Frailty, thy name is woman.

In a male dominated society, whether dating back to the Shakespearean era, or regarding the contemporary
times of society today, women have been undermined, underappreciated, and placed under impossible standards too
difficult for the average woman to uphold or maintain. These standards, and expectations go further than any placed
on men during throughout history and have produced excessively negative effects. This is very apparent in William
Shakespeares work Hamlet through the use of Ophelia as a character who experiences these trials as a women
coming of age. The portrayal of Ophelia in Hamlet analyzed in a feminist perspective concludes that Ophelia suffers
under the societal standards placed upon her by the patriarchy of her time period. Ophelia and Gertrude continue the
history of long endured sexism by their internalized misogyny in regards to their worldviews, and how they believe
they should act due to the sexist belief of their peers and family members. This characterization of Ophelia is made
relative through portrayals of her in Hamlet such as Shakespeare's portrayal of her as being weak, reliant on the men
in her life to make her decisions, and useful only in terms of meeting mans necessities and desires. Since Ophelia is
presented in this manner, and portrayed so specifically by Shakespeare as dehumanized and lowly, a feminist
perspective could argue that Ophelia is facing a severe oppression by this sexism that eventually murders her soul,
her mind, and her body as a woman in an era of impossible societal standards to conform to.

There is a specific tone in relation to the way Ophelia is, according to other characters of the play, that can
be comparable to the way Hamlet himself is perceived based solely on their gender and status because of sex. When
Hamlet pretends to be mad and acts in insane manners, he is presented with options, and talked about with care and
concern. His madness is attributed to his sickness in love and lust. This is defined as passionate. Hamlet is regarded
as important, noble, and cherished, while Ophelia in her sanity is treated like a whore who does not even deserve a
Christian burial. Hamlets madness is understood while Ophelias madness is acknowledged as an effect of her
fathers death and is not understood or considered to be anything farther-such as the way Hamlet had treated her or
the many expectations she was forced to live up to. Lines such as Conceit upon her father. (Act 4, Scene 5, Line
45, Page 111) and O, this is the poison of deep grief: it springs all from her fathers death. (Act 4, Scene 5, Lines
74-75, Page 113) display the acknowledgement of her insanity due to her fathers death, but it is never mentioned by
anyone that Hamlet may have caused a few disruptions in her mental state even though she directly sings about her
pain about the matter Quoth she, Before you tumbled me, you promisd me to wed. So would I a done, by yonder
sun, and thou hadst not come to my bed. (Act 4, Scene 5, Lines 62-66, Page 113) The tone surrounding Ophelia and
her madness compared to Hamlets is much weaker, being said that She is importunate, indeed distract. Her mood
will needs be pitied. (Act 4, Scene 5, Lines 2-3, Page 109) compared to the tone surrounding Hamlet and his said

madness as Was not like madness. Theres something in his soul oer which his melancholy sits on brood. (Act 3,
Scene 1, Lines 164-165, Page 71). The comparison is astounding especially because Hamlet is acting out more
violently and intensely than Ophelia ever did but is being cared for more while Gertrude firstly refused to witness
Ophelias state. Even while Hamlet says destructive, abusive, double standard words to Ophelia that her father
witnesses first hand, the concern still lies with Hamlets well being instead of hers after such a emotionally draining
experience. Ophelia and Hamlets madnesses, although Hamlets is not of true nature are weighed severely
differently, possibly on completely different spectrums just because of their difference in gender. This sexism and
misogyny within this piece of literature drives Ophelia, an important female character to such ailment that it heavily
affects her mind. Her fathers death was not the only tragedy her heart experienced, it was also the death of her
ability to display emotions rightfully so.

Ophelia is portrayed to have an inability to exist without the help of some male figure, they are always
making her decisions, like whom she should love, how she should act, what morals she should possess.. These
expectations do not allow for success, these incredible expectations placed onto her by Polonius, Hamlet, and
Laertes are much too excessive and so difficult to maintain that Ophelia has trouble remaining in a healthy state of
mind let alone, following these ridiculous societal requests. Laertes and Polonius both have the same goal for
Ophelia, to remain a pure white virgin, to be the embodiment of innocence. It is very aggressively shown through
Laertes and Polonius that they believe she absolutely requires the attention, and the guidance because during
Laertes speech, he is already chastising her for having the ability to lose her innocence whether he knows she has or
not, she is already being shamed for being susceptible. Lines like; Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain if
with too credent ear you list his songs, or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open to his unmasterd
importunity. (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 29-31, Page 20) and Youth to itself rebels, though none else near. (Act 1, Scene
3, Line 44, Page 21) shows how Laertes treats Ophelia as if it would be her fault Hamlet took on lustful actions. When
Ophelia tries to reciprocate her concern for her brothers well being in his travels, he quickly brushes it off not
considering her words since it is portrayed that Ophelia needed that guidance through her womanship, while Laertes
was wise enough already to have obtained such information. Polonius has the same expectations placed for
Ophelia, to remain innocent through and through. He is much harsher about it in tone though, shaming her to his full
extent. And that in the way of caution-I must tell you, you do not understand yourself so clearly as it behoves my
daughter and your honour. (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 95-98, Page 22) and Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby
that you have taen these tenders for true pay which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly or-not to crack the
wind of the poor phrase, running it thus-youll tender me a fool. (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 105-109, Page 23) These
lines signify that Polonius has great expectations for her that he does not believe she is smart enough to understand

and is fearful that she might spoil his reputation, her feelings are not considered. Hamlet has the most contradictory
desires, because he requests Lady, shall I lie in your lap? (Act 3, Scene 3, Line 108, Page 77) or I mean your head
upon your lap. (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 110, Page 77) as well as stating Thats a fair thought to lie between maids
legs. (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 114, Page 78) Hamlet still makes sexual advances towards Ophelia but also shames her
for her acceptance. By telling her to get thee to a nunnery. (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 121, Page 69) While she is
expected to remain a virgin she is also expected by other men to participate in promiscuity. Ophelia could not regain
control of her emotional state since the shame she received as an innocent virgin as well as the shame she received
for being lustful was too difficult to deal with and the pressure society forced upon her also forced her to rid her of her
own sanity.
Ophelia is lastly, portrayed as useless unless it is in regards to men she is servicing. She is only as good as
the things she does for men. Things such as Polonius's reputation, tracking Hamlet, and Sex. Polonius does not
concern himself with the feelings of his daughter, but only by her actions that may condemn him in the eyes of the
public. He addresses this heavily in their discussion repeatedly, asking her to not tender him a fool (Act 1, Scene 3,
Line 109, Page 23) and asking her to be careful of his reputation and honour, because her portrayal as innocent to
the world is the only use he has for her. She is also useful in sex, she has given herself to Hamlet out of lust, and
although he has loved her before, he makes it clear to her in light of new situations and because he is in pain that
because she has given herself to him, she is now impure and useless to him. That even if she should marry she
should marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go-and quickly
too. (Act 3, Scene 1, Lines 138-140, Page 71) Hamlet mentions that without her virginity she will be undesired, and
that now she is good for nothing. Tricking Hamlet is another trial she is used for, despite the awful things said to her
by Hamlet, the focus of the entire audience involved in the plan is on Hamlets mental well being although Ophelia
has just encountered a shaming that would bring anyone to emotional unrest. Even Ophelia herself ignores the pain
those words have caused her, and puts her energy into hoping Hamlet turns out okay once again. It is even pushed
as far as Ophelia only being useful at the hands of men in her death as well. The argument between Laertes and
Hamlet about whom cared for the beautiful Ophelia most is only brought up to prove a point during ill thoughts of
each other-not ever actually being relevant to poor Ophelia, whose grave they wrestle in. Ophelia is portrayed in
Hamlet as useful only at the hands of a man, for whatever desire they may express, but only useful in that act. This
portrayal makes a statement about the belief of society that women were only made to service men and cannot
indeed have their own goals, desires, or dreams. Since Ophelia is so heavily taken advantage of, she becomes
restless and emotionally unfit, after doing all she can, and despite others shaming, she does her best but still
manages to fail in the eyes of everyone she surrounds herself with.

The treatment of women has been relative to women everywhere throughout time, the oppression has been
known to have negative effects, and limit womens ability to live happy successful lives without constant shaming
from other people. In Shakespeares Hamlet, the way Ophelia is portrayed shows this recurring struggle. The
recurring struggle of misogyny, the effects of the patriarchy, and sexism so deeply embedded in the society of this
era, depicts how women were treated, viewed as, and the negative effects that followed a life of oppression. When
women are treated in degrading fashions they are often viewed as weak or pathetic, and less important, they are
considered too naive and unable to make their own decisions, unable to chose a life to lead, as well as their worth
being measured by how well, or how often they meet mens necessities and desires. When women are regarded in
this manner, it leads to negative self worth, complicated emotional and mental well being, and complete
dehumanization of their identity. Ophelia shows first hand the effects of sexism in society, dating back to
Shakespearean era and continuing on in a modern society today. The understanding of the mistreatment of women
starts with the understanding of how Ophelia, as a woman was effected by the social standards and societal
expectations of a male dominated world.

ID NUMBER: 120877
WORKS CITED: William Shakespeares Hamlet, Oxford School Shakespeare, Oxford University Press edition. *Note,
page numbers embedded within the essay are relevant only if reading from this version of the play.