Gertrude's Character

The Different Sides of Gertrude's Personality

Various characters speak highly of Gertrude. While her relationship with Claudius is somewhat ambiguous, she acts courageously in defence of Claudius. You could say that Gertrude is easily manipulated at times.

Ghost's thoughts on Gertrude

Both the Ghost and Claudius speak tenderly of Gertrude.
The Ghost insists that Hamlet not turn his soul away from Gertrude and that he “leave her to heaven”.
However, the Ghost’s reference to the “thorns” that may “prick and sting her” suggest that the Ghost does not think Gertrude is entirely faultless and that her remarriage should cause her sharp feelings of guilt and shame.

Gertrude as Claudius' motive

Claudius lists “my queen” as one of his motives for the murder of his brother, suggesting a long-standing sexual attraction towards her.

Ambiguity: Claudius & Gertrude

But the true nature of Claudius and Gertrude's relationship is difficult to determine. Apart from one scene, every time we see them together they are in public and so are likely to behave in a loving manner towards each other.
It is perhaps significant that, the only time we see them alone together (A4S1), they both hide an important truth from each other – Gertrude of her knowledge of the old King’s murder and Claudius of his plan to have Hamlet assassinated.

Gertrude's courage for Claudius

However, when Claudius is in danger from Laertes’ arrival at court with a group of angry followers, Gertrude acts courageously, with Claudius’ line, “Let him go, Gertrude”, indicating that she has physically tried to block Laertes from her husband.

Gertrude's sensitivity

Gertrude is capable of sensitivity and kindness.
Her lines recounting Ophelia’s death are perhaps the most beautiful and most tender in the entire play. Gertrude may be deliberately hiding from Laertes the fact that Ophelia might have committed suicide to spare his feelings.

Easily manipulated?

Gertrude allows herself to be manipulated at times. She is easily persuaded to allow Polonius to hide in her room to eavesdrop on Hamlet.
- However, you could argue that this is Gertrude seeking help in diagnosing what is wrong with her son. She is clearly deeply worried about Hamlet’s behaviour and cannot stop expressing her sympathy for the “poor wretch” who enters her chamber.

1Introduction

1.1Introduction & Background to Hamlet

1.1.1Introduction to Hamlet

1.1.2The Literary Tradition of the Hamlet Story

1.1.3Introduction to the Settings in Hamlet

1.1.4Introduction to Social Issues Raised

2Plot Summary

2.1Act 1: Key Events & Ideas

2.1.1Act 1, Scene 1

2.1.2Act 1, Scene 2

2.1.3Act 1, Scene 3

2.1.4Act 1, Scenes 4-5

2.2Act 2: Key Events & Ideas

2.2.1Act 2, Scene 1

2.2.2Act 2, Scene 2

2.3Act 3: Key Events & Ideas

2.3.1Act 3, Scene 1: Key Events

2.3.2Act 3, Scene 1: Key Ideas

2.3.3Act 3, Scene 2

2.3.4Act 3, Scene 3

2.3.5Act 3, Scene 4

2.4Act 4: Key Events & Ideas

2.4.1Act 4, Scene 1

2.4.2Act 4, Scenes 2-3

2.4.3Act 4, Scene 4

2.4.4Act 4, Scene 5: Key Events

2.4.5Act 4, Scene 5: Key Ideas

2.4.6Act 4, Scene 6

2.4.7Act 4, Scene 7

2.5Act 5: Key Events & Ideas

2.5.1Act 5, Scene 1: Key Events

2.5.2Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events

2.5.3Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas

3Character Profiles

3.1Hamlet

3.1.1Hamlet's Speech & Mind

3.1.2Hamlet's Heroic Status

3.1.3Hamlet's State of Mind

3.1.4Hamlet's Indecision/Action Taking

3.2Claudius

3.2.1Claudius' Crime

3.2.2Changing Impressions of Claudius

3.3Gertrude

3.3.1Mystery & Hamlet's View of Gertrude

3.3.2Gertrude's Character

3.3.3Gertrude's Relationship with Hamlet

3.4Ophelia

3.4.1Ophelia

3.5Polonius

3.5.1Portrayal of Polonius & Treatment of Ophelia

3.5.2Polonius' Spying & Death

3.6Laertes

3.6.1Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia

3.6.2Laertes' Character Traits

4Key Themes

4.1Regicide in Hamlet

4.1.1Regicide in Hamlet

4.2Madness in Hamlet

4.2.1Madness in Hamlet

4.3Guilt & Punishment in Hamlet

4.3.1Guilt in Hamlet

4.3.2Punishment in Hamlet

4.4Settings in Hamlet

4.4.1Physical Settings & Historical Setting of Hamlet

5Writing Techniques

5.1Structure

5.1.1Structure of Hamlet

5.1.2'Play Within a Play' Structure

5.1.3Play-Acting Motif

5.2Form

5.2.1Soliloquy

5.2.2Comedy

5.3Imagery

5.3.1Imagery of Corruption & Decay

5.3.2Imagery: Healing, Performance & Costume

5.4Language

5.4.1Word Usage & Hendiadys

5.4.2Questions & Classical Allusions

6Context

6.1Social & Historical Context

6.1.1Elizabeth I & Succession

6.1.2Cosmic & Social Hierarchy

6.1.3Renaissance & Emergence of Humanism

6.1.4Regicide

6.1.5The Reformation

6.2Literary Context

6.2.1Seneca Tragedy

6.2.2The Revenge Tragedy

6.3Performance & Textual History

6.3.1Performance History of Hamlet

6.3.2Textual History of Hamlet

7Critical Debates

7.118-19th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.1.1Introduction to Critical Debates

7.1.218th Century Commentary on Hamlet

7.1.3Romantic Commentary on Hamlet

7.220th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.2.1Freudian Response to Hamlet

7.2.2Other Early 20th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.3Feminist Readings of Hamlet

7.3.1Introduction to Feminist Criticism

7.3.2Feminist Readings of Hamlet

7.3.3Presentation of Ophelia

7.4Marxist/Political Readings of Hamlet

7.4.1Introduction to Marxist Criticisms

7.4.2Marxist Readings of Hamlet

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