IS HAMLET MISOGYNISTIC? Yes, it is!

Well, there’s nothing like a little misogyny to complete one of the best-known plays in history!
Yup, Hamlet (the play) is misogynistic.  At times. 

Okay, I’m not saying Hamlet the character is 100% a completely horrible person or anything like that, but he does slip up sometimes.  And so does Shakespeare.  (Although I guess you could argue that he's just showing the views of his time.)

EXHIBIT A:
Act 1 Scene 2 Lines 143-146
“ Why, she would hang on him as if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on; and yet within a month – let me not think on’t – Frailty, thy name is woman…”
Frailty, thy name is woman???  Rude!  Misogyny, thy name is Hamlet!

Okay, I guess Hamlet’s reaction is somewhat forgivable because he’s really just mad at his mom for being “weak.”  But Hamlet COULD have just say, “Frailty thy name is…[insert specific reference to the Queen here].”  Instead he chose to say “woman.”  Hmmm…

EXHIBIT B:

Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 31- 38
“… Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open to his unmaster’d importunity. Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister, and keep you in the rear of your affection out of the shot and danger of desire.”
Thanks, Laertes.  You are such a helpful big bro!  And Ophelia makes sure he knows it, too, by telling him not to be a hypocrite.

EXHIBIT C:
Of course, then there’s also Polonius.  That dude is super rude to his daughter!  As we discussed in class, he basically just acts like she’s naive and stupid.  Tsk, tsk.