This document discusses feminism and its application to Shakespeare's Hamlet from a feminist perspective. It provides background on feminism, defining it as the belief that women deserve equal rights and opportunities to men. It then discusses the origins of the word "feminism" and the status of women during Shakespearean times, when they had few rights and were often treated as objects. The document analyzes the two main female characters in Hamlet - Gertrude and Ophelia - finding that both conform to stereotypical roles of the time as dependent on and defined by the men in their lives. It concludes that the female roles in Hamlet reflect the limited roles and perspectives of women in Shakespeare's era.

1. Paper no.1-the renaissance literature
topic-Feminist Approach In Hamlet
Prepared by:Bhavneshkumar Mahyavanshi
Pg.Reg.No-2069108420190025
Submitted to:S.B Gardi Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar
University

3. Feminism & Feminist
 Feminism
◦ The belief that women
should be allowed the
Same rights, power and
Opportunities as men and
be treated in the same way
or the set of activities
intended to achieve this
state.
 Feminist
◦ A Person who believes in
feminism and tries to
achieve change that
helps women to get
equal opportunities.

4. Who created the Word Feminism
?
 Charles Fourier, a Utopian Socialist and
French Philosopher is credited with having
coined the word “Feminism” in 1837.

5. Women in Shakespearean
time
 During the time of Shakespeare,
mostly authors were only men, their
voices were based on male
perspective.
 In the Shakespearean time, women
were treated as a sex object.
 The Female Characters seemed less
developed than the Male Characters.

6. Women in Hamlet
 Two Female Characters
◦ Gertrude-The Queen
◦ Ophelia-Daughter of Polonius

7. Gertrude
 Loyal to The King Claudius
 She Loved her Son
 Loved Luxurious life
 Full of Fault’s ,Pride and Lust
 Dependent on Men
 Drink Poisoned

8. Ophelia
 Beautiful, faithful and obedient
 Innocent girl
 Dependent on male characters
 Full of goodness
 She died drowning in the river amid
garlands

9. Conclusion
 Women in this Play
◦ Weak
◦ Sex object for men
◦ Dependent on men
◦ Limited Roles

10. FEMINISM