Exploring The Character of Gertrude Lady Hamlet Essay Example For Students

Exploring The Character of Gertrude Lady Hamlet Essay The character of Gertrude in Shakespeares Hamlet is a very complex one, and as a character has many interpretations. The most common of these being that of a very sexual being, thinking only about her body, and physical, bodily pleasures. It is her sexual appetite that initially turns Hamlet against her so violently. Her marriage to Claudius a mere few months after the death of Hamlets father is sudden and shocking, to both Hamlet and the audience. This marriage has soured the relationship between mother and son, and Hamlet is disgusted with Gertrude, Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears, Had left the flushing her galled eyes, She married. O most wicked speed, to post, With such dexterity to incestuous sheets The shock of her marriage to Claudius in such a short time after King Hamlets death gives the impression that the pair were partaking in an illicit relationship while the King was still alive. The theory is emphasised when the Ghost relays to Hamlet more disturbing information about his mother, Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast. The use of the word adulterate can be read to assume that Gertrude was Claudius lover before the Kings death. This would make Gertrude a much more loathsome character than she is, however throughout the rest of the play there is no mention of this adultery, and therefore not enough evidence for this interpretation to be taking too seriously. The definition of the word adulterate is to make impure by addition, and the Ghost is saying that Claudius has made his most seeming-virtuous queen impure. The reading that Gertrude was an adulteress would also have made her a much more important character in the play, perhaps assisting Claudius in the murder of King Hamlet, making her the villianess to Claudius villain. During the play, Claudius does not refer to her as his accomplice, nor does he confess anything to her, either protecting her through love, or simply covering his own back. Additionally, if Gertrude were indeed an accomplice in the murder of his father, Hamlet would have been more directly involved with her in the play in regard to his fathers murder. Yet when he confronts her in the famous closet scene and he announces all her crimes, he does not once imply she has committed adultery. Some scholars believe that there is evidence of an incestuous relationship between Gertrude and Hamlet, a view universalised by Sigmund Freuds Oedipus complex. In Freuds psychoanalytical theory of human development, he proposes the idea that all sons go through a phase in childhood where they see their fathers as a rival for their mothers affection and wish to establish a romantic relationship with their mothers. Freud explains that this desire is unconscious but if these feelings and desires are repressed, the boy make inadvertently preserve an unhealthy love for his mother. In Hamlets case, the complex is furthered by the death of his father. Hamlets repressed desire to take the place of his father in his mothers affection is usurped by Claudius, who instead takes this prestigious place. Hamlet also seems to have an obsession with the sexual relationship between Gertrude and Claudius, Not this, by no means, that I bid you: Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed. I feel this interpretation of Gertrude further emphasises her role as a sexual and sensual woman, capable of enticing all those men around her. It is hard to understand the deep devotion that Hamlet, his father and Claudius all have for Gertrude, but it is perhaps her way of surviving in the play. Gertrude can be interpreted as an almost trophy wife incapable of thinking and there merely for aesthetics, and is often described as dumb and dull by scholars and critics of Hamlet but this cannot be the case. Her intelligence, though not on the same philosophical level of thinking as her sons, nor the level of political thinking of Claudius, cannot be doubted. During the reign of her late husband, she was Denmarks beloved Queen, and after his death could have been cast into the shadows. But she managed to hold onto her position in the monarchy through her marriage to Claudius. The marriage can be interpreted as a motherly sacrifice by Gertrude, in order to preserve her sons right to the throne. Gertrude can also be seen as, perhaps more than any other characters in the play, the antithesis of her son. Hamlet Monologue EssayHe sees her, and her gender, as weak as her sexual needs are too strong, Frailty thy name is woman. Gertrudes good heart does not only care for the two men in her life, but for Ophelia as well, as she hoped that Ophelia would have eventually married Hamlet, I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlets wife and that his madness is a result of unrequited love. She shows great sympathy towards Ophelia when the young woman begins to lose her sanity, and great sadness at her death, portraying Gertrude as a kind hearted, compassionate woman, capable of great affection and tenderness. Her description of Ophelias death is some of the most beautiful, yet tragic words of the play, When down her weedy trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up, Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes, As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a creature naive and indued Unto that element; but long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink. Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death. Gertrudes weakness is shown by her desire to help others, and make them happy. She is easily persuaded to allow Polonius to hide in her room when she is talking to Hamlet, because she thinks Polonius can help uncover the reason behind her sons madness, showing maternal love and compassion. Gertrudes disinclination towards the truth is undeniable, but it is not in a malicious way. She lies to herself about the consequences of her own actions, of her marriage to Claudius, and she lies to those around her, but her lies are to protect those she cares about. Her lies keep not only herself, but also those around her emotionally and physically safe. After Hamlet has killed Polonius, Gertrude knows she must tell Claudius, but when she does she also tells him that Hamlet weeps for what is done. Gertrude, and we, as the audience, know this is not that case, but this white lie makes Hamlet seem to regret his actions, thus making him appear repentant. From any perspective, neither Gertrude nor Ophelia are as developed characters as Hamlet or Claudius. Shakespeare gives them very little stage time or lines, despite them both being key to the plot of the play. The play accentuates the roles and stereotypes in Shakespeares England. Women were expected to be quiet and submissive towards their male counterparts, daughters and wives were expected to be obedient to the requests of their fathers and husbands, and had no authority or control over their lives. This point is illustrated by the roles of Ophelia, the obedient daughter and Gertrude, the loyal and obedient wife and mother. The Elizabethan World Order sets the sovereign of the country at the head of the hierarchy, with nobles following after, all the way down through the social classes and ending with plant and rocks. Men had more power than women did, as the society was a patriarchal one, so this leaves Gertrude in a confusing position of power. Claudius has more power than her, but he only has this power due to marrying her. As queen, she has more power than a lot of men around her, but as a wife, she is dependent on Claudius. This makes her a very powerful woman for her time, and she uses this power to protect her son. In conclusion, there are many interpretations of the character of Gertrude, the caring affectionate mother, or the sexual adulteress. Personally I think that Gertrude is one of the most complex and appealing characters in the play. Her unwavering devotion to her son despite his obvious disgust at her is to be greatly admired, and she accepts that his madness is partly due to her marriage to his fathers brother. Her intelligence is not remarkable, but she shows an amazing aptitude for almost manipulating those around her to protect herself, and those who she cares deeply about. Gertrudes sexual nature is unmistakable throughout the play, this may be her weakness, but she is an emotionally strong woman, who is not malicious but kind hearted and simply wishes everyone that she loves, to be happy and amiable to each other.