Overview
This lecture analyzes gender dynamics, agency, and the nature of heroism in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," focusing on the characters of Ophelia, Gertrude, and Hamlet's struggle with action and inaction.
Gender Dynamics in Hamlet
- Hamlet displays hostility toward women, notably Ophelia and Gertrude.
- The power structure in "Hamlet" traditionally places Ophelia and Gertrude as powerless, but the reality is more complex.
- Gender as a lens is an important, though not exclusive, approach to literary analysis.
Ophelia: Agency and Madness
- Ophelia is traditionally depicted as a powerless, tragic heroine.
- Gertrude describes Ophelia's death as accidental, but most see it as suicide caused by madness.
- Ophelia's "madness" includes symbolic acts, like distributing flowers with coded meanings of flattery, infidelity, repentance, and lost faithfulness.
- Through these actions, Ophelia subversively judges those around her and voices her stance on corruption.
- Ophelia ultimately chooses suicide, interpreted by some as her exerting agency.
Gertrude: Power and Ambiguity
- Gertrude's marriage to Claudius angers Hamlet, seen as both personal and political betrayal.
- Gertrude has some power, notably influence over the succession.
- Her loyalty is ambiguous, but in her final moments, she expresses concern for Hamlet.
- Gertrude's defiance, like Ophelia's, leads to her death.
Hamlet: Action vs. Inaction
- Hamlet struggles with indecision about avenging his father's murder.
- His inaction may be due to morality, doubt about the ghost, and the concept of divine right.
- When Hamlet acts, it is only in response to immediate threats.
- Hamlet's delayed action results in the cycle of violence and raises questions about justice and heroism.
- The play emphasizes Hamlet's internal struggle over avenging, more than the act itself.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Oedipus complex — the theory that a child feels desire for their opposite-sex parent and rivalry toward their same-sex parent.
- Agency — the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices.
- Nunnery — in Hamlet, both a convent and a slang for brothel; used as an insult to Ophelia.
- Elizabethan flower symbolism — flowers given symbolic meanings understood by Shakespeare's audience.
- Divine right — the belief that monarchs are appointed by and answerable only to God.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on which character in "Hamlet" is most heroic and why.
- Review the text for scenes where Ophelia and Gertrude display agency.
- Study Hamlet's soliloquies to explore his thoughts on action, justice, and fate.