Hamlet definitely shows sexist behavior in the play, a result of his disgust at his mother's marriage to Claudius. The play itself is generally sexist and reflects common ideas about women at that time. Despite this, the play is not entirely sexist and is sometimes categorical towards women. Ophelia is the most important example. Although she too is insulted by Hamlet because of her femininity ("go to a convent, why should you be a father of sinners?" (3.1.313-314)), she is a weak character because of her structure family (a brother and father) and the men in his life. Hamlet and Polonius have such great power over his character and his life that his death is the very consequence of these two men. Shakespeare makes Ophelia an unhappy character, whose disappearance comes from having obeyed her father's wishes. Furthermore, while Hamlet is sexist towards his mother, Gertrude, intentionally or by mistake, saves her son's life by drinking from the poisoned pearl cup. She goes against her husband's warning: "Gertrude, don't drink / I will, please forgive me" (5.2.287-88) and, for the first time in the play, wins confident to act according to his own will. In doing so, she loses her life, but saves that of her son, even if only