Ophelia lived and died with a set of self made chains on her hands and feet , only breaking free upon her death. Ophelia, a subserviant fragile character sought approval from those around her, even to the point of sacrificing her own desires. Similiarly, Gertrude a shallow character in the play " Hamlet" by Shakespeare, found herself feeling desperate and seeking approval in others. Both characters lives' were dominated by men rather than they themselves choosing their paths, and were portrayed as rather weak, fragile and dependent of others. Gertrude, suffered the crisis of losing her husband the king. Acting accordingly to her nature as a dependent women lost without the support and love of a man, remarried after only 2 months. This marriage was considered taboo for two reasons. Not only did she marry so soon but it was her dead husband's brother Claudius. This incestuous union outraged her beloved son, Hamlet. Although Hamlet confronted her, insulting her and degrating her behavior. she just shrugged off what he was saying. She was so submissive she did not defend herself . Gertrude
did not react much to anything. An instance of this was at one point, the king suggested ((())) This proves that she would even be willing to send her son away to please someone. She was so weak and unable to stand up for herself, for the reason of keeping others complacent. Gertrude had no sense of self. She seemed almost lost at times. She had been trying to find herself but she never really did.One may view her as lost because she just didn't seem to be aware of what was going on. One might say that she was aware but did not confront the situation. It is suprising to the reader that she is oblivious of the murder plot of her husband, unaware of her son's feelings to the marriage and the incentuous nature of it. She doesn't question anything. She just accepts what is and lives with it. She had a weak mind and weak courage. She became even frailer after the death of her husband. In her weak and vulnerable state she prolonged her life untill she unknowingly drank from a poisoned cup. Persistent to her rather tragic life she died a tragic death. Although Gertrude seemed a rather depend
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