"Hamlet"

Paper Summary:

This paper focuses on the character of Gertrude in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," in which Hamlet describes her when he declares, "Frailty, thy name is woman." This paper contains a detailed study and examination of the significant scenes in which Gertrude appears and shows Hamlet's characterization to be accurate. The writer of this paper sees Gertrude as a shallow woman who is ruled by her sensuality as she lusts for her brother-in-law Claudius and while she does occasionally admit to guilt about certain things, she never specifies what those things are.

From the Paper:

"The most significant appearance of Gertrude in Hamlet is Act III, Scene iv, where Hamlet confronts his mother in her chambers. There is much of importance in this scene. At the end of it, we learn that Gertrude is indeed the shallow, sensual woman Hamlet fears she is and wishes she was not. Hamlet begins the confrontation by refusing to acknowledge the legitimacy of Gertrude's remarriage. He calls her "your husband's brother's wife" (III. iv. 16). Yes, Gertrude is Clauidus' wife, but she is first defined through the dead king, her husband, as Hamlet claims. This emphasizes the unjust and improper nature of her marriage. Hamlet goes even further in accusing his mother after he kills Polonius. Gertrude calls the killing "a rash and bloody deed," to which Hamlet replies, "A bloody deed - almost as bad, good Mother, / As kill a king, and marry with his brother" (III. iv. 28-30). Hamlet is directly accusing his mother here. She has broken her wedding vows through a murder, in which she was an accomplice."

More papers on "Hamlet":

• Analytical Essay # 5961 : "Hamlet"
• Analytical Essay # 4431 : "Hamlet": Act III Scene II"
• Analytical Essay # 3438 : "Reading Hamlet as a Murder Mystery"
• Analytical Essay # 2086 : "The Other Type Of Hero: The Tragedy of Hamlet"

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