Feminist Theory and Ophelia Daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes, lover of Hamlet, Ophelia, from William Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Hamlet, could be examined through a feminist lens. Feminist criticism analyzes the representation of women through a traditionally male dominated society, it’s concerned with the ways that literature reinforces or undermines the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women (The OWL at Purdue, “Feminist Criticism”). The assumption in feminism is that women are not treated equally to men, and that women are disadvantaged in comparison to men (About Education, “Feminism Definition”). Feminist criticism in general demonstrates the injustice done to women. William Shakespeare’s famous…show more content… Come your ways,” (1.4.23-4). Ophelia’s only response to her father’s orders is, “I shall obey, my lord,” (1.4.24). Ophelia’s reply shows her respect for her dad in the fact that she doesn’t argue back, but it also shows her as a dependent, controlled, weak individual with no freedom of thought. Ophelia slightly attempts to defend Hamlet by stating,” My lord, he hath importuned me with love/ In honorable fashion,” (1.3.23), but Polonius responds saying the vows are just traps for stupid birds. Polonius is a self-centered man, even though he loves Ophelia, he uses her, and he’s more worried about his reputation rather than Ophelia’s feelings towards Prince Hamlet. To guard his reputation he bans Ophelia from talking to…show more content… Prince Hamlet uses Ophelia by entering her private room, “with a look so piteous in purport,/ As if he had been loosened out of hell/ To speak of horrors,” (2.1.38), to maintain his appearance of madness, Hamlet knew that virtuous Ophelia would inform to her father. Ophelia states to her father of what had happened and that she’s feared that the Prince Hamlet of Denmark is, “mad for thy love,” (2.1.4), Polonius thinking that Hamlet’s love for Ophelia will now advantage him, reports to the King. Polonius then comes up with a scheme to display that Hamlet is madly in love with his dear daughter, Ophelia, to the King and Queen of Denmark. Polonius and the King then set Ophelia up to observe Hamlet’s actions to see if Hamlet is truly love sick, once again Ophelia obeys, without her father ever asking how she feels about the