Ophelia About Hamlets Intentions example essay topic

Gendered Readings often uncover meanings very different from the one intended. Through the representation of men and women, what issues are fore-grounded in Hamlet? Arguably the best piece of literature in European history, Hamlet was written in the 17th century by British playwright William Shakespeare. Hamlet is one of the foremost Elizabethan tragedies, and possesses many of the elements of an Aristotelian revenge tragedy. However, a gendered reading of the play uncovers such issues as gender relations and constructions of human authority, the conveying of which Shakespeare had no intention. Characters are also shaped to conform to external demands, and meet the expectations set upon them.

The play provides simultaneous themes of revenge and gender conflict. This conflict and contrast between genders is epitomized by the characters' power as well as their lack of choices. Hamlet can be categorized as an Aristotelian tragedy as it arouses such emotions as empathy and trepidation within the audience. Aristotle defines tragedy as being. ".. presented in the form of action, not narration; by means of pity and fear bringing about the purgation of such emotion". The themes of revenge and tragedy were very conventional in 17th century English plays, and these themes were the ones intended when the play was written. Rarely seen were plays that depicted the lives of ordinary citizens, as they were generally concerned with royalty and nobility.

In an Aristotelian tragedy the protagonist must be of noble blood, as it provides the story with dignity. "You are the most immediate to our throne". Being so, the audience feels that if tragedy can happen to the privileged, it could fall upon them also. A fundamental characteristic of an Aristotelian tragedy is that the hero has a tragic flaw, and that flaw is the cause of his downfall. Hamlet's flaw is his misjudgment and his hesitation. For instance, he has the chance to kill his uncle whilst he is praying, and thus he would have avenged his father.

However, he hesitates, and doing so causes his eventual destruction. This also leads to another Aristotelian trait: the ironic change of fortune. "I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious". Hamlet, being in search of happiness and justice brings about his own downfall, as do most males that seek power and sovereignty. Upon writing Hamlet, Shakespeare was merely creating a revenge tragedy, using a variety of artistic techniques in order to evoke emotions such as fear and pity from the audience.

A gendered reading of Hamlet, however, invites us to rethink the assumption that it is merely a revenge tragedy. For instance, a masculinist reading of the play uncovers the link between each male character and the need for him to gain power. Possibly the most power-hungry character is Claudius, who performs the act of murder in order to gain his crown and wife. "I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder, My crown, mine own ambition and my Queen". The majority of male characters seek power, whether it be filial power or royalty. Both Laertes and Polonius attempt to control Ophelia, - Laertes' cautioning of Ophelia about Hamlets intentions, Polonius' directing of Ophelia to withdraw from his affections - and they both hold themselves superior to her, and impose their opinions upon her.

"Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, And keep within the rear if your affection, Out of the shot and danger of desire". Although Hamlet is set in a society of patriarchal control, males are also bound by society's limitations and expectations. "Good Hamlet, cast thy knighted colour off". Hamlet is a male bound by patriarchal laws, and cannot publicly mourn". 'Tis unmanly grief".

Hamlet is also forbidden to marry whomever he chooses. Ironically, it his class and gender that instigates this lack of freedom. There are also many expectations of males, the fact that they must do the "manly" thing, take the "manly" approach. Fortinbras is a man of action; as Fortinbras' father's land was stolen, he goes to great lengths to get it back. It is what is expected of him, he takes the masculine attitude of fighting for land. "For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune; I have some rights of memory in this kingdom, which now to claim my vantage doth invite me".

Males should possess qualities such as bravery, action, courage and strength. Hamlet is placed in a situation where being born to privilege brings with it specific obligations. "O curse spite that ever I was born to set it right". It was tradition during those times that the murder of a King must be avenged. Hamlet, however, differs from Fortinbras when it comes to avenge ment, as he presents ambivalence of his intention. "Am I revenged, To take him in the purging of his soul...

? No". By waiting for the right moment, Hamlet forgoes his chance to achieve revenge. He conveys a disposition of femininity as well as masculinity, and even scolds himself for doing so.

A feminist reading of the play uncovers such gender issues as the roles and treatment of women in the 17th century. There are but two female characters in Hamlet, Ophelia and Gertrude, the Queen. It can be assumed that Gertrude married Claudius in order to maintain the power she had, as being Queen. However, Gertrude is still submissive to Claudius. "I will obey you". Ophelia, too, has expectations set upon her.

She must obey her father and brother, and she does so. "I shall obey, my lord". Her actions at the beginning of the play are acquiescent and subservient, as she allows her life to be governed by patriarchal convention. The females in Hamlet, however, rebel against the domineering gender. For instance, Gertrude marriage to Claudius was unlawful, and incestuous by 17th century's standards. "O God!

A beast that wants discourse of reason / Would have mourned longer". A modern reading of the play, however, does not find it so, due to society's changing attitudes towards remarriage and incest. Due to Hamlet's influences, Gertrude breaks free from the domineering clutches of Claudius, by refusing to sleep with him, and by drinking from the poisoned cup in the final scene of the play. "I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me". Modern audiences notice, however, the limitations of Ophelia. When she tries to speak her heart, her father insults her, and dismisses what she has to say.

After her father's death, and during her madness, she has the ability of communication with which she conveys her thoughts. Her songs, appearing to make no sense, actually do tell her story, and represent the oppression of women in 17th century society. Our 21st century views on the play Hamlet differ from those intended whilst the play was being written. Because of our differing social context, modern audience may focus upon gender representation and issues of supremacy as opposed to viewing it as an Aristotelian revenge tragedy. Masculine and feminine readings of the play can foreground topics such as the gender pressure of society, and expectations and limitations that both genders must face.

Hamlet, written by Shakespeare, is a play that allows concurrent views on different social attitudes.