Critical Analysis Of Gertrude

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In other words, Gertrude 's worst fault seems to be insensitivity towards her son. She shows no awareness of how her husband died and therefore no insight into what Hamlet suspects. The irony here is that Gertrude 's motivation in watching Hamlet 's behavior is genuine concern for his well-being, while Claudius ' concern is with his own well-being. Another example of Gertrude 's lack of awareness is inability to realize that her second marriage can be seen as adultery by those around her. Her attitude is that if she and Claudius had simply waited longer before marrying to give Hamlet more time to grieve Hamlet might have reacted better. She doesn 't face Hamlet 's concept that perhaps the marriage shouldn 't have happened at all. Love is the answer to all problems for Gertrude. She shows this simple-minded thinking also in Act III, scene 1. She tells Ophelia about her hope that Hamlet 's madness came from his love for Ophelia. If Gertrude keeps believing this, she won 't have to face the marriage as the problem or feel guilty. Gertrude 's romantic outlook again keeps her from seeing truth. Because of Hamlet 's powerful belief in his mother 's guilt, he takes his anger out on Ophelia, who Hamlet may think is just another insincere woman like his mother. Hamlet is determined to use the play to get at his mother 's conscience in addition to Claudius '. But Gertrude reacts casually after watching. Gertrude does not show guilt about her relationship with Claudius but …show more content…

Before this moment, the irony in this scene is that Gertrude actually offers the wine to her son to help and encourage him! But she finally has to admit to herself that Claudius is guilty of murdering old Hamlet and of trying to murder Hamlet. When she warns Hamlet not to drink the wine, she again is showing compassion for her son and her wish to protect him from

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