Gertrude
Hamlet (left) and Gertrude (right) in Kenneth Branagh's
Hamlet
Status: Secondary character in play. Widow of Old King Hamlet, married to Claudius, mother of Hamlet - high social hierarchical status.
Purpose: No real “purpose” much like Ophelia however she seems to float towards security and pleasure.
Analysis:
- Gertrude is extremely sensual and is driven by her desires of station and affection. Gertrude is almost a physical representation of femininity in its most sexual and primitive sense. This explains why Gertrude is heavily (more than any other character) dependent on the men in her life, and how she simply uses them to fulfill her desires by comforting her and making her feel secure. However, because of this, Gertrude lacks intellect or real loyalty as she is simply driven by her pleasure seeking side. As such, Hamlet becomes furious at her because she is unable to critically think of what she is doing wrong when all she does is drift towards whoever can provide her with stability and affection. To which Claudius, just as much as Old King Hamlet, is able to do.
- Gertrude is really simple or really ambiguous. Gertrude is one of the most puzzling and uncertain characters in Shakespeare’s repertoire. However, it is not because Gertrude is extremely complex (like Hamlet), it is actually very much the opposite (she lacks depth and the play is vague when trying to get a sense of her motivations). Many questions arise surrounding Gertrude. Here are just a few examples: Did Gertrude love Old King Hamlet? Was she involved with Claudius before the death of her husband? Did and does she know that Claudius killed Old King Hamlet? Was she involved with the murder? Does she intentionally betray Hamlet to Claudius, or does she think she is protecting him by telling him that he is mad? Does Gertrude believe Hamlet when he says he is not mad? I have personal opinions on these however they are not definitive answers and cannot be taken to concretely describe her character.
I do not believe she loved Old King Hamlet, nor does she love Claudius. Gertrude seems to be driven only by lust and sexual desire, this is proven by the fact that she mourns very little for Old King Hamlet and does not hesitate to marry Claudius afterwards. The only time she seems to be experience guilt or regret from what she has done is when Hamlet shouts her and this is most likely in part from her breaking down from Hamlet’s words, not her own feelings. Likewise, I doubt very much that she knows about the fact that Claudius murdered Old King Hamlet, as based on Claudius’ prayer, it’s a secret that he only seems to keeps to himself.
Purpose: No real “purpose” much like Ophelia however she seems to float towards security and pleasure.
Analysis:
- Gertrude is extremely sensual and is driven by her desires of station and affection. Gertrude is almost a physical representation of femininity in its most sexual and primitive sense. This explains why Gertrude is heavily (more than any other character) dependent on the men in her life, and how she simply uses them to fulfill her desires by comforting her and making her feel secure. However, because of this, Gertrude lacks intellect or real loyalty as she is simply driven by her pleasure seeking side. As such, Hamlet becomes furious at her because she is unable to critically think of what she is doing wrong when all she does is drift towards whoever can provide her with stability and affection. To which Claudius, just as much as Old King Hamlet, is able to do.
- Gertrude is really simple or really ambiguous. Gertrude is one of the most puzzling and uncertain characters in Shakespeare’s repertoire. However, it is not because Gertrude is extremely complex (like Hamlet), it is actually very much the opposite (she lacks depth and the play is vague when trying to get a sense of her motivations). Many questions arise surrounding Gertrude. Here are just a few examples: Did Gertrude love Old King Hamlet? Was she involved with Claudius before the death of her husband? Did and does she know that Claudius killed Old King Hamlet? Was she involved with the murder? Does she intentionally betray Hamlet to Claudius, or does she think she is protecting him by telling him that he is mad? Does Gertrude believe Hamlet when he says he is not mad? I have personal opinions on these however they are not definitive answers and cannot be taken to concretely describe her character.
I do not believe she loved Old King Hamlet, nor does she love Claudius. Gertrude seems to be driven only by lust and sexual desire, this is proven by the fact that she mourns very little for Old King Hamlet and does not hesitate to marry Claudius afterwards. The only time she seems to be experience guilt or regret from what she has done is when Hamlet shouts her and this is most likely in part from her breaking down from Hamlet’s words, not her own feelings. Likewise, I doubt very much that she knows about the fact that Claudius murdered Old King Hamlet, as based on Claudius’ prayer, it’s a secret that he only seems to keeps to himself.