Book Description

"This thesis titled "The Female Hamlet" aims to explore the role of the character Hamlet as played by several particular women on stage. The main critical purpose will be to explain how the perception of the character of Hamlet has changed over the centuries, how these female Hamlets were involved in the changing role, and finally the issues of gender raised by their performances. This thesis will focus on five actresses who performed as Hamlet, Sarah Siddons, Jane Powell, Charlotte Cushman, Sarah Bernhardt, and Asta Nielsen. Throughout this work, historical constructions of gender will always be at issue and it will be essential to continually make clear what the public's perception was of what women could and could not do during different time periods. These women's part in evolving the role of Hamlet will include such details as their rehearsals, performances, dress, critical reception, and how the role may have compromised their careers. The latter portion of this thesis will focus on implications of Hamlet's femininity in scholarship, how a travesti performance of Hamlet can speak to gender expectations, and lastly whether Hamlet is a universal character. Again, the main purpose will be to show that the character changed, describe how these women were involved, and explain how this constructs issues of gender expectations. I conclude the work declaring that Hamlet is every man, and every woman too. Thus, there should be nothing more natural than a woman taking up the role as well. As the writer and critic William Hazlitt proclaimed, "It is we who are Hamlet."