answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Hamlet's varying disposition toward his mother tells us a lot about Hamlet but not a lot about women. Yes, he says "Frailty, thy name is woman!" but that's just Hamlet being steamed off by his mother's remarriage. We shouldn't conclude as a result that Shakespeare thought that women were frail. On the contrary.

If you want to get an idea of what Shakespeare thought about women, you are better advised to look at what they do, rather than what the men around them think of them. Othello may have been persuaded that Desdemona is immoral and incapable of monogamy, but we know that on the contrary she is incredibly faithful to him, even when he mistreats her. Ford may have been jealous of Mrs. Ford, but she and Mrs. Page are both levelheaded and morally true, although mischievous.

If you look at Gertrude through Hamlet's eyes you may see a monster, but if you look at what she does, she is not a bad person. She genuinely cares for Claudius (as he does for her), and married him in good faith, not knowing what he did to get her. She also genuinely cares for Hamlet, and is interested in his well-being. She does not betray him to Claudius (although Claudius has figured out what is going on) and although it is not clear, she may also have agreed to Hamlet's suggestion to stop having sex with Claudius. (Some have said that this is why he says, "Oh, Gertrude, Gertrude, when sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions"--the first sorrow is that their love life has tapered off). A further example of her kind and loving nature is her treatment of Ophelia. At the same time she feels guilt (that spills itself in fearing to be spilt), although it is not clear why.

That will tell you much more about what Shakespeare might think about women than everything that Hamlet says.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is Shakespeare suggesting about women through Hamlet's disposition towards his mother overall?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Performing Arts

How does Shakespeare use personification to signal the turning of the plot form romance to tradgey?

shakespeare uses act 2 scene 3 to change the overall mood from two lovers story to two lovers who are going to die.Also read the prologue to understand what i mean.


How long ago did Shakespeare live?

AnswerWilliam Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon in April 1564.By 1592, he had moved to London to become the great actor, poet and playwright.In 1613 he retired and moved back to Stratford, where he died in 1616.


What does it mean point of attack in theatre?

The point in the overall story where the play begins.IE. In Oedipus Rex, the Point of Attack is near the end of the overall story, where in Hamlet it is near the beginning of the Overall story.


Why The Merchant of Venice a comedy?

It is considered a comedy because in Shakespeare's time, "comedy" did not mean what it does today; it meant a situation which ends well for the main characters (i.e., nobody good dies). In addition, it usually ends with marriage between the characters, and the tone may be lighter overall. So while there may not be outright "funny" lines or plots, the play is a "feel good" play for the day.


What is a tragicomedy in theater?

A theatrical tragedy is generally a play in which one or more of the main characters dies. In many of William Shakespeare's plays, his title characters exhibit a "tragic flaw" a sole characteristic that is what eventually causes their downfall. However, it does not only exist in just Shakespeare, the tragic flaw can be seen in characters from all realms of theatre, from John Proctor in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" or Baron Tuzenbach in Anton Chekhov's "The Three Sisters".

Related questions

What did William Shakespeare do as a career?

William Shakespeare is well-known for his career as a playwright, which was part of his overall career in theatre, where he was also an actor and businessman.


How can the word ''glen'' be used in a sentence?

· Above the hut the valley fans out with short side glens adding their own disposition to the overall scene.


Where does The Simpsons Movie fit in to the series?

It doesn't exactly. There are a few minor references in the series to the movie suggesting it is canon, but overall it's really had nothing to do with the (albeit loose) continuity.


Is Dawn from Pokemon a lesbian?

why do you ask Look at her "rival-friend" Zoey's overall demenor & subtleties slightly suggests (stereotypical) lesbian innuendo. Not sure if you're suggesting if the relationship suggests anything ;)


How does Shakespeare use personification to signal the turning of the plot form romance to tradgey?

shakespeare uses act 2 scene 3 to change the overall mood from two lovers story to two lovers who are going to die.Also read the prologue to understand what i mean.


How can you know that what's going on in anyone's mind?

That is virtually impossible.However,one can attempt to take into consideration other factors that may give an indication as to what is going through ones mind. This could include an individuals overall demeanour and disposition,mood,body language and response. Alternatively,you can ask them!


Was hurrem sultan death horrible?

There are conflicting reports about Hurrem Sultan's cause of death, with some accounts suggesting poisoning or suicide. Overall, her death is considered mysterious and controversial, with some believing she died due to natural causes while others suspect foul play.


Why does shakespeare chose to use apostrophe rather that to have Macbeth describe a menacing dagger?

Shakespeare uses apostrophe in Macbeth's soliloquy about the dagger because it allows for a more dramatic and intense tone. The use of apostrophe, in which Macbeth directly addresses the dagger as if it were a person, heightens the sense of unease and adds to the overall atmosphere of the scene. It also serves to portray Macbeth's growing paranoia and inner turmoil.


Where does carbon that is used in a blast furnace come from?

Coal, distilled in a retort to expel the volatile content and leave the carbon as a spongy-looking solid called "coke".(Strange - there are several versions of this question, suggesting to me poor teaching or text-books that focus only on the chemistry and not the overall process, purpose?and materials.)?


Mill's and kant's emphasis of intentions of an act?

Kant emphasized the importance of good intentions in an act, suggesting that moral actions must be done for the right reasons, or out of a sense of duty. Mill, on the other hand, focused on the consequences of an act, arguing that the ethicality of an action should be based on the overall happiness it brings to people.


What was pip implying about jaggers's personality when he said he seemed to bully his very sandwich as he ate it Great Expectations?

Pip was suggesting that Jaggers was ruthless and dominating in nature, even towards something as insignificant as his sandwich. This observation reflects Jaggers's overall demeanor and suggests that he exerts control and aggression in all aspects of his life.


What is the tone Nick conveys about Tom About the Buchanans' house?

Nick conveys a tone of admiration and awe when describing the Buchanans' house. He describes it as a "cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion" with a "singing" kitchen, suggesting a sense of luxury and comfort. Despite his overall positive tone, there are hints of superficiality and excess in his depiction of the house.