Role of women Flashcards
Claudius referring to Gertrude marrying him for the good of the state
“the imperial jointress to this war like state”
Shakespeare show fickleness of women- hamlet express his disdain towards Gertrude
“To post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets”
Claudius confirms affair with Gertrude while Old Hamlet was still alive
–also expresses Hamlets and Shakespeare’s misogyny
“Won by lustful sin, the heart of my most seeming virtuous queen”
Women are characterised in a one dimensional manner- can’t live without men and they need them
Gertrude’s “o’er hasty marriage” to Claudius
Laertes describes Ophelia
“A sweet sister and a kind maid”
Obedient daughter, polonius tells her not to speak to H, inexperience and inability to defend herself is evident - Ophelia
“I shall obey my lord”
Ophelia possesses no strength of character to stand her ground, instead she plays a passive and obedient role
“Get thee to a nunnery, whey woulds’t thou be a breeder of sinners”
Ophelia’s death highlights the frailty of women and portrays the poignancy of her death
“Sweets for the sweet” as Gertrude places flowers on Ophelia’s coffin
