Shakespeares Hamlet - To what extent do you consider the female roles in the play to be subordinate to the male roles?

... To what extent do you consider the female roles in the play to be subordinate to the male roles? In Shakespeare's day women played a small role socially, economically and politically. As a result of this, many works in literature were reflective of this diminutive role of women. Women were not allowed to perform on stage that meant that, in Elizabethan theatres, men dressed up as women and played their parts. So, female parts were kept relatively small when it came to writing plays. This could be why Shakespeare might have under developed the female role in Hamlet. One of the two females in the play is Gertrude. Her role in the play is a significant one. First of all for being the mother of the main character, Hamlet, whom she influences throughout the course of the play. Secondly, for being married to the villain of the play, Claudius, who has

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