Hamlet coursework Essay Example

Additionally, it could be a display of power to assert his dominance in the conversation. Despite holding a knife, he aims it towards the curtain, unintentionally killing Polonius, who is the father of his loved one. As Hamlet becomes more aggressive and violent, it reveals the level of respect he has for his mother. He not only portrays dominance but also victimizes her. Throughout the scene, Gertrude tries to defend herself and prove her innocence, but Hamlet insults her, leaving her speechless and unable to defend herself.In their conversation, Gertrude questions why Hamlet is speaking so rudely against her and accuses her of wrongdoing. Hamlet responds by accusing her of breaking his father's marriage through adultery and sexual desires, without giving her a chance to explain herself. He portrays her as a desperate woman who lacks self-respect and independent thinking. This kind of judgment towards women was common during Shakespeare's time. Hamlet stereotypes her based on her age and accuses her of being in a false marriage with his father's brother. Shakespeare explores the complex relationship between a mother and son, and the societal expectations placed on men and women in the 12th century. As Hamlet continues to accuse Gertrude, he starts to provoke her conscience and make her feel guilty for the incestuous relationship she engaged in. He even pretends that the Ghost is present in the room to further unsettle her. Through his madness, Hamlet tries to convince Gertrude that she is not at fault, but rather he himself is unwell. At every point in their conversation, Gertrude is reminded of the inappropriate relationship she had with her own son, which undermines her

self-worth.Shakespeare utilizes strong language to highlight the conflict between a mother and her son. Despite Hamlet's hurtful insults towards his mother, she maintains control over her words, revealing the power women possess. This perception of his mother reflects Hamlet's negative view of women as a whole, considering them deceitful. The scene at the nunnery demonstrates the typical dynamic between men and women during that time period, with Hamlet dominating Ophelia. Despite enduring insults from a mentally disturbed Hamlet, Ophelia continues to love him and accept him unconditionally. Through her silence and submissive behavior, Ophelia embodies traditional feminine weakness. Hamlet uses the phrase "Go to thee nunnery" to mock Ophelia, suggesting that she is innocent and will be corrupted by men. By employing such harsh language, he aims to inflict suffering upon her. However, deep down, Hamlet recognizes that Ophelia's love for him remains steadfast, regardless of the reasons causing their separation. Ultimately, true love will always prevail.Another reason for the drift between Hamlet and Ophelia could be his cruel treatment towards her. In this scene, Hamlet challenges Ophelia's innocence and suggests that she will corrupt someone. He mocks every sentence she speaks, consumed by his own anger. This leads to Ophelia feeling pressured by both her love for Hamlet and her father. This highlights the extent of Hamlet's cruelty towards Ophelia and Gertrude in the nunnery and closet scenes. He dominates both women, even accusing his mother of incest due to her uncontrolled sexual desires. Ophelia, too, becomes a victim of Hamlet's domination and madness. The impact of Hamlet's cruelty is evident in Ophelia's suffering, as she is accused of betraying him for her own

sexual desires. Despite this, she still has faith in him. The murder of Ophelia's father further destabilizes her mental state, leading to her suicide.If Hamlet had not been driven by madness and the need for revenge, he may have still had a chance with Ophelia if she had been treated with more respect. This shows the overall impact of the treatment of women as victims during Shakespeare's time. Cruelty can be defined as causing pain or suffering. Hamlet intentionally caused pain and suffering to both his girlfriend and mother through his harsh language. His main goal was to cause pain and suffering for Gertrude, who he disliked for marrying his uncle. He insulted his mother throughout the scene, even interrupting it with an unexpected attack on Polonius. Despite this, Hamlet was determined to pursue Gertrude's conscience. He reminded her that their relationship was incestuous, which was considered a violation of Catholic Church rules during Shakespeare's era. Catholicism dominated in the 12th century, and the Church had strict rules against incest. Committing incest would result in being accused of adultery and publicly humiliated. Women in Elizabethan times were subordinated to men, with their lives controlled by them.Therefore, the value of a woman who became a widow would be diminished. During this stage of her life, she would not be able to be independent or have any rights until she was remarried. Prior to marriage, a woman's life would be controlled by her father, and once married, it would be controlled by her husband. Women lacked power and were under the authority of men. This explains why Ophelia had to obey her father, Polonius, and do as

he said, as she had no choice given the societal norms of that time. It is possible that what Hamlet truly desired from Ophelia was for her to forget their love and move on, considering that their future together may have been bleak. In his own circumstances, Hamlet devoted all his attention to seeking revenge and wanted to distance himself from Claudius. Gertrude, on the other hand, had to marry the king in order to maintain her position within the royal family and regain the status she had lost due to King Hamlet's death.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
"HAMLET PRINCE OF DENMARK" Edited by Philip Edwards
"HAMLET" York Notes Cambridge Student Guide Rex Gibson
Class Notes on Hamlet-English Literature
Oxford Dictionary