Gertrudes portrayal in Shakespeare's Hamlet evokes feelings of both disdain and empathy from the audience. The complexity that surrounds this somewhat minor character causes her to be hated by those who do not care to delve deeper. Through her remarriage to Claudius, and the mystery surrounding her former husband's death, the audience initially may take her for a cold hearted woman who is insensitive to her son. However, when analyzing her character throughout the course of the play, one will find her true affection for Hamlet. Although Hamlet portrays Gertrude as a cold hearted and lustful woman, her unwavering love for him reveals the true compassion she holds for her son.
Throughout the play, Hamlet describes his mother with words of hatred
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In act two, scene two, Gertrude, Claudius, and Polonius all discuss the cause of Hamlet’s insanity, to which Gertrude says, “I doubt it is no other but the main: His father’s death, and our o’erhasty marriage” Pg. 133. Gertrude’s recognition of her own fault in the downfall of Hamlet shows that she does in fact care for her son, as she could easily have placed the blame elsewhere. However, she does not do this, signifying her maternal love and responsibility for Hamlet. This responsibility for him also shows her guilt within the situation, as she describes her marriage as “o’erhasty”, agreeing with the opinion that it happened too quickly. A far more pivotal and significant example of her own guilt comes after Hamlet’s play The Murder of Gonzago, in Hamlet verbally assaults his mother and kills polonius in front of her. Gertrude, having realized just how angry Hamlet is at her and just how sinful her actions of have been, exclaims “O Hamlet, speak no more. Thou turn’st my eyes into my very soul, And there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct.”(Pg.190). In this exclamation, Gertrude shows just how pained she is by what she has done, as she cannot bear the sight of “such black and grained spots” within her soul. In seeing her guilt, the audience sympathizes with the …show more content…
As Gertrude explains Hamlet’s actions to Claudius, she describes how within his madness she could see his former sanity; “O'er whom his very madness, like some ore Among a mineral of metals base, Shows itself pure. He weeps for what is done.”(Pg.197) Gertrude explains how even after this heinous act, Hamlet shows he still possesses some sanity as he “weeps for what is done.” In doing so, Gertrude attempts to portray Hamlet in the best way possible, showing even at his worst she still loves him as any mother would. In addition, Gertrude conceals information from Claudius in this telling of events, as she does not inform him Hamlet believed it was him hiding behind the curtain, not Polonius. The concealment of this crucial detail is an evident attempt by Gertrude to protect her dear son, as should she have told Claudius that this murder was not an act of sheer insanity, but an attempt at his own life, the King would surely have been far more severe towards Hamlet. While Gertrude did tell Claudius about what happened when she said she wouldnt, this concealment of information and portrayal of her son show her loyalty to Hamlet.This continued devotion to Hamlet again contrasts Hamlet’s own horrific description of Gertrude, and again exemplifies her maternal devotion to
Shakespeare specifically leaves out key details about her character. Was she in an affair with Claudius before the murder? Did she know Claudius was the one to kill King Hamlet? Did she plot against him? These questions prove that Gertrude is much more complex than the reader initially thinks.
After the death of Old Hamlet and Gertrude’s remarriage to Claudius, Hamlet feels extremely angry and bitter. “How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable / Seem to me all the uses of this world!” (1.2.133-134). Due to the death of his father, he is already in a state of despair and the lack of sympathy that his mother has towards his sorrow does not aid him in recovering from this stage of grief. “Good Hamlet, cast thy knighted colour off, / And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark” (1.2.68-69). Hamlet is struggling to accept the fashion in which Gertrude is responding to the death of Old Hamlet; she seems quite content with her new life with Claudius, which is a difficult concept for him to accept as after the d...
The Role of Minor Characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet Minor characters play a very crucial role in Shakespeare's Hamlet. They serve as narrators for events that occurred outside the immediate play: the Dane's ghost. Distinct contrasts are created through the usage of the play's minor characters. The reader gains a new perspective on Hamlet's character when he is compared to Laertes. The presence of these minor characters can also have a direct effect on the action of the play.
The fact that Gertrude has a strong dislike about telling the truth is not to be argued. Granted that, she lies to herself about the consequences of her actions, and she lies to those around her. She lies to protect them. Hers are not cruel and wicked falsehoods; hers are white lies that she feels she must tell in order to keep her and those around her safe physically and emotionally. She must tell the King that Hamlet has killed Polonius, but, she does what she can to help Hamlet, telling Claudius that Hamlet "weeps for what is done" when clearly he does not. On the surface, it is hard to comprehend why Hamlet, his father, and Claudius all have such a deep devotion to Gertrude. But the qualities that save her from condemnation along with Claudius are delicately combined with various details into the play. She loves Hamlet, and, underneath her shallow exterior, shows great emotion when he confronts her. Gertrude truly does not know what she has done to make Hamlet so furious, and it is only when he tells her that she understands her actions to be wrong. After all, Gertrude feels horrible for what she has done and how it affected hamlet for she quotes “O Hamlet, speak no more: Thou turn 'st my very eyes into my soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct” (III.IV.88-91). “O speak to me no more; these words like daggars enter my ears; No more, sweet Hamlet!” (III.IV.94-6). There is no reason to
The character of Hamlet shows many sides of his character depending on whom he is talking to. With his mother when Gertrude was having an affair with Hamlet’s uncle, he evoked pity and
Claudius is the king of Denmark, who is a very powerful and assertive man. He is the type of person that will do anything to get what he wants and everything in his power to stay king. He will do what it takes to get his way, even if that means betraying the person he is supposed to be committed to and love, his wife Gertrude. Gertrude is the mother of Hamlet, who she deeply cares for and loves. She is convinced that Claudius does as well. In order for Claudius to stay as king he must keep Gertrude happy and pleased. He accomplishes this by pretending to love Hamlet in front of Gertrude when in reality he wants to kill Hamlet. Claudius faces the truth that his secret got out and Hamlet knows he killed King Hamlet. Not wanting to ruin his reputation and of course stay king he plans to have Hamlet killed. He lets Gertrude believe...
Hamlet’s relationship with his mother Gertrude is one of mostly rage, hatred, and possibly jealousy that could have been from loving her in a romantic sense. Hamlet finds out that Gertrude marries his father’s brother soon after his father’s death and goes in a fury. He yells at her and he calls her an incestuous beast. Whether or not this is from hatred for Claudius, Gertrude, or even out of jealousy are all cases that can be very well argued. The fluctuating emotions that Hamlet shows throughout is what makes the play so easy to relate to as a human and also what makes the possibility of there being multiple interpretations on how he really feels. Gertrude is also a strange character in that it seems as
In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, much detail is given to develop the male characters of the play. For example, the protagonist’s mental and emotional woes are plainly outlined for the audience. This is not the case for the women of this play; it is left up to the imagination of the audience to devise their own opinion of Gertrude and Ophelia. Many critics have offered their interpretation on Gertrude’s personality that range from one extreme of the spectrum to the other. One Shakespearean critic described the Queen’s character as “very dull and very shallow” (Heilbrun, 1957, p.201). It is the contention of this author, that Gertrude is a strong and self-centered woman who is veiled in mystery and ambiguity. Literary evidence will be provided that Gertrude was not a shallow or dull minded individual. The Queen was a shrewd and passionate woman that would go to any limit to obtain her heart’s desire.
Hamlet’s sense of betrayal by Gertrude, although briefly taking him off course, ultimately infuriates and intensifies his urge for revenge. Because of Gertrude’s refusal to acknowledge her sins, Hamlet becomes even more personally motivated to kill Claudius for revenge. Queen Gertrude, though ignorant, has a huge impact on the play because her betrayal and abandonment motivates Hamlet to get revenge. When writing Hamlet, Shakespeare created a complex play that relies on the roles of two important women to aid the progression of the plot. Although Queen Gertrude and Ophelia rarely speak, they function as a way for the men to become informed about Hamlet’s mental state and motives for madness.
To begin, Gertrude is presented in differing manners throughout Hamlet the play versus Hamlet (2000) the film. In Shakespeare’s play, she originally is cast as a woman who has power due to her husband, but sits as a trophy wife. Craving power, safety, and comfort, she depends on men for her position and control. Seeming to have poor judgment, she never expresses self-reflection throughout the play and just seems to be a bit oblivious to everything, ultimately resulting in her death as an unaware victim of a game she ensnared herself
In this scene, Hamlet argues with his mother, Gertrude. He belittles her, and insults her “incestuous” relationship with Claudius. Hamlet accuses his mother of helping Claudius kill his father. Hamlet even tells his mother that “(would it were not so) you are my mother” (3.4.21.). Basically, Hamlet tells his mother that he wishes that she wasn’t his mother. During this scene, Hamlet is actually contemplating whether or not he is to kill his mother. While Hamlet has no concrete proof that Gertrude actually had any place in the plot to kill Hamlet Senior, he believes that her relationship, and loyalty, to Claudius is proof enough. Then, however, the ghost intervenes and informs Hamlet of his mothers’ innocence. The passion behind Hamlet in this scene is his resentment of his mothers’ marriage to Claudius, and his belief that his mother had a part in the murder of Hamlet Senior. This caused him to be enraged at his mother, and even wish for her death. However, if Hamlet thought logically, he could have discussed Claudius’ crime with his mother and determined whether or not she was guilty for himself, instead of relying solely on the
How Gertrude can marry the brother, and murderer of her deceased husband beats me! How she got re-married so quickly after the death, and without even consulting with her son Hamlet just proves how much of an ugly person she really is. "Thrift, thrift, Horatio. The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables."( I;ii; 180-181). What beats me is how even after Hamlet told his mother that Claudius was responsible for his fathers death, she still decided to stay with him. Which is absolute proof of how self centred she is, and how much her son means to her. "A bloody deed almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king, and marry his brother."( III;iv;29-30). Hamlet, now having no blood family left to lean on, finds himself feeling very alone. But cannot see his downfall coming.
Jones writes, “Whereas the murder of his father evokes in him indignation and a plain recognition of his obvious duty to avenge it, his mother’s guilty conduct awakes in him the intensest horror”(2). Hamlet must be more infuriated at news of the affair because it demonstrates to him Gertrude’s attraction to someone other than
The relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude is strained at first. From the beginning of the play to act III, Hamlet is bitter with his mother. He feels this way because it has been less than four months since the death of his biological father, yet she is already remarried to Claudius. He feels his father is being betrayed from her lack of mourning. She tells her son to "cast thy nighted color off" (I.ii.68) and "all that lives must die" (I.ii.72). Clearly, she isn't grieving over her late husband's death and instead puts forth an optimistic attitude to her new husband and life. Gertrude's concern with Hamlet's odd behaviour after his encounter with Ophelia in act II scene i also shows the strain in their relationship. For example, she agrees with Claudius' words that "of Hamlet's transformation" (II.ii.5) and suggests Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy and find out the underlying cause of her son's problems. In addition to that, she consents Polonius to hide behind the tapestry in act III scene iv without Hamlet knowing. These two decisions suggest their inability to communicate. Instead, spying is required for Gertrude to find out about her son's inner mentality. The mother and ...
Hamlet’s s mother, Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark married her brother in law, Claudius, after her husband, the previous King, Elder Hamlet, was murdered by Claudius. In reality, many people might consider Queen Gertrude as a blatant, characterless and a licentious woman because of her incestuous marriage to Claudius. If we analyze Gertrude’s character we should spring up with the idea that due to her husband’s sudde...