The Burden of Manhood: Hegemonic Masculinity and Hamlet’s ‘To Be or Not To Be’

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamics of hegemonic masculinity in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, focusing particularly on the iconic soliloquy “To be or not to be.” Drawing on R.W. Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity, the paper analyzes Hamlet’s internal conflict as a manifestation of culturally sanctioned male expectations—rational control, emotional suppression, and decisive action. It contends that Hamlet’s indecision and philosophical rumination challenge traditional masculine ideals by foregrounding vulnerability, existential doubt, and moral complexity. While Elizabethan society glorified masculine valor, political authority, and emotional restraint, Hamlet’s monologue disrupts these norms, representing masculinity not as fixed but as fractured and contested. Through a textual and theoretical lens, the paper shows how Shakespeare’s play anticipates modern critiques of dominant gender ideologies, offering a profound meditation on the burdens imposed by hegemonic masculinity.