? To me it’s the latter so I sign up.”

- Margaret Atwood

Overview

• Basis of study• Brief History

– Waves of Feminism

• Political, social, and cultural aspects• Link with Freudian theories

“Women’s oppressions under male domination rarely, if ever, consists solely in depriving women of political and legal rights, but also extends into the structure of our society and the content of our culture and permeates our consciousness.”

Specific Strains

• French– Language styles– Female body

• American– Examine texts, perspectives, and

relationships– Gynocriticism

• British– Historical based– Criticism of American feminism

Do the Female Characters possess any power?

• “…our sometimes sister, now our Queen…” (1.2.8)– Power in title only– “Chooses” not to speak or use power

• “ (Queen) ‘I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg.’ (Hamlet) ‘I shall in all my best obey you madam.’” (1.2.123-124)– “Mother power”– Respect or love.

How do female characters act toward each other?

• “(Queen) ‘Alas sweet lady, what imports this song?’ (Ophelia) ‘Say you? Nay, pray you. mark.’ (4.5.32-33)– Little exchange of dialogue– Silences when the king enters

• “Sweets to sweet, farewell! I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet’s wife…” (5.1.224-225)– More exchange after death– Bond with Ophelia– Hoped for daughter

Are the female characters oversimplified?

• “…our sometimes sister, now our Queen…” (1.2.8)– Queen status– Hamlet’s mother – Married her husbands brother– No feelings or deep thoughts

• “I hope all will be well. We must be patient…” (4.5.73)– Less simplified character– Inner thoughts and desires

Are the female characters believable?

• Ophelia loves Hamlet and is forced to betray him. She then goes mad after her father’s death.– Emotion and feeling– Betrayal of a lover– Insane with grief

• “O god, a beast…would have mourned longer! Married with my uncle!” (1.2.155)

• “Ho Help!” (3.4.27)– Gertrude’s believability– Lack of emotional attachment– Damsel in distress

What roles to Female characters assume in the play?• Gertrude:

– Queen– Mother– Lack of voice and willingness– Silences for the King

• Ophelia:– Subservient to father– Pawn

• Both are merely possessions

A Game of ChessAct 3 Scene 1

• Lines 1-88– Ophelia speaks once– Does not agree or disagree

• (Ophelia) “How does your honour this many a day” (3.1.90)– Incorrect passage of time?– Nervous or embarrassed

• (Ophelia) “Could Beauty, my lord, have better commerce than with Honesty?” (Hamlet) “Ay, truly. For the power of Beauty will sooner transform Honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of Honesty can translate Beauty into his likeness. This was a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once.” (3.1.107-114)– Beauty and Honesty (chastity)– Ophelia shifting subject– Hamlet redirecting focus– Male personification

A Game of Chess ContinuedAct 3 Scene 1

• (Ophelia) “I was the more deceived” (3.1.119)– Hamlet’s love– Polonius

• (Ophelia) “And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,/That sucked the honey of his musicked vows” (3.1.154)– Listened to Polonius– Unhappy with being pawn– Ophelia’s love

• Branagh Film: Checkered Floor