Hamlet's Views On Women
Many people have different views on women and how they should be. Sterotyping is common in the real world, but not all opinions are true. Most see women as the innocent ones that cook, clean and take care of the children while the husband works. They never doanything wrong and could be classified as perfect. Hamlet views women way different than society. Only two women, Gertrude and Ophelia, enter into his world, so he used their characteristics as a complete character assessment of all women. Hamlet directs the insult "frailty thy name is women" at Gertrude, and in some ways this remark is justified. Hamlet hasmuch affection towards Ophelia. In the nunnery scene, he starts off by pretending he is mad at her. He acts like he doesn't love her anymore and even insults her. Hamelt makes it seem like he doesn't know what he is going to do yet. If he chooses not to act, he will lose his self-esteem. Whatever happens, he will not be fit for marriage. He will not be able to cope with the responsabilities of marriage. That is the most difficult thing for Hamlet. The whole point of this marraige was for Hamlet to care for Ophelia, and to protect her. Since Hamlet has lost faith in his mother, he loses his faith in Ophelia because she is the other women thathe loves. Hamlet is very insecure about everything and preaches to Ophelia that she can't be both beautiful and honest, because his mother isn't. He sees that she is beautiful, therefor she can't be honest.
Queen Gertrude and Hamlet have a deep conversation about his father. Gertrude accuses Hamlet of offending his father, but Hamlet refuses to take that. He clearly states that she is the one offending his father. Hamlet attempts to put shame on his mother. He convinces her that she does not love his father. Gertrude doesn't want to believe this and begins to get upset. Through all of this, the "ghost" appears. Hamlet can see it but his mother can't, of course.