The term "woman" is defined in the dictionary as an adult female human being having characteristics such as courtesy, kindness, gentleness and nurturing abilities. They are bearers of children and thus Women are considered the opposite sex of men and, in the past, slaves of men Nowadays, women can work, vote and manage things just like men. mothers and just housekeepers Women were always taught to respect, listen to and serve their husbands or fathers if they were not married. In the past, this was considered a norm, so women did not. had no choice but to obey and do what they wanted In Hamlet, Shakespeare depicts a similar relationship between men and women. He allows men to occupy a higher position in the drama. are treated as inferior people and believe that women should listen to them and do what men tell them. them, is maintained throughout the piece. Women are represented in two ways: virtuous or promiscuous. Shakespeare uses the character of Hamlet to show how men of that era viewed women. The two main female characters in this play are Gertrude and Ophelia. Shakespeare and Hamlet depict women as either pure, like Ophelia, or impure, like Gertrude. The real question is why do women seem to have so much impact on the actions and thoughts of the main character, Hamlet? This research topic, "Frailty thy name is woman", asks us to examine Hamlet's view of these two women. Hamlet seems to have a lot of serious problems with the important women in his life throughout this drama. Quite reasonably, Hamlet has problems with just about everyone in his life, male or female. There are only two female roles in the play; therefore, interpreting if H...... middle of paper ...... conclusion, Gertrude is seen as a promiscuous and corrupt woman and Ophelia is just the opposite, pure and virtuous. Hamlet sees them both as frail and weak without men to lead them. The gruff disposition that Hamlet is in throughout the play depicts his righteous feelings for women. Works Cited • Shakespeare, William, Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine New York: Washington Square, 1992.• Bradley, AC Shakespearean Tragedy. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1966. • Burnett, Mark, ed. New essays on Hamlet. New York: AMS Press, 1994.• Evans Lloyd Gareth. Shakespeare IV. London: Oxford University Press, 1967.• Granville-Barker, Henry. Prefaces to Shakespeare. New York: Hill and Wang, 1970.• Loske, Olaf. Scandalous fortune. Oslo: Oslo University Press, 1960.• Muir, Kenneth. Shakespeare and the tragic model.