Gertrude: The Tragic Heroine of Shakespeare's Hamlet
analytical Essay
3342 words
Gertrude: The Tragic Heroine of Hamlet
Hamlet is perhaps English literature's most renowned play; a masterwork by the greatest of all masters, Shakespeare, from its very appearance Hamlet has not ceased to delight audiences and confound spectators. The complexity of the main character, prince Hamlet, is so vast that all who have attempted to decipher his character fulsomely have failed. Amidst his own grandeur, Hamlet makes the other characters pale. As they blur into literary oblivion due to the magnetism of the central character, other characters are often disregarded as one-dimensional and are not done sufficient justice. Gertrude, victim of Hamlet's virulent verbal abuse, is often seen through the bitter eyes of her son and thus her true character is seldom recognized. However, Shakespeare, incapable of mediocrity, instilled in Gertrude more complexity than simple analysis might yield. He bestowed her the appearance of an unscrupulous woman, one for whom shame is a stranger and who acts guided solely by her carnal desires; furthermore, she gives signs of being a frivolous queen, one who occupies her mind in simple contemplations, and for whom profound matters are inaccessible. Finally, he made her seem an insensitive mother incapable of empathy for her son's grief and oblivious to true sensibility. Nonetheless, it is Gertrude's desire for reconcilement and her need to avoid conflict that make her appear an unscrupulous woman, a frivolous Queen and an insensitive mother.
Certainly the most widespread opinion regarding Gertrude is that she is an unscrupulous woman; however, it is her desire for reconcilement and her need to avoid conflict that make her appear unscrupulous. With all the force of his first soliloquy...
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... tragic flaw was no other than the innocent desire for reconcilement and her too human need to avoid conflict. In Hamlet's own words, this seems the very essence of veracity, "what a piece of work is man! how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties!" and yet, how solitary and uncomprehended; how quick to condemn, how reluctant to forgive and in doing so how like a Greek God, and how, so beautifully and fallibly human.
Bibliography
1. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Folger Library. Edited by Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar Washington, Washington Square Press Publication, 1958.
2. "Gertrude in Hamlet" http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/critical.html#michelle_g Date accessed 02/25/2003)
3. Mabillard, Amanda. Shakespeare's Gertrude. Shakespeare Online. 2000. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/gertrudechar.html (03/25/2003)
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare, incapable of mediocrity, instilled in gertrude more complexity than simple analysis might yield.
- Analyzes how hamlet presents the queen as the most grotesquely unscrupulous woman. his memory of his father goads him to remember how she would hang on him as if appetite had grown by what it fed on.
- Analyzes how claudius recognizes gertrude's genuine affection for hamlet, which clouds the affection she might hold for him.
- Analyzes how gertrudes' and claudius' relationship is settled into the tranquility of old age than characterized by the passionate, luscious impromptu of youth.
- Analyzes how gertrude's frivolity is evidence of her desire for reconcilement and her need to avoid conflict.
- Analyzes how gertrude displays cunningness in her response to hamlet's question during the play. she hopes that by deviating from the insulting nature, conflict might be avoided.
- Analyzes how the queen's sensitive and embellished narration of ophelia’s tragic death exonerates her from any accusation of frivolity and shows her as an incisive queen.
- Analyzes how gertrude's insensitive attitude has won her widespread dislike, but her desire for reconcilement and her need to avoid conflict are the pillars of her actions.
- Analyzes how gertrude's insensitivity is a manifestation of her desire for reconcilement. she does not reprimand her son, nor condemn him as an assassin.
- Analyzes how gertrude hides hamlet's cruelty under a veil of compassion when narrating his brutal crime to the king.
- Analyzes how gertrude's desire for reconcilement and her need to avoid conflict underlie what many mistakenly judged to be motherly insensitivity.
- Analyzes how gertrude is misinterpreted for centuries as an unscrupulous woman, a frivolous queen, and an insensitive mother.
- Introduces shakespeare, william, and hamlet in folger library, washington square press, 1958.
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- Custom Shakespeare's Hamlet Essay: Hamlet and Gertrudeanalytical essayHamlet and the Character of Gertrude Shakespeare’s sinful woman in the tragedy Hamlet is named Gertrude. Wife of Claudius and mother of the prince, she is not selected by the ghost for vengeance by the protagonist. Let’s consider her story in this essay. There is no doubt that Gertrude is a sinner in this play.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the audience notes a decidedly good relationship between gertrude and those about her in the drama.
- Analyzes how the ghost talks privately to hamlet about the murder of his father and the unfaithfulness and adultery of her mother. the revelation shows gertrude's complex temperament and motivation and renders her much more rounded in the dramatist’s development
- Analyzes how hamlet, after running polonius through with his rapier, is so emotional that he falsely accuses gertrude of killing his father, alarming the queen, who blurts out, "as kill a king!"
- Analyzes how gertrude reports to claudius only hamlet’s killing of polonius – reportedly due to his madness — thus keeping her word to her son.
- Analyzes how osric invites hamlet to a rapier contest with laertes. gertrude drinks from the cup poisoned by the king and kills him.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's sinful woman, gertrude, is not selected for vengeance by the protagonist. her love for hamlet, grief, and dismay are those of one whose soul has become alienated from god by sin.
- Opines that hamlet has a mother, each remembrance of which is an annoyance to his distressed mind.
- Analyzes how shakspere left the character of the queen in an unpleasant perplexity.
- Cites abrams, m. h., bradford-whiting, mary, and burton, philip.
- Cites coleridge, samuel taylor, jorgensen, paul a., lehmann, courtney, and lisa s. starks.
1925 wordsRead More - Gertrude's Dishonest Analysisanalytical essayQueen Gertrude is the wife of the late King Hamlet and the mother of their son Hamlet; she is a simple yet important character in a play called Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Gertrude finds herself in a dilemma after the sudden death of her husband King Hamlet. She hastily decides to marry the former king's brother Claudius. Hamlet becomes incredibly angry over this state of affairs, but, rather than halt her engagement Gertrude continues on. The queen requests that Hamlet stays in the kingdom rather return to his studies. She must continue to make attempts to cover up Hamlet's behavior, which eventually cause her death at the end.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how queen gertrude is a fearful, nave, and protective woman in shakespeare's hamlet.
- Analyzes how gertrude fears for her sons' safety after hamlet's conversation with her. she fears the uncertainty of telling king claudius the reality of the circumstances of polonius' death.
- Analyzes how queen gertrude is hamlet's shield and protects him when she drinks his poisoned wine.
- Analyzes how queen gertrude's naivety leads to her untimely death. she is a protective mother by nature, which is noticed by many.
1110 wordsRead More - Shakespeare's Hamlet Essay: Observations on Gertrudeanalytical essayAnd What of Gertrude in Hamlet? To what extent does evil reign in the heart of Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet? This essay will delve into her character, and into the deposit of literary criticism regarding her, in order to analyze her character in depth. Philip Edwards’ “The Ghost: Messenger from a Higher Court of Values?” expresses the necessity of the Ghost leaving the guilt of Gertrude to the afterlife:
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hamlet, after running polonius through with his rapier, is so emotional that he falsely accuses gertrude of killing his father, alarming the queen, who blurts out, "as kill a king!"
- Analyzes how gertrude reports to claudius on hamlet's killing of polonius – reportedly due to his madness — thus keeping her word to her son.
- Analyzes how evil reigns in the heart of queen gertrude in shakespeare's hamlet. philip edwards' "the ghost: messenger from a higher court of values?" expresses the necessity of the ghost leaving the guilt of
- Analyzes how the queen considers her son's dejection to result from his father’s death. the audience notes a decidedly good relationship between gertrude and those about her in the drama.
- Argues that coleridge's interpretation of hamlet is in conflict with others'.
- Analyzes how osric invites hamlet to a rapier contest with laertes, and gertrude drinks from the poisoned cup to kill him.
- Explains that abrams, m. h., and boklund, gunnar, are the editors of the norton anthology of english literature.
- Cites jorgensen, paul a., lehmann, courtney, and starks. the tragedy of hamlet, prince of denmark.
2585 wordsRead More - Hamlet from a Feminist Perspectiveanalytical essayShakespeare’s Hamlet, shows strong prejudice against woman especially with such characters of Ophelia and Gertrude. Shakespeare created an interesting character with Gertrude; he created a character that sits in the middle of all the conflict and appears to not partake in much of it. However Gertrude does seem intent in defusing it at every possible chance she receives. Gertrude is a central figure in the play. She appears a great deal but doesn’t say much – implying mystery and creating an interesting uncertainty in the audience. Hamlet spends a lot of time dwelling on her marriage to Claudius and Shakespeare leaves many questions unanswered with Gertrude such as did she have an affair with Claudius behind old hamlets back? Why does she drink the poisoned wine that is intended for her son? Does she know it is poisoned? Gertrude is the mother of Hamlet and although they do not have a typical mother son relationship she does love him. Queen Gertrude is often interpreted by many as an adulterate, incestuous woman. Catherine Belsey states that typical interpretations of Hamlet maintain: ‘Gertrude a slut; and Shakespeare a patriarchal bard’ (Belsey,1997:34). Gertrude’s actions throughout the play could be read to show her to be a very passive character, far from a strong independent woman. This is shown with her obedience to Claudius, three times during the play, Gertrude is told to leave and each times she complies without hesitation. In Act 1, scene 2 Claudius says to Gertrude, ‘Madam, come’ (122). Then again, Act 3, scene 1, Claudius says to her, ‘Sweet Gertrude, leave us .’ (28), she complies with ; ‘I shall obey you’ (37). And finally, in Act 4, scene 1, Claudius say, ‘O Gertrude, come away!’ (28). This obedience that Gertrude ...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's hamlet shows strong prejudice against women especially with the characters of ophelia and gertrude.
- Analyzes how the feminist premise is that women are equal to men in intelligence but not in others such as aggression and strength.
- Analyzes how the queen's participation in the murder of ophelia is suggested strongly throughout the text. feminists view gertrude’s marriage to claudius not one of a sexual appetite but rather, the need to secure her many roles.
- Analyzes how feminist critics argue that gertrude's involvement in the deaths of characters in hamlet is not really at issue at all.
- Cites ekici, sara, heilbrun, carolyn g., othello, and hamlet: feminist criticism.
- Cites ouditt, sharon, pearson, patricia, and yoshiko uéno in hamlet and japan.
1151 wordsRead More - Women In Hamletanalytical essayFirstly, Gertrude is introduced as a queen that clearly lacks independency. In the beginning of the play, she is as a character that always in need of a male existence next to her. Just “within a month” (I.II.149) after the late King Hamlet deceased, she already hurried herself to get another husband. This attitude of hers sickens Hamlet terribly; he cannot come to comprehend how his mother could behave less than a beast, for a beast “would have mourned longer” (I.II.150). Shakespeare sets the play with this idea that women are corrupted with sexual drive—and always in lust for it. Because Gertrude obediently follows her lustful inner soul, she goes on ahead with the marriage with Claudius—which Hamlet refers to as “incestuous” and “rotten”. The moment the marriage is royally held, Gertrude loses her credibility as a mother in Hamlet’s eyes. Adding to this, Shakespeare uses the character Gertrude to show indecisiveness and hollowness of women. The character ...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how prince hamlet's words in his first soliloquy underline how he feels about gertrude, the queen, and ophelia and women in general.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses the character gertrude to show indecisiveness and hollowness of women.
- Analyzes how ophelia's sobbing and madness after the death of polonius showcase how unconfident she is to have an agency of her own.
- Analyzes how shakespeare stresses that women who are completely oblivious to the corruption around them will end up doomed, and tragedy will occur.
- Analyzes how shakespeare showcases this idea through the portrayals of gertrude and ophelia. both characters are fiercely submissive to their male counterparts.
1061 wordsRead More - Final Essayanalytical essay...est for him, yet she does not know what is in the best interests of those around her and she does not seek out the opinions of others before making decisions. I can relate to Gertrude’s flaw because I, too, often forget that I do not always know best. I forget that often times people need time and to be left alone; that some things will not get better overnight and there is nothing I can do to fix the issues but wait. If Gertrude had been more patient with the issues in her life, such as should she give hamlet the throne after her husband’s death, she might have done things differently. Yet, Gertrude was a “fixer” who wanted fast solutions to long term problems, and she believed that she knew best, even when she did not. This caused her to make bad decisions throughout the course of the play. Her flaws are what make her relatable, as well as what makes her human.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hamlet's characters reflect the true nature of mankind. claudius embodies the flaw of desire for power; the dead king suffers from the human ailment of revenge; hamlets struggles with his understanding of the world around him.
- Opines that gertrude's motives in marrying claudius were not selfish, or that she had any hand in murdering the king.
- Opines that gertrude is making a mistake when she has rosencrantz and guildenstern spy on hamlet.
- Analyzes how gertrude believes that the two friends of hamlet will be able to help him, and sends in spies to be her eyes and ears instead of waiting for him to get better by himself.
- Analyzes how gertrude makes rash decisions based off of little observation. she wants to fix everything, but doesn't take the time or effort to figure out what is truly best for everyone around her.
- Analyzes how gertrude's flaws make her relatable and human. she loves her family and wants the best for them under all circumstances, yet she fails to make this known.
653 wordsRead More - What Made Hamlet so Crazy?analytical essayHamlet had experienced numerous occasions where he was betrayed and felt that the whole world around him was a prison. His admiration for his father, King Hamlet I, was shown by his grievance when his father passed away. His conversation with his mother, Queen Gertrude, portrays his grief towards his late father. “Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not seems. 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, nor customary suits of solemn black, nor windy suspiration of forced breath, no, nor the fruitful river in the eye, nor the dejected 'havior of the visage, together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, that can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,” for they are actions that a man might play. But I have that within which passeth show, These but the trappings and the suits of woe.” King Hamlet I was a superior king. He had passionate love for his queen. But, after his death, Queen Gertrude married Hamlet’s uncle, who is now King Claudius. Hamlet is now grieving even more and he is mentally unstable. He is suppressed by the actions of his mother and uncle. He does not have the ability to speak on this matter because he is in a state of betrayal and deceived by his own. He...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the term "insane" is used loosely when referring to the mentality of the great hamlet. the reasons behind the murder of polonius are ambiguous.
- Analyzes how hamlet felt that the world around him was a prison. his admiration for his father was shown by his grievance.
- Analyzes how the way king hamlet i died was the ideal cause that sparked his act of insanity.
- Analyzes how common sense isn't evident in hamlet's statement that he will become insane in the future.
- Analyzes how hamlet's astute mentality convinces his childhood friends, rosencrantz and guildenstern, to tell them what his problem is and why he is acting strangely.
- Analyzes how hamlet's response to the killing of polonius is, "a bloody deed? almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry with his brother."
- Analyzes how polonius and king claudius set a plan to find out if hamlet's craziness is related to his love for ophelia.
1377 wordsRead More - Hamlet:The Enigmatic Characteranalytical essayHamlet: one of the most analyzed tragic heroes in all of literature. Hamlet, the main character in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is conflicted throughout the whole play. He obsesses over avenging his father’s death, and this leads to rash, irresponsible actions that cause others to suffer, as well. He plans to kill Claudius, his uncle, for murdering his father and then marrying his mother. In an act of outrage, Hamlet unknowingly kills Polonius, the King’s assistant, instead. This creates even more problems because now someone else’s father is dead. Hamlet is somewhat of an inconsistent character; he’s different almost every time we see him. Hamlet displays characteristics of depression, irony, timidity, and being hurt.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes hamlet as one of the most analyzed tragic heroes in all of literature. he obsesses over avenging his father's death, and this leads to rash, irresponsible actions that cause others to suffer.
- Analyzes how hamlet shows serious signs of depression from the beginning of the play to the end.
- Opines that hamlet's mourning duties to his father are sweet and commendable, but persevering in obstinate condolement is a course of impious stubbornness.
- Opines that hamlet had every right to mourn, and he thought it appropriate that his mother should mourn.
- Analyzes how hamlet creates an ironic mess of things. he says and plans to do one thing but ends up doing the exact opposite.
- Analyzes how hamlet has trouble killing his uncle, but he does not have trouble causing the death of his friends, guildenstern and rosencrantz.
- Analyzes how hamlet shows signs of being scared and insecure through his actions and lack thereof. he spends a lot of time investigating and making sure that his uncle really committed the murder.
- Analyzes how hamlet and ophelia have a rollercoaster relationship.
- Opines that if a man says he loves you, it fits his wisdom so far to believe it. then weigh what loss your honour may sustain.
- Narrates how she promised him she would be careful and listen to him. her father warns her.
- Analyzes how hamlet's rudeness towards ophelia and gertrude’s marriage, and potential affair, had a big impact on him.
- Analyzes how hamlet has been hurt by some of the people he loves most. he was upset when his father was murdered, and angry that his mother married his uncle.
- Analyzes how hamlet's death exemplifies his role as the tragic hero, showing signs of depression, irony, timidity, and being hurt.
- Explains that "hamlet." shakespearean criticism. ed. michelle lee. vol. 92. detroit: gale, 2005. literature resource center.
- Explains meyer, michael, the bedford introduction to literature: reading, thinking, writing.
- States that o'neill, william, "doing and performing in hamlet." the midwest quarterly 53.2 (2012): 121+.
- Describes the shmoop editorial team's "hamlet in hamlet."
1435 wordsRead More - Difference Outlooks of the Characters in Shakespeare’s Hamletanalytical essayAll throughout William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, every single member of the dramatis personae seem to stand for or have a certain outlook on something. These characteristics however when explored, are only skin deep. These characters truly act the opposite on the inside. The real thoughts and feelings are hidden under the charade. It is ironic that while these people are in a play, they truly are acting. They fool everyone into believing what they want them to believe, with unknown (sometimes) dishonest intentions. The Aunt Queen Gertrude and Ophelia, do what a large percentage of females do: they hide the complete obvious pain in their lives, they pretend that is isn’t there when in fact the reality is it hurts them on a daily basis. Then there is Claudius, the new king of Denmark, and the executioner of his brother in cold blood. On the surface he appears to be a loving king, ready to fill the shoes of Hamlets beloved father. The real Claudius is nothing like that. He is an evil man who will let nothing stand in the way of what he desires. Finally, there is the star of the play, Prince Hamlet himself. Hamlet is a very intelligent man, but he doesn’t show how smart he is to everyone. Instead he shows everybody his lunacy, whether or not it is real or a lie. Lies and deceit may be a central theme in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but they are also the cornerstone of the play.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how each member of the dramatis personae stands for or have a certain outlook on something, but the real thoughts and feelings are hidden under the charade.
- Analyzes how claudius lies to the world in a completely different way. he must retire the evil murderer and embrace hamlet as if he were his own son that everyone sees him as.
- Analyzes how claudius' heart warming façade and genuine cruelness wash away as he starts to feel guilt for his sins. he could lose his throne and his wife, queen gertrude.
- Analyzes how hamlet's deceit leads to numerous people getting hurt throughout the course of the play. he must have accepted this in order to get his revenge.
- Analyzes how everyone in hamlet deceives someone, mostly because they want to shield themselves from the pain of getting hurt. ophelia and gertrude are looking for their dream world. claudius wants to live the rest of his life as the king of denmark.
- Analyzes how the female protagonists hide behind their own deceit the most. gertrude refuses to accept that claudius murdered her husband to inherit the throne.
- Analyzes how hamlet's deceit is shown by the hero of the play — he plays mental games with everyone, verbally assaults them, and becomes violent. scholars and literary critics have been arguing for centuries over whether or not his madness is real.
1623 wordsRead More - The Innocence of Gertrude and Ophelia “Pretty Ophelia,” as Claudius calls her, is the most innocent victim of Hamlet’s revenge in Shakespeare ’s play Hamlet. Hamlet has fallen in love with Ophelia after the death of his father. Ophelia “sucked the honey of his music vows” and returned Hamlet’s affection. But when her father had challenged Hamlet’s true intentions, Ophelia could only say: “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.”
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how gertrude and ophelia are the most innocent victims of hamlet's revenge in shakespeare’s play.
- Analyzes how hamlet has the disillusion that women are frail after his mother’s rushed remarriage. ophelia's unexplained rejection of him only adds to him.
- Analyzes the similarities between gertrude and ophelia in the play. both are attractive and simple minded, and easily shaped by opinion, desires and ideas of others.
- Analyzes how gertrude turns to the positive side of life and can't bear to face pain. the pain she felt after her adultery with claudius may have motivated him to murder her husband
- Analyzes how gertrude is guilty of only looking out for her own happiness. she must convince hamlet to accept her new marriage and forget his father's death.
- Analyzes how when hamlet and gertrude meet, she says that she has dishonored his father. she tries to end the conversation quickly rather than face his disapproval.
- Analyzes how gertrude avoids seeing ophelia's death and mental breakdown as proof of the evil caused by her behavior, thus making her feel innocent.
- Analyzes how gertrude's guiltiness and ophelia’s innocence help make this play such a tragedy. both women were similar because they were shaped easily by other’
719 wordsRead More