Abstract: Hamlet, a tragedy, is a representative of Shakespeare’s works, so to speak. It is Hamlet that infuses an everlasting freshness to those dramas and plays written by Shakespeare. The image of the protagonist Hamlet has been engraved in people’s heart and mind. However, it has to be admitted that this work is somewhat an epitome of Shakespeare’s patriarchical standpoint which is inevitably forged by that specific age, although a great effort had been paid to mirror the misery of the real life at that time. It was at that time that women were regarded as inferior to men. Besides, it is quite natural that as a man, Shakespeare restrains, debases and even distorts the images of women in his Hamlet. Critically speaking, those female characteristics in Hamlet are deeply marked by the fire of time and to some extent, also express an emotional flow of Shakespeare. This paper analyzes the tragedies of two female figures in Hamlet for the purpose of further unveiling Shakespeare’s perspective towards female.

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Key words: Hamlet; Shakespeare; female, female’s perspective

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Two Female Tragic Roles in Hamlet-2

2.1 Ophelia--- a Woman with no Right to Speak-2

2.2 Gertrud--- a Woman as a Subordinate-5

3. Reasons of Tragic Life of the Two Female Roles-8

3.1 Influence of the Age.-9

3.2 Character Flaws of the Two Female Roles.-11

3.3 Hamlet’s Attitude Towards Two Female Roles.-11

4. Shakespeare's Views on Females-12

4.1 Females Regarded as Subordinates of Men-13

4.2 Shakespeare's Prejudice Against Women -15

5. Conclusion-17

References-19