Gertrude’s Emotional Growth In Hamlet
Elizabethan-era women, while more liberated than their medieval counterparts, were expected to always obey and do the husband’s bidding. Hamlet begins with Queen Gertrude, who is an Elizabethan woman. She repeats every statement made by her husband Claudius. Gertrude, after Hamlet has persuaded her, begins to doubt the quickness of her remarriage. She finally breaks free when she discovers that Claudius has betrayed her. She warns Hamlet against the poisoned glass. Shakespeare’s Gertrude undergoes a dramatic emotional change, beginning with her dependence upon Claudius. Then, she begins to question her actions. Finally, she betrays Claudius for the sake of saving her son Hamlet.
Gertrude opens the play as Claudius’s supporter, backing him up in every sentence. She is the widow of the King who has died, and she has more power than Claudius. However, she does not use it. Claudius, who has just been crowned, first praises Hamlet before he criticizes him. Hamlet’s nature is admirable and sweet. “This is unmanly sorrow” (1.2.90-98) Gertrude adds to Claudius long speech, in which Claudius advises Hamlet not to leave Elsinore. Hamlet, do not let her mother’s prayers be lost. “I beseech thee, remain with us” (1.2.122 – 123). Gertrude’s court actions are similar to Claudius. Gertrude, by her speech, reinforces and skillfully reshapes the orders given by her husband (Dash 115). Despite the fact that she has full authority over Elsinore to do what she likes, Gertrude’s character seems weakly dependent upon her new husband and King. At the beginning of the play, she assumes a more dependent role, thinking she can balance her various functions. She only realizes the absurdity of this assumption as the drama progresses and begins to define herself more clearly.
Gertrude’s self-confidence and character develop as the play progresses. The Queen discovers Claudius’ treachery in the scene where Hamlet and the queen are hiding out. Hamlet attacks his mother verbally before telling her that Claudius is the real culprit: “O Shame, Where Is Thy Blush?” (3.4.91). Gertrude, unable to accept her son’s criticism, and realizing her error, responds: “O Hamlet! Speak no more!”/Thou turn’st me eyes into my soul (3.4.99-100). Her actions reveal a growing conscience. Gertrude’s own opinion begins to develop as she realizes her husband has lied about her (Wright 43). Gertrude does not act under the influence her husband. Hamlet informs Gertrude of Claudius’s pretended madness and his plot at the conclusion to the closet scene. Gertrude finds herself in a tough situation due to conflicting loyalties of her new husband with her son. Hamlet asks that his mother does not reveal to Claudius any of the new information she’s learned. Gertrude is a dependent woman and would normally run to her spouse to share what she’s learned. However, the Queen changed her personality. Gertrude decides to support her son by not telling Claudius the whole truth. The scene is the first time Gertrude has been uncertain about Claudius. For the very first time she is forced to make a choice between her son and husband (Dash123). Gertrude shows more independence and confidence in her actions. Despite her continued loyalty to her husband’s side, she shows signs of separating herself.
Gertrude leaves Claudius during the final scenes. Gertrude knows about Claudius’ treachery after the closet scene. Gertrude’s handkerchief is used to wipe Hamlet’s brow in the duel. Gertrude then drinks in celebration of Hamlet’s success. Claudius tells Gertrude not to drink, but she says “I will. Please forgive me, my Lord.” The Queen’s declaration of independence comes when she replies “I am, my God, I beg you to pardon me.” Claudius has poisoned her cup. Gertrude warns her son in her dying breath of the plot her husband has planned: “No, No, the Drink, the Drink! Hamlet, O!/ Drink, drink! “I’m poisoned” (5.2.341-341). The Queen’s words at the end show how she has changed from being dependent on Claudius, to becoming independent and thinking for herself. She is no more a follower of Claudius. He allowed her poison to be consumed, and now she has turned on him.
Gertrude’s evolution throughout the drama shows her liberation and progress to become a modern woman. Gertrude appears in the play’s first scene sitting beside her husband, supporting everything he said. As she becomes aware of Claudius’s sins, her loyalty to him slowly fades away and she begins to turn to Hamlet. Gertrude is shown betraying her spouse and trying to protect her son. Hamlet depicts Gertrude as she gradually transforms from a dependent woman to a free queen. Unfortunately, this change is too late and Gertrude dies.
