Hamlet's Treatment of Ophelia and Gertrude Modern folklore suggests that women examine a man's relationship with his mother to predict how they will treat other women in their lives. Hamlet is a good example of a son's treatment of his mother, reflecting how he will treat the woman he loves, because when we consider Hamlet's attitude and his treatment of Ophelia in William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, we must first consider the way Hamlet treated his mother. A characteristic of Hamlet's personality is to make broad and sweeping generalizations and nowhere is this more evident than in his treatment of women. Very early in the play, as he discusses his mother's transgressions, he comments: “Fragility, your name is woman. (Hoy, 11 years old). Hamlet seems to believe that all women act the same way as his mother. The first time the audience meets Hamlet, he is angry and upset at Queen Gertrude, his mother, for remarrying his uncle so soon after his father's death. In his first soliloquy, he comments on the speed of his remarriage. In a month, before the salt of the most unjust tears had left the redness in her irritated eyes, she was married. O wickedest speed, posting with such dexterity to incestuous leaves! This is not, and cannot be, successful. (Hoy, age 11) It is understandable that Hamlet would be angry at his mother for forgetting his father and marrying his uncle, Claudius. In Hamlet's eyes, his father deserves more than a month of mourning and by remarrying so quickly, the queen has sullied the memory of King Hamlet. This remarriage is sinful and illegal, but a special dispensation was granted because she is queen. Hamlet's opinion of his mother deteriorates as the play progresses because his father, who appears as a ghost, tells him about his mother's adulterous behavior and his uncle's clever and unconscionable murder. Although Hamlet promises revenge on King Claudius for the murder of his father, he is initially more concerned with the ghost's revelations regarding his mother. King Hamlet tells Hamlet not to worry about his mother, but after the apparition leaves, that is the first thing Hamlet talks about. Before swearing to avenge his father's death, he comments on the sins committed by his mother. Even though Hamlet decides to pretend to be mad to plot against the king, it is clear that he is truly going mad. His madness seems to amplify his anger towards his mother. During the play scene, he openly embarrasses her and behaved terribly towards her in the closet scene. The closet scene explains a lot