In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, one of its character Gertrude remains a true mystery. It was never clearly stated whether she was Claudius' co-conspirator or Hamlet's defender, making it difficult for its reader to know which is correct. She is mother of protagonist Hamlet and holds the position of Queen in the throne of Denmark. Defined by her desire for affection, she tends to depend on men to fulfill self-preservation and often times, put her needs in front of others. Although she holds reign, during the play she allows herself to be defined by those around her. In Hamlet, Queen Gertrude is morally frail, oblivious, and warmhearted when it comes to her son. We first realize in Act I, Scene 2 that Gertrude’s moral intuition is essentially nonexistent. In mourning for his late father, Hamlet was in need of consolation and a mother to lend a helping hand. Instead, in less …show more content…
She protects him from a distance and makes it known that she is worried about his state of mind and well-being. In fact, Gertrude constantly relies on the help of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out the cause of Hamlet’s erratic behavior. Afterward, they’d report their findings, “He does confess he feels himself distracted, but from what cause he will by no means speak” (2.3.5). With no clue, Gertrude only hoped Ophelia’s rejections to date were the reason, because Hamlet’s behavior would then be rationalized and only temporary. “Ophelia, I do wish that your good beauties be the happy cause of Hamlet’s wildness. So shall I hope your virtues will bring him to his wanted way again” (3.1.44). Furthermore, in Act IV, scene 1, when describing to Claudius Hamlet's killing of Polonius, Gertrude excuses the gruesome act by lying that Hamlet was remorseful and cried afterwards. “He weeps for what is done,” (4.1.27) she states with the intent of protecting him from
I stand here today not wishing to be seen by you as a Queen, but as Gertrude, mother of Hamlet and wife of Hamlet senior, King of Denmark, the latter of which is newly deceased. Today we shall remember, remember the hardships, triumph’s and cheerfulness of such a noble man, who has endured many arduous tasks so that we may be safe, protected and to loved. Throughout Denmark, the king was well-known not only for his caring personality and loving nature, but for his brave heart and prowess in battle.
Then Hamlet lies to her saying he never really loved her which made her situation worse. And she was set up to see why hamlet is acting crazy and is spied on by Claudius to see where hamlet is week. So, as you can see Ophelia is put
Gertrude came to me three months ago in the need of talking about her family matters. She would often speak of her loyal husband Hamlet in how they would play cricket throughout their home. Correspondingly she talked about her near and dear son Hamlet. They would spend time watching plays with one another. Also she spoke of Claudius who was King Hamlet’s brother in how they would chat of nonsense to one another.
In Scene 1 Act 2 she says “Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet; I pray thee stay with us; go not to Wittenberg" (1.2,18-19) she’s trying to protect Hamlet but not seeing that she’s actually hurting him. What made Hamlet mad was that she had married her uncle two months after his father’s death. Gertrude causes the main problem in Hamlet’s life and she does it by only thinking of herself.
Despite the fact that his mother is not guilty of his father's murder, he carelessly releases his anger upon her- portraying his sense of superiority over his mother. Ultimately, the act of confronting Gertrude displays Hamlet’s arrogant nature which leads to his eventual demise.
In this quote Hamlet shows a misogynist characteristic, as he calls women frail, specifically Gertrude, for being so weak to fall for another man before she could properly mourn her previous husband. Through this quote Hamlet also uses an allusion to Greek mythology by comparing Gertrude to Niobe (a woman who mourned eternally, even after to death), as Gertrude should have mourned for a longer period of time than she did. Lastly, Hamlet speaks of his discontent towards his uncle, and self-proclaimed father, Claudius. Hamlet doesn’t think of Claudius as a true father, and notes him to be completely inferior to his real
Both Gertrude and Polonius are conspiring against Hamlet together. Gertrude is behind her own mask as Polonius is spying behind the curtain; Hamlet cannot get behind these barriers resulting in his frustration. This frustation is what plays a major role
A Victim of Villainy Shakespeare’s Hamlet portrays Gertrude as a victim trying to make sense of what is going on around her. She has no clue about what is true and is getting exposed because of it. Because Gertrude becomes blinded, she is also easily taken advantage of by others which makes her vulnerable to other people’s plans such as Claudius’. Although Gertrude seems to be a villain, she turns into a victim that leads to her demise.
In Hamlet, the state of family dynamics as well as the concept of trust is challenged through Hamlet’s external conflict with his mother, Queen Gertrude. Hamlet, already in mourning, is enraged at his mother and his uncle, Claudius, the new king of Denmark, for marrying so shortly after the death of his father; Gertrude attempts to comfort Hamlet in that death is a key element of life and is immutable. Hamlet does not openly express his discontent towards Gertrude and Claudius at first, though he does make his mourning known “Seems, madam! nay it is; I know not 'seems.' ' Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother…
Hamlet’s views on women is adulterous which pertains to the misogynistic tendencies in the play; thus, Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, sparks up his misogynistic approaches. Hamlet is repulsed with Gertrude since she was quick to re-wed immediately following Old Hamlet’s death and cries: “She married. O, most wicked speed, to post / With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (1.2.156-157). Hamlet is shocked that his mother remarries to Claudius, Old Hamlet’s brother, before letting the tears on her cheek to dry.
However, Hamlet soon discovers that Claudius has been lying to him, and Claudius’ real motive is to kill Hamlet in order to exterminate all possible threats to his reign. Claudius’ role play affects the entire country of Denmark, and he convinces the people that he is the rightful king, when he is not, and has murdered his brother for the throne. Gertrude, too, takes on a role; throughout the play, she seems oblivious to her wrongdoings. She claims that she loves Claudius, and did not just marry him for political reasons.
In his mind, Gertrude's real love should pertain to his father and it is not true love what motivates her to marry Claudius. Hamlet's imagination is filled withher lust to Claudius. Because Gertrude is his mother, Hamlet hopes to be in the first position of his mother's concern and love. Biggerexpectationmeansgreater disappointment sometimes. If he really stands in his mother's shoes, he will understand that his mother, as a woman, does not have much power and ability, needs to depend on a man.
The dramatic play Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a play that portrays Hamlet, the son of King Hamlet, seeking vengeance over his father’s death once he discovers the truth of how he died. But the main focus is on Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Hamlet has bitter feelings for her decisions and actions throughout the story. These bitter feelings come from Gertrude’s decision to marry Hamlet’s father’s brother, Claudius. The marriage created the strained relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude, and as the sequence of events unfold in the story, the bitter feelings turn them against each other to where they do not trust each other at all.
The play “Hamlet” written by Shakespeare, is full of drama that is presented in many different way. Young Hamlet has been through so much that he has gone crazy. Hamlet has been through a lot from his mother marrying his dad’s brother to talking to a ghost. Everything important in Hamlet’s life is suddenly all confusing at once. Throughout the play “Hamlet”, Gertrude (Hamlet’s mother) and Hamlet have a distance, love, and hate relationship between each other.
Gertrude reacts as rather rationally she doesn’t care too much about King Hamlets death but she seizes the moment and uses it gain more power or at least maintain her current power. Her constantly using men to maintain her power is proof she is strong character is her ability to use them for her own personal gain. Gertrude only advice to Hamlet was “O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink!