Hamlet from a Feminist Perspective Essay -- Literary Analysis, Shakesp

Shakespeares crossroads, shows strong prejudice against woman especially with such quotations of Ophelia and Gertrude. Shakespeare created an interesting character with Gertrude he created a character that sits in the middle of all the contradict and appears to not partake in much of it. However Gertrude does seem design in defusing it at every possible chance she receives. Gertrude is a central figure in the play. She appears a great deal provided doesnt say much implying mystery and creating an interesting uncertainty in the audience. hamlet spends a lot of time dwelling on her wedding party to Claudius and Shakespeare leaves many questions unanswered with Gertrude such as did she have an affair with Claudius pot old hamlets back? Why does she drink the poi watchworded wine that is intended for her son? Does she know it is poisoned? Gertrude is the mother of Hamlet and although they do not have a typical mother son relationship she does love him. Queen Gertrude is very mu ch interpreted by many as an adulterate, incestuous woman. Catherine Belsey states that typical interpretations of Hamlet maintain Gertrude a slut and Shakespeare a patriarchal bard (Belsey,199734). Gertrudes actions throughout the play could be read to show her to be a very passive character, far from a strong independent woman. This is shown with her bow to Claudius, three times during the play, Gertrude is told to leave and each times she complies without hesitation. In sour 1, paroxysm 2 Claudius says to Gertrude, Madam, come (122). Then again, Act 3, scene 1, Claudius says to her, mellifluous Gertrude, leave us . (28), she complies with I shall obey you (37). And finally, in Act 4, scene 1, Claudius say, O Gertrude, come away (28). This obedience that Gertrude ... ...anchester Manchester University Press. 116-133.Belsey, Catherine. Feminism and Beyond. Shakespeare Studies 25 (1997) 32 - 41Ekici, Sara (2009). womens liberationist Criticism Female Characters in Shakespeare s Plays Othello and Hamlet. Munich GRIN Publishing.Heilbrun, Carolyn G. (2002). Hamlets sustain and Other Women. 2nd ed. West Sussex Columbia University Press.Loberg, Harmonie. Queen Gertrude Monarch, Mother, Murderer. Atenea 24.1 (June 2004) 59-71Ouditt, Sharon. Explaining Womans Frailty Feminist Readings of Gertrude. Hamlet. Ed. Peter J. Smith and Nigel Wood. Theory in Practice. Buckingham Open UP, 1996. 83-107.Pearson, Patricia. When She Was Bad raving mad Women and the Myth of Innocence. New York Viking, 1997Uno, Yoshiko. Three Gertrudes Text and Subtext. Hamlet and Japan. Ed. Yoshiko Uno. Hamlet Collection 2. New York AMS, 1995. 155-68