Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet" is often described as an elaborate, dramatic presentation of modern subjectivity and confronts its reader with gender issues. As far as the gender issues in Hamlet are concerned, the following question arises: which feminist’s approach should be applied to analyse Hamlet’s character and to demonstrate in how far the historical background influences the gender constellations in "Hamlet"?
Therefore, it is important to give a historical background of social structures and social roles during the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. Elizabethans lived in a time, in which patriarchy was part of their lives. Women were obligated to follow the rules of men. First, it is inevitable to label the categories ‘masculinity’ and ‘femininity’ in connection with cruelty and domination. However, it is difficult to define what is associated with ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ characteristics and to position these categories in a patriarchal system without developing clichés. To which extent, for instance is Hamlet allowed to grieve deeply for his father and why does Hamlet act misogynously towards women he loves? Obviously, along with the gender distinctions go different functional roles thus, examining the representation of gender roles in Hamlet in connection with social roles will play a dominant role in this paper.
This term paper will first address the early modern society to outline the hierarchical system in the Elizabethan World View. After a brief presentation of the Elizabethan World View, patriarchal structures in the early modern England will be illustrated since the cultural context describes the beliefs of Shakespeare’s time and provides the basis for the analysis of gender roles in "Hamlet".
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Early Modern Society, Patriarchy and Gender
- Patriarchal Structures in the Early Modern England
- Gender Concepts
- The Representation of Femininity in Shakespeare's Hamlet
- The Representation of Misogyny and Male Domination in Hamlet
- Hamlet's own Gender
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the representation of gender roles in Shakespeare's Hamlet within its historical context. It investigates how the patriarchal structures of early modern England influenced the portrayal of masculinity and femininity in the play. The analysis will focus on how these structures shaped the characters' actions and relationships, particularly those of Hamlet and Ophelia.
- Patriarchal structures in early modern England
- Gender concepts and their representation in Hamlet
- The portrayal of masculinity and femininity in Hamlet
- The influence of historical context on gender roles in the play
- Analysis of Hamlet and Ophelia's characters through a feminist lens
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central question of the paper: how can feminist approaches be used to analyze Hamlet's character and demonstrate the influence of historical background on the gender dynamics in the play. It highlights the play's complexity and its relevance to contemporary discussions of gender. The chapter also briefly outlines the paper's structure, foreshadowing its exploration of early modern society, patriarchal structures, gender concepts, and Hamlet's own gender identity. The quote from Hamlet, "What is a man," serves as a starting point for exploring Hamlet's identity crisis and his complex relationship with gender roles.
The Early Modern Society, Patriarchy and Gender: This chapter provides the historical context for understanding gender roles in Shakespeare's Hamlet. It explores the Elizabethan worldview and its hierarchical structure, known as the "Great Chain of Being," where societal positions were rigidly defined. The chapter discusses the concept of patriarchy, its religious and societal underpinnings in early modern England, and its influence on gender relations. It explains how women's roles were constrained by societal expectations and religious beliefs, reinforcing their subordinate position in society. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the gender dynamics within the play by detailing the prevailing social and cultural norms.
The Representation of Femininity in Shakespeare's Hamlet: This chapter delves into the specific representation of femininity within Hamlet, examining the portrayal of misogyny and male dominance in the play. It likely analyses the treatment of female characters such as Ophelia, considering her position within the patriarchal society and her relationship with Hamlet. The chapter will also probably investigate the various ways femininity is depicted and deconstructed in the play, potentially exploring the complexities and contradictions of the female characters and their actions. The chapter will examine how these representations reflect and challenge the societal norms of early modern England.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Hamlet, Patriarchy, Gender Roles, Early Modern England, Elizabethan Era, Feminism, Misogyny, Masculinity, Femininity, Ophelia, Power Structures, Social Hierarchy, Gender Studies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Gender Roles in Shakespeare's Hamlet
What is the overall topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the representation of gender roles in Shakespeare's Hamlet, examining how the patriarchal structures of early modern England influenced the portrayal of masculinity and femininity within the play. The analysis focuses on the characters' actions and relationships, particularly Hamlet and Ophelia, viewed through a feminist lens.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include patriarchal structures in early modern England, gender concepts and their representation in Hamlet, the portrayal of masculinity and femininity, the influence of historical context on gender roles, and an analysis of Hamlet and Ophelia's characters through a feminist perspective.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a chapter on early modern society, patriarchy, and gender, a chapter focusing on the representation of femininity in Hamlet, and a conclusion. The introduction establishes the central research question and outlines the paper's structure. The second chapter provides historical context. The third chapter delves into the portrayal of femininity and misogyny in the play.
What historical context is considered in the analysis?
The paper analyzes Hamlet within its historical context of early modern England, exploring the Elizabethan worldview, the "Great Chain of Being," and the societal and religious underpinnings of patriarchy. It examines how women's roles were constrained by societal expectations and religious beliefs.
How does the paper approach the analysis of gender roles?
The paper employs a feminist approach to analyze the characters and their interactions, demonstrating the influence of historical background on the gender dynamics within the play. It examines how patriarchal structures shaped the characters' actions and relationships.
Which characters are central to the analysis?
The analysis focuses primarily on Hamlet and Ophelia, exploring their characters and relationships through the lens of early modern patriarchal structures and feminist theory.
What are the key questions the paper seeks to answer?
The central question is how feminist approaches can be used to analyze Hamlet's character and demonstrate the influence of historical background on the gender dynamics in the play. Related questions explore the representation of misogyny and male dominance, the portrayal of femininity, and the complexities of gender identity in the context of early modern England.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include Shakespeare, Hamlet, Patriarchy, Gender Roles, Early Modern England, Elizabethan Era, Feminism, Misogyny, Masculinity, Femininity, Ophelia, Power Structures, Social Hierarchy, and Gender Studies.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries provided?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content and arguments presented in each section of the paper, allowing readers to quickly grasp the main points and their relationship to the overall thesis.
What is the significance of the quote "What is a man"?
The quote "What is a man," from Hamlet, serves as a starting point for exploring Hamlet's identity crisis and his complex relationship with gender roles within the patriarchal context of the play.
- Quote paper
- Katrin Miel (Author), 2015, The Representation of Femininty in Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/322917
