Read the excerpt from Hamlet, Act III, scene iv. Gertrude: Why, how now, Hamlet! Hamlet: What’s the matter now? Gertrude: Have y
ou forgot me? Hamlet: No, by the rood, not so: You are the queen, your husband’s brother’s wife; And,—would it were not so!—you are my mother. Which is a feminist analysis of these lines?
A) Hamlet defines Gertrude only by her relationship to men.
B) Hamlet uses sharp language to express his emotions.
C) Hamlet is upset with his mother because his father is dead.
D) Hamlet has forgotten how it feels to have a male role model.
The answer is A) Hamlet defines Gertrude only by her relationship to men
Explanation:
In the feminist movement, there is one aspect that is considered as an underestimation of the women, which is defining a woman according to the men that surround her. In this excerpt, it is clear that Hamlet describes Gertrude as a wife and a mother instead of her other qualities. That is why a feminist analysis would be option A.
When the character gets to engrossed in trying to focus on what they want in life, they forget that they have that undeniable right to do whatever they want. They don’t have to stress about meeting a certain standard because they can live a free life.
