Essay On Gertrude's Betrayal In Hamlet

The relationship one has with his family directly affects the relationship he has with other people. In the face of abrupt change, he has the choice to be calm and understanding, or chaotic and intolerant. In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the main character is the latter. Hamlet acts as a petulant child and refuses act rationally. Due to his mother’s treachery towards him and his father, Hamlet believes that enemies are disguised as friends and, thus, cannot be trusted. Gertrude betrays Hamlet by marrying his uncle unreasonably soon after his father’s death causing his personality change. Hamlet’s “aunt-mother” (2.2.361-362) acknowledges that her “o’erhasty marriage” (2.2.56-57) to Claudius is the most likely reason for Hamlet’s unusual untrusting behavior. Gertrude’s realization that his inappropriate actions are indeed her fault proves her betrayal. By claiming her marriage was too quick, she takes the blame for her son’s instability. Because of this guilt, …show more content…
Prior to the voyage to England Hamlet claims he will trust Rosencrantz and Guildenstern “as [he] will adders fanged” (3.4.208). In the Bible, the snake is maliciously cunning and Satan uses it as a messenger to trick Eve into committing a sinful act. In the play, Claudius uses Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to deliver the order for Hamlet’s death. This comparison of his old schoolmates to poisonous snakes truly emphasizes Hamlet’s inability to trust and his belief that his friends are deceitful. When he finds out that Claudius orders him to be killed by a letter delivered by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet changes the letter so that “the bearers put to sudden death, no shriving time allowed” (5.2.48-49). Hamlet shows no remorse in ordering the deaths of his longtime friends. This lack of regret exposes the drastic way the betrayal of his mother has changed