Women have been perceived differently by different people at different times. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet,consider his representation of women.
English Literature coursework Women have been perceived differently by different people at different times. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet, consider his representation of women. In Hamlet, Shakespeare carefully represents Getrude and Ophelia. Individually, Gertrude is essentially seen as weak and immoral whilst Ophelia is seen as meek and a victim of society. Collectively, they are seen to fulfil a conventional 16th century role, and it is as our beliefs and views of women change that we are able to perceive the characters in a different angle. At the beginning of the play, we get a very biased insight into the character of Gertrude and how those around her perceive her. This is because Hamlet and the ghost of Hamlet are both very biased as they feel a sense of injustice at Gertrude's marriage to Claudius, her brother-in-law. For example, Gertrude is chiefly seen as very uncaring and "unrighteous," as the "incestuous" marriage, according to Hamlet, was carried out with "dexterity" and scarcely a month after King Hamlet's death. This depiction makes the audience form a very strong opinion of Gertrude from the outset. It creates an ominous feeling about Gertrude as the first insight we get into her character is given by people who have been hurt by her in some way. This suggests that she is someone to watch out for and that Gertrude is weak and unable to live without a man who
Why Does Hamlet Delay?
WHY DOES HAMLET DELAY? Is it possible to take reasonable, effective and purposeful action? In Hamlet, the question of how to act is affected not only by logical considerations, such as the need for certainty, but also by emotional, ethical, and psychological factors. This in turn affects how the revenge is carried out. If we view Hamlet as a 'real' person in the context of Elsinore then one of the reasons why Hamlet delays taking revenge on Claudius may be because he needs to test the veracity of the Ghost. The Ghost tells Hamlet of his murder and demands revenge when he says "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" in Act I scene iv. Hamlet's initial reaction is to act quickly, "Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge" (I.4.33-35) whether it may be because he disapproves of Claudius marrying his mother or through a sense of duty and obligation. However by Act II scene i he expresses his feelings of doubt about the Ghost: "the spirit I may have seen may be a devil". This concern leads to Hamlet adopting his 'antic disposition' and using the players in 'The Mousetrap' to confirm Claudius' guilt. Therefore only in Act III scene ii is Hamlet convinced and comments to Horatio "I'll take the Ghost's word for a thousand pound". While a modern audience might find Hamlet's motivation for this
