Essay Considering Gertrude of Shakespeares Hamlet

Gertrude of Hamlet In Hamlet, Gertrude is a woman who means no harm but whose poor judgment contributes greatly to the terrible events that occur. There are only two female characters in the play, and neither one--Gertrude or Ophelia--is assertive. But the decisions Gertrude does make eventually lead to her death and the downfall of others as well. We first realize in Act I, Scene 2 that poor judgment is her major character flaw. As the mother of a grieving son, Gertrude should have been more sensitive to Hamlets feelings. Instead, less than two months after King Hamlets death, Gertrude remarries Claudius, her dead husbands own brother. Gertrude should have realized how humiliated Hamlet would feel as a†¦show more content†¦Someone might wonder whether Gertrude really is concealing some knowledge about a murder, but in Act II, scene 2, there is evidence that Gertrude really hasnt taken part in the plot. Hamlet suspects her of being an accomplice with Claudius in his fathers murder. Its too bad, therefore, that Hamlet doesnt hear Gertrudes private conversation with Claudius in which she gives her theory about Hamlets anger: I doubt it is no other but the main, His fathers death and our oerhasty marriage.(II.ii 56-57) Gertrudes conscience may finally be bothering her, but only about her quick marriage, not about anything worse. If Hamlet hadnt scolded her, the thought might never have occurred to her that the marriage took place too soon. Her comments show that Gertrude probably was not an accomplice. Up until now, we might have believed Hamlet. However, Claudius and Gertrude are talking privately and still Gertrude makes no reference to any plot. Her sincere reason for hoping that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can provide clues to Hamlets behavior is so that she can help Hamlet feel better (a strong contrast to Claudius sinister motives). In other words, Gertrudes 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 hereShow MoreRelatedHamlets Loss of Faith1323 Words   |  6 PagesThere comes a time in one’s life when he loses faith in his beliefs or in his relationships. In Shak espeare’s play, Hamlet, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, murders Hamlet’s father to inherit the crown of Denmark and the love of Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Throughout the play there are six soliloquies that reveal the character of Hamlet and others. In more than any other Shakespearean play, the audience is painted a better picture of Hamlet’s mind. Shakespeare questions the social and Christian institutionsRead MoreHamlet Tragic Flaw Analysis1522 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Hamlet is considered one of the greatest tragedies ever written, and it has sparked a few controversial discussions amongst critics, the most intriguing topic being Hamlet’s ‘tragic flaw’. It was A.C. 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