Hamlet

What is the theme of misogyny?

in hamletr

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Misogyny

Shattered by his mother’s decision to marry Claudius so soon after her husband’s death, Hamlet becomes cynical about women in general, showing a particular obsession with what he perceives to be a connection between female sexuality and moral corruption. This motif of misogyny, or hatred of women, occurs sporadically throughout the play, but it is an important inhibiting factor in Hamlet’s relationships with Ophelia and Gertrude. He urges Ophelia to go to a nunnery rather than experience the corruptions of sexuality and exclaims of Gertrude, “Frailty, thy name is woman” (I.ii.146).

Source(s)

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/hamlet/themes.html

but what does it mean?

Misogyny is a hatred of women, sometimes even girls.......... you might say it could possibly be a distinct distrust/contempt of women more than hatred. Hamlet is capable of loving a woman, therefore I think this might lean more towards "distrust."