Women and their place in the world has always been disputed. Back in the Elizabethan Era when Shakespeare was alive, women were expected to more or less be completely subservient to men, whether it be their husbands, brothers, or even sons. Females were even lower than males on the Great Chain of Being that categorized everything in existence in order of closeness to God. They were seen as creatures who were more inclined to sin, to seduce men, and overall needed to be looked after. Therefore, in Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the women in the play are subject to this treatment as well, especially Gertrude, the newly married Queen of Denmark. With her husband’s recent death, her innocence is brought into question; however, while she likely
…show more content…
In fact, it is implied by the ghost of King Hamlet that it is Claudius who may have in fact went after her: “O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power / So to seduce--! Won to his shameful lust / The will of my most seemingly-virtuous queen.” (Act I, Sc 5, 51-53). Though Gertrude’s virtue is questioned here with the addition of ‘seemingly’, it is still Claudius’ cunning that is emphasized and attributed to their relationship. The willingness of Gertrude to even be Claudius’s queen could in itself be compromised even further; if she had not married the new king, it is likely she would not have been able to remain queen herself, which again reflects the idea at the time that men were more fit to rule than women. The only other alternative would be to retire to a convent for the rest of her days, as it would go in those days, which obviously would not be a life she is used to and would require leaving everything she has known. Therefore, it could easily be more of a matter of wanting stability, which a marriage to Claudius would provide. Claudius could also help fill in the hole that the death of the king left inside her, as well. Any sort of way it is spun, regardless she is surprised when Hamlet accuses her of purposely being with Claudius to incite …show more content…
Gertrude is seen as a true, benevolent, nonviolent mother figure; which is likely what a Shakespearean audience, who do not expect the same thrilling tale of homicide from the mouth of a woman, would expect. However, this too could be debated, but such is an interesting point in Hamlet: no one in the play is completely just or completely evil. While corruption can stem from an individual person, it will affect everyone around it, dragging them into the darkness until eventually they need to be cleansed, in the play’s case by death. No matter if Gertrude is innocent or guilty or any sort of shade in between, she too is subject to this. However, it is implied she is at least not as sinful as Claudius, for the ghost tells Hamlet: “But, howsomever thou pursues this act, / Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive / Against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven / And to those thorny that in her bosom lodge / To prick and sting her.” (Act I, Sc 5, 91-95). The ghost of King Hamlet tells his son that he should not pursue his mother like he should Claudius. Heaven, he says, is who should deal with Gertrude, who may not be completely innocent but has still not constituted any action from Hamlet, which implies she is better off than Claudius
In fact, it is implied by the ghost of King Hamlet that it is Claudius who may have in fact went after her: “O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power / So to seduce--! Won to his shameful lust / The will of my most seemingly-virtuous queen.” (Act I, Sc 5, 51-53). Though Gertrude’s virtue is questioned here with the addition of ‘seemingly’, it is still Claudius’ cunning that is emphasized and attributed to their relationship. The willingness of Gertrude to even be Claudius’s queen could in itself be compromised even further; if she had not married the new king, it is likely she would not have been able to remain queen herself, which again reflects the idea at the time that men were more fit to rule than women. The only other alternative would be to retire to a convent for the rest of her days, as it would go in those days, which obviously would not be a life she is used to and would require leaving everything she has known. Therefore, it could easily be more of a matter of wanting stability, which a marriage to Claudius would provide. Claudius could also help fill in the hole that the death of the king left inside her, as well. Any sort of way it is spun, regardless she is surprised when Hamlet accuses her of purposely being with Claudius to incite …show more content…
Gertrude is seen as a true, benevolent, nonviolent mother figure; which is likely what a Shakespearean audience, who do not expect the same thrilling tale of homicide from the mouth of a woman, would expect. However, this too could be debated, but such is an interesting point in Hamlet: no one in the play is completely just or completely evil. While corruption can stem from an individual person, it will affect everyone around it, dragging them into the darkness until eventually they need to be cleansed, in the play’s case by death. No matter if Gertrude is innocent or guilty or any sort of shade in between, she too is subject to this. However, it is implied she is at least not as sinful as Claudius, for the ghost tells Hamlet: “But, howsomever thou pursues this act, / Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive / Against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven / And to those thorny that in her bosom lodge / To prick and sting her.” (Act I, Sc 5, 91-95). The ghost of King Hamlet tells his son that he should not pursue his mother like he should Claudius. Heaven, he says, is who should deal with Gertrude, who may not be completely innocent but has still not constituted any action from Hamlet, which implies she is better off than Claudius