Final answer:
Hamlet's line "Frailty, thy name is woman" expresses his disgust with his mother Gertrude's hasty marriage to Claudius. Ophelia's character can be seen as exercising agency within the confines of her role, and Gertrude's character can be variously interpreted.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Hamlet says, "Frailty, thy name is woman," he is expressing his disgust with his mother's recent choices. The line speaks to the perceived weaknesses that Hamlet attributes to his mother, Gertrude, particularly her hasty remarriage to Claudius following his father's death.
This statement reflects Hamlet's larger frustration and sense of betrayal, rather than a specific critique of Ophelia's behavior or a general statement about women's intelligence.
The character of Ophelia has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, often reflecting the dominant cultural views on female madness and insanity.
However, some modern interpretations consider her actions within the play as a form of protest and rebellion against the restrictive gender roles of the time. Gertrude, on the other hand, can be seen either as a co-conspirator, an innocent bystander, or even a hero, depending on one's interpretation of the text and her actions.