"Frailty thy name is woman"

In his "Frailty, thy name is woman" speech, Hamlet expresses his disgust and disappointment with both his mother, Gertrude, and Ophelia. He sees both women as being weak and easily manipulated. Gertrude Hamlet accuses Gertrude of being "frail" and "adulterous" for marrying Claudius so soon after the death of Hamlet's father. He believes that she has betrayed her husband and her son. He also accuses her of being "false" and "deceitful" for not telling him about Claudius's murder of his father. Ophelia Hamlet also accuses Ophelia of being "frail" and "inconstant" for not being able to resist Claudius's advances. He believes that she has betrayed him by listening to Claudius and by not telling him the truth about what is happening. However, there are some important differences in Hamlet's treatment of Gertrude and Ophelia.

• Hamlet's anger towards Gertrude is more intense. He sees her as being responsible for his father's death, and he blames her for the chaos that has been unleashed in the kingdom. He is also more direct in his accusations towards Gertrude.
• Hamlet's anger towards Ophelia is more conflicted. He loves Ophelia, but he also feels betrayed by her. He is not sure whether to trust her, and he is afraid that she will betray him again. This conflict is reflected in his treatment of Ophelia. He is sometimes gentle and loving, but he is also sometimes cruel and mocking.

In the end, Hamlet's treatment of both Gertrude and Ophelia is a result of his own inner turmoil. He is struggling with his grief, his anger, and his uncertainty about the future. His treatment of these women is a reflection of his own inner conflict.

Sample Solution

In his "Frailty, thy name is woman" speech, Hamlet expresses his disgust and disappointment with both his mother, Gertrude, and Ophelia.