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In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Gertrude is portrayed as a passive character whose thoughts and expressions are not dwelled upon so that attention is retained on the emotional catastrophe of Hamlet; however, Shakespeare never cleared her intentions which would eventually fuel the fire of vengeance and hatred in the heart of Hamlet. Also, in the “closet scene”, Hamlet accuses Gertrude of treason and she is to some extent guilty; but her thoughts remain unsaid so that the audience sympathise with Hamlet and doubt her loyalty; and also doubt whether she knows the role that Claudius had played in the murder of king Hamlet.
Although all the tragic events occurred, Gertrude did witness everything, including the death of Ophelia but Shakespeare did not mention her suffering and emotions for that would have sidetracked from Hamlet; his feigned madness and thirst for revenge. Gertrude in the Gravedigger Scene does speak for herself by scattering flowers upon Ophelia’s grave but says not a single word of speech or a Soliloquy, she is portrayed by Shakespeare as keeping away from things that could be unpleasant for her, unlike Hamlet who is drowning in his own exclusivities of having to live with death.
Therefore, Shakespeare decides not to let people see the point of view of Gertrude. With this thought, great decisions were taken by Shakespeare such that the thought being made inside Gertrude should not be known by the people. Instead, Shakespeare gives importance to the emotional disorder of Hamlet and makes Gertrude a riddle for the audience.
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is famously introspective, delving deeply into the psyche of its troubled protagonist. However, Gertrude’s perspective is notably underexplored. This omission might be deliberate, reflecting the era’s gender norms that often sidelined women’s voices in literature. By keeping Gertrude’s inner thoughts opaque, Shakespeare heightens the play’s tension and mystery.
Gertrude’s ambiguity serves as a narrative tool, allowing audiences to project their interpretations onto her actions and motivations. Is she complicit in King Hamlet’s murder, or merely a pawn? This enigma surrounding her character adds layers to the drama, forcing us to question the reliability of Hamlet’s own perspective.
Shakespeare’s choice also underscores the play’s exploration of appearance versus reality. Gertrude’s silence becomes a powerful statement, a void that invites speculation and deepens the tragedy’s emotional complexity. Her enigmatic presence keeps audiences engaged, pondering her true nature long after the final act.
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” predominantly centers on the male protagonist, Prince Hamlet, and his complex internal struggles, often overshadowing other characters’ perspectives. Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother and Queen of Denmark, is one such character whose inner life and motivations are not thoroughly explored.
Shakespeare’s focus on Hamlet’s quest for revenge and existential questions leads to a narrative where Gertrude’s role is more peripheral. She is primarily portrayed through Hamlet’s eyes, reflecting his disappointment and anger rather than her own perspective. Her character is often seen as either a tool in Hamlet’s revenge or as a source of personal betrayal, rather than as an individual with her own psychological depth and motivations.
Furthermore, the patriarchal context of the time likely influenced Shakespeare’s portrayal of female characters. In Elizabethan drama, women often have secondary roles and are shaped more by male characters’ perceptions than by their own narrative arcs. As a result, Gertrude’s true feelings and perspectives remain less developed, serving more as a backdrop to Hamlet’s story rather than being fully explored in her own right. This limitation reflects broader historical trends in literature and gender representation.