Final answer:
The line "Frailty, thy name is woman!" from Shakespeare's Hamlet refers to Queen Gertrude. Ophelia, another female character, has diverse interpretations ranging from frail to a feminist symbol, showing different societal attitudes towards female characters. The correct option is 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
"Frailty, thy name is woman!" is a famous line from Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. This line is uttered by Hamlet in Act 1, Scene 2, and is a criticism directed at his mother, Queen Gertrude, for her hasty marriage to Claudius following the death of Hamlet's father. Therefore, the woman referred to in the line is Gertrude. The line reflects Hamlet's disillusionment with his mother and women in general, as he believes Gertrude's actions to be weak and morally frail.
Ophelia is another female character in the play whose portrayal has been historically associated with frailty and madness. The character of Ophelia has been interpreted in multiple ways, with some considering her weak and mad due to her unrequited love for Hamlet and others viewing her as a heroine exercising the most agency possible within her societal constraints.
Her portrayal has evolved over the centuries, reflecting changing attitudes toward female psychology and sexuality, as well as feminist interpretations that have reimagined her as a symbol of resistance against gender stereotypes.