Gertrude shows signs of cracking after Hamlet kills Laertes, but the pivotal scene that shows her downfall is when she refuses to obey Claudius even after he asks her not to drink what he knows to be poison, “I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me.” (5. 2. 318) It is presumed that Gertrude knew she was disobeying her husband and this decision is what ultimately led to her death.
While Ophelia and Gertrude both die as a result of the tragedy in the play, each demonstrate different symbolism. Gertrude’s life was ended in a more abrupt, unexpected manner. She was defiant and drank from the poisoned cup, and it was all over. Ophelia’s death seems to be premeditated. Gertrude describes it to us:
When down her weedy trophies and herself/Fell in the …show more content…
But long it could not be/ Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, / Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay/ To muddy death. (4. 7. 199).
Rather than openly committing suicide, Ophelia’s death seems to be submissive. This is symbolic to the way she lived her life. Just as she lives her life passively, blindly obeying the men in her life until it drives her mad. It is suiting that her death would be the …show more content…
There is no extensive mourning or grief-stricken reaction from any of the characters in the play. Laertes says briefly, “Alas, then, she is drown'd?” (4.7. 209) and the queen even more briefly, “Drown'd, drown'd.” (4.7. 210). Ophelia’s passing is truly of minor significance at this point in the play. Likewise, when Queen Gertrude later drinks from the poisoned cup, she experiences a quick, quiet death: “No, no, the drink, the drink! O, my dear Hamlet!/ The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.” (5.2. 340-341). After the Queen’s last lines, there is not a second thought about her death, which could be because everyone else is also dying at the same time. Regardless, it seems that both Ophelia and Gertrude fade out of the play with little to no
While Ophelia and Gertrude both die as a result of the tragedy in the play, each demonstrate different symbolism. Gertrude’s life was ended in a more abrupt, unexpected manner. She was defiant and drank from the poisoned cup, and it was all over. Ophelia’s death seems to be premeditated. Gertrude describes it to us:
When down her weedy trophies and herself/Fell in the …show more content…
But long it could not be/ Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, / Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay/ To muddy death. (4. 7. 199).
Rather than openly committing suicide, Ophelia’s death seems to be submissive. This is symbolic to the way she lived her life. Just as she lives her life passively, blindly obeying the men in her life until it drives her mad. It is suiting that her death would be the …show more content…
There is no extensive mourning or grief-stricken reaction from any of the characters in the play. Laertes says briefly, “Alas, then, she is drown'd?” (4.7. 209) and the queen even more briefly, “Drown'd, drown'd.” (4.7. 210). Ophelia’s passing is truly of minor significance at this point in the play. Likewise, when Queen Gertrude later drinks from the poisoned cup, she experiences a quick, quiet death: “No, no, the drink, the drink! O, my dear Hamlet!/ The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.” (5.2. 340-341). After the Queen’s last lines, there is not a second thought about her death, which could be because everyone else is also dying at the same time. Regardless, it seems that both Ophelia and Gertrude fade out of the play with little to no