Gertrude's Treatment Of Women In Hamlet

In the beginning of the Renaissance age came the rule of Queen Elizabeth, who ruled from 1558 to 1603. Being a woman of authority in that society, “women were believed born with the natural virtues such as having a relationship with a male, obedience, silence, sexual chastity, piety, humility and patience” (The Women in Literature and Life Assembly, Patricia Kelly).

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Gertrude who is Hamlet’s mother married to King Claudius (Hamlets Uncle) , immediately remarried after her husband’s death King Hamlet (Hamlets Father). Hamlet complained, “Within a month, Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears Had left…her galled eyes, She married-O most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity…” (Hamlet.1.2.155-158). Shakespeare makes Gertrude look like she has no virtues. For example, patience, sexual chastity and humility, because when she became widowed, she soon married again, coming to the conclusion that she is an adulterer in society’s views. Since that is completely opposite of the real women’s virtues who lived during the Renaissance, we can see that Shakespeare wanted to differentiate from the virtuous women to create Gertrude’s personality and character as being the total opposite of these women.

Furthermore, when Gertrude decided to marry again shortly after her husband’s death, she risked

being indifferent from what women’s society portrayed them and her to be which was innocent and loyal to men. As stated from ArticleMyriad, “Gertrude was a bold and brave woman who was strong enough to challenge social norms by rejecting them all together” (An Analysis of Shakespeare’s Women, 2012). When most women ruled over their country like Queen Elizabeth, they were obligated to marry just like a King was required to marry in order to produce the next heir to the throne. Queen Elizabeth was the first women to decline getting married while she was ruling England & Ireland. Since making this connection, Shakespeare also knew that women were strong and powerful, even against male authority and society's expectations.
In conclusion, Shakespeare showed that all women had specific virtues that they needed to follow in that specific Renaissance society.

In his play, Hamlet who is the son of Gertrude pleads “Frailty thy name is women” (Hamlet.1.2.146). This quote signifies that all of womankind is undependable human beings. In Shakespeare’s and the Renaissance view, woman are seen as fragile and servants of all men. But in contradictory to those reputations, one of Queen Elizabeth’s best accomplishment was defeating the Spanish Armada in order to save her country. There is one thing that only women know, that is they are stronger and more powerful than perceived to

be.