Gertrude Deception In Hamlet

Deception is found throughout play writing history. Many play writers use this act as a pivotal part of the story. Deception is the act of making someone believe something that is not true (Merriam-Webster). This act is exemplified in many characters throughout the history of story telling. Hamlet by William Shakespeare is no exception of this dark act. Queen Gertrude consistently deceives not only her own son, Hamlet, but also the people of Denmark. Her actions ultimately lead to Hamlet’s madness and loss of respect and love for his mother. Hamlet feels that her incestuous marriage with Claudius was a betrayal of his late father, King Hamlet. However once Hamlet discovers the man she married, his Uncle Claudius, was responsible for his fathers

While there are many theories surrounding Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship, there is no mistake of their “break up”. Claudius, oblivious to Hamlet’s knowledge of his role in killing King Hamlet, attests Hamlet’s madness to his recent separation with Ophelia. Gertrude, knowing the true reason for his behavior, says, “I doubt it is no other but the main / His father’s death and our marriage” (2.2.59-69). Yet this does not object to Polonius’s theory that Hamlet is heart broken over Ophelia. Proving Gertrude not only deceptive to her son, but also her new husband and countrymen. Accordingly, the Queen could have prevented adding to Hamlet’s condition by saving Ophelia. Despite the couple’s split, there is no question that they still love each other. In fact, Ophelia slowly begins to dip into madness after Hamlet’s abrupt departure from her. Additionally, after her father’s death, Ophelia has many conversations with Gertrude. Gertrude recognizes Ophelia slipping into madness by her constant singing and dysfunctional characteristics. Both she and Claudius witness Ophelia, filled with grief, sing about the loss of her father and Hamlet. Gertrude could have offered the truth to Ophelia so she could understand the truth behind Hamlet’s madness. However the deceptive Queen does not tell her the truth, and later admits Ophelia drowned, “One woe doth tread upon another heel, / So fast they follow, your sister’s drowned, Laertes”(4.7.187-188). Ophelia’s death does not primarily lay on the shoulders of her own madness, but also the shoulders of Gertrude. The death of Ophelia breaks Hamlet’s heart and he begins to act even more