Gertrudes Innocence within Hamlet
Shakespeare?s, Hamlet, is interesting work that seems to force the audience to continually question the role/integrity of the characters involved. Throughout the play the reader must even determine if certain actions actually occurred and the significance that these events play on each character. As an audience we are asked to disagree/ agree with the stand that these characters take, and it is in the actions and comments of other characters that allow us to develop certain opinions towards these players. One particular player provides the reader with constant doubt as to her role in the death of King Hamlet, and that of course would be Queen Gertrude. Based on certain comments by Hamlet, the Ghost, and even her we can evaluate and form our own opinion concerning her guilt or innocence. I believe that the best way to approach discussion of Gertrude is to analyze the different comments and actions as the play progresses. It seems that the comments of Hamlet and Claudius along with those of Gertrude herself will be the most important for this discussion. During the first Act Claudius makes an address to the court, and it is here we have the introduction of Gertrude. She makes the statement to Hamlet for him to simply ?get over the
death ? because all beings must eventually pass on (Act I, Scene II, line 72). Not only has she said this in the short period her husband has passed, but she has also married in these two months. The reader immediately begins suspecting why Gertrude would be so eager for Hamlet to move on as easily as she has. In most cases we find society to be so attached to a loved one that moving on is both a long and difficult task. In the case of King Hamlet, his own wife was able to jump this sorrow and land in the arms of his brother, which as one can imagine, seems a bit strange. As we move on, we see Hamlet react to the hasty decision of his mother. He questions how his mother could have committed such an offense (adultery) and he even goes on to compare her to a beast (Act I Scene II line 150-159). Both the reader and Hamlet is unaware of any crime committed, besides possible incest, towards his father at this point. As the play continues Hamlet confronts what he thinks to be the ghost of his father. At this point the reader learns of the foul act committed towards King Hamlet and the involvement of Claudius. The ghost makes a comment concerning Claudius and his seduction of the Queen and the ghost remains unsure why such a change of heart could have occurred after entering the sacred vow of marriage (Act I scene V, lines 42-57). For it seems that both King Hamlet and son believe that ?thro
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 942
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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