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Gertrude Character Analysis In Hamlet

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The enigmatic Gertrude is one of the hardest characters to analyze in Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. With no soliloquies, it makes it more challenging understanding her point of view during the play. By looking at her actions based on her unjust choices and how her character affects Hamlet, it makes it more clear to interpret her. By basing her character off the decisions she makes, eventually they lead to a downfall of others, such as her son. In the play, Hamlet by Shakespeare, the mysterious Gertrude makes the questionable decision to marry Claudius, and this unwise action that follows the decision affects Hamlet’s character making him more mad and thus changes his view on women during this time period.
Throughout the story, Gertrude …show more content…

When considering the previous paragraph, it makes sense that Gertrude 's character does not have any soliloquies, meaning her emotions are only shadowed others. This also makes Gertrude mysterious to the audience, making one view her decisions from another angle. It could be possible that Gertrude was acting ignorant and like a child, hiding a darker side to her, like how Hamlet planned to act insane. If she too created a plan, then it would be because she was plotting with Claudius to kill King Hamlet, also explaining why she married him so quickly. This assumption is not accurate, but it is an example of how her character is peculiar and can be looked at in many ways. Her decision to drink the poisoned wine also sparks questioning. Even when Claudius told her to not drink the wine, she did so anyways. This action, of drinking the wine could mean that she is just ignorant or she was trying to protect Hamlet. She states, “Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows. The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet” (V, ii, 283). By drinking the wine, she would protect her son and sacrifice herself for him, so he would not mistakenly drink it. Whether or not the choices she makes are wise or not makes it more confusing for the reader. While Shakespeare’s intention to make Gertrude a flat character, with the trait of being mysterious yet unmindful, it gives the reader enough space to interpret her, deciding if she is aware of the story’s situation or

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