Examples Of Gertrude's Relationship In Hamlet

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The dramatic play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare is a play that showcases Hamlet, the son of King Hamlet, seeking vengeance over his father’s death once he discovers the real truth of how he died. But the main focus is on Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Hamlet loved his mother and obeyed her, but Hamlet had bitter feelings for her decisions and actions throughout the story. These bitter feelings came from Gertrude’s decision to marry Hamlet’s father’s brother, Claudius. The marriage caused the feelings between him and his mother’s relationship to be strained, more forced than anything, with the sequence of events in the story only making the feelings grow more bitter towards his mother. So, to fully analyze the relationship between Gertrude and …show more content…

Early in the play, one can notice the strained feelings Hamlet has for his mother. Hamlet does not necessarily hate his mother at the beginning of the play, but it is as like a reader can sense Gertrude is a burden to Hamlet. Hamlet associates himself with his royal family and does care for them early in the play, but what caused the strained feelings early in the play was his mother’s decision to marry his father’s brother, Claudius. Gertrude only waited two months before she found her new companion. This decision made Hamlet feel like Gertrude was betraying his biological father since Gertrude did not mourn the loss of her royal husband. When Hamlet runs into his mother one day while deep in thought about the whole situation, he questions his mother’s decision of why she married back so quickly, and why she chose his uncle, Claudius. ( cite conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude) (CITE I.ii.68) and (CITE I.ii.72). This conversation between Gertrude and Hamlet clearly shows that the death of King Hamlet bothered Gertrude very little and makes Hamlet question the motive behind the marriage. From that day on, Hamlet vowed to seek the real …show more content…

Paying close attention to this context, one can tell that Gertrude’s love for Claudius infuriates Hamlet and drives him to disrespect his mother’s authority. This upsets his mother, but it does not stop her from doing the very same thing to him. Another example of disrespect in this relationship comes from act III scene IV when Gertrude. After the dialogue between Gertrude and Hamlet, when Hamlet was very rude to his mother, Gertrude promises to stay away from Claudius since Hamlet hated him very much and believes he killed his father. One can support this statement with the text saying, “Thoust can be assured, if words be made of breath, and breath of life, I have no life to breathe what thou hast said to me.” (III.IV.201-203) This promise fades away, though. Gertrude goes behind her son’s back and compromises with Claudius to send him off to England due to his insanity. Gertrude and Claudius do this since they fear he could cause tensions between the royal family. The evidence to prove this comes from act III scene IV. “King: Hamlet, for this deed, for thy especial safety- which we do tender, as we dearly grieve for that which thou hast done- must send thee hence with fiery wickedness. Therefore prepare thyself, the bark is ready, with the wind at help, and everything is bent for England.”(III.IV.38-41). One can interpret

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