Hamlet through the Feminist Critical Lens

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Ophelia, she exhumes more depth than many of the other characters that have a more predominant role in the play. From the beginning Ophelia's lack of independence and freedom was expressed when Polonius dispatches his son to university to learn through his errors how to be true to himself, and thus to others, while his daughter Ophelia must not depend on on her own judgment. Her conviction of Hamlet's sincerity arouses disapproval in her father, Polonius. This can be seen when Polonius says, "Affection? pooh! you speak like a green girl/ Unsifted in such perilous circumstance," (1.3.101-102). Instead of Ophelia leaving for school, her education is geared into relying on other people's judgement, and to place chastity and reputation above the virtue of truthfulness. Ophelia is given no chance to develop an independent conscience of her own, because she has been so stifled by the authority of the male world. The women's social position in the play is simply powerless. Ophelia, as well ...

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