Role of women in patriarchal society from "summary" of The Masks of Hamlet by Marvin Rosenberg
The patriarchal society in which women live in Shakespeare's time is one that dictates their roles and limits their agency. Women are expected to be obedient and subservient to the male figures in their lives, whether it be their fathers, husbands, or brothers. This expectation is evident in the character of Ophelia, who is constantly told how to behave and what to do by the men around her. Ophelia's father, Polonius, instructs her on how to conduct herself in front of Hamlet, warning her to guard her chastity and to not give in to her emotions. Similarly, Hamlet himself tells Ophelia to go to a nunnery, effectively removing her agency and relegating her to a life of seclusion and obedience. Ophelia's lack of autonomy is further highlighted when she is used as a pawn in the power struggles between the men in her life, ultimately leading to her tragic demise. Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, also exemplifies the limited role of women in a patriarchal society. She is defined by her relationships to the men in her life – first as the wife of King Hamlet, and then as the wife of Claudius. Gertrude's actions are constantly scrutinized by those around her, particularly Hamlet, who sees her marriage to Claudius as a betrayal to his father's memory.- Rather than as individuals with their own desires and agency. The constraints of their gender ultimately lead to their tragic fates, highlighting the oppressive nature of patriarchal society in Shakespeare's time.
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