Gertrude
Queen of DenmarkHamlet's mother, who hastily married Claudius after her husband's death.
Gertrude Character Analysis Summary
Gertrude remains one of Shakespeare's most enigmatic characters, with her true motivations and level of complicity in Claudius's crimes deliberately left unclear. Her ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations - from innocent victim to willing accomplice - making her a complex figure who embodies the play's themes of appearance versus reality.
Gertrude's quick marriage to Claudius - within a month of her husband's death - becomes the source of Hamlet's initial disgust and moral outrage. This act violates both mourning customs and Hamlet's sense of his mother's loyalty, suggesting either political pragmatism, genuine affection for Claudius, or moral weakness.
Despite Hamlet's harsh treatment of her, Gertrude consistently shows maternal concern for her son. Her attempts to mediate between Hamlet and Claudius, her worry about his behavior, and her protective instincts during the closet scene reveal genuine maternal love, even as she struggles to understand his actions.
Gertrude's marriage to Claudius can be viewed as a politically astute move that ensures stability for Denmark and maintains her position as queen. In a patriarchal society, her remarriage provides protection and continuity of power, suggesting she may be more politically aware than she initially appears.
Gertrude appears genuinely shocked by Hamlet's accusations about Claudius in the closet scene, suggesting either complete ignorance of her husband's crimes or remarkable self-deception. Her inability to see the Ghost may symbolize her moral blindness or her disconnection from the supernatural realm of guilt and retribution.
Hamlet's obsession with his mother's sexuality reflects Elizabethan anxieties about female desire and remarriage. Gertrude's physical relationship with Claudius becomes a source of disgust for Hamlet, who cannot reconcile his idealized image of his mother with her sexual autonomy as a woman.
The confrontation with Hamlet in her private chamber marks a turning point for Gertrude. Hamlet's brutal honesty about her marriage forces her to confront uncomfortable truths about her choices, leading to what appears to be genuine remorse and a shift in her loyalties.
Gertrude becomes increasingly trapped between her son and husband as the play progresses. Her position becomes untenable as she's forced to choose between competing loyalties, ultimately becoming a victim of the masculine power struggle that destroys the Danish court.
Gertrude's death by poison - whether accidental or a conscious choice to protect Hamlet - represents her final act of maternal love. Her drinking from the poisoned cup, despite Claudius's warning, suggests either tragic accident or deliberate self-sacrifice, providing a moment of redemption for her character.
Famous Quotes & Analysis
"Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off, and let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark."
— Act I, Scene II
Analysis: Gertrude's maternal concern is expressed through metaphors of darkness and light. Her request to "cast thy nighted color off" reveals her desire for normalcy while showing her inability to understand the depth of Hamlet's grief and moral outrage.
"O, Hamlet, speak no more! Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct."
— Act III, Scene IV
Analysis: This powerful metaphor of stained conscience reveals Gertrude's moment of self-recognition. The imagery of permanent staining suggests irreversible moral corruption, while her plea for Hamlet to stop shows her psychological breaking point.
"There is a willow grows aslant a brook, that shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream..."
— Act IV, Scene VII
Analysis: Gertrude's poetic description of Ophelia's death transforms tragedy into beauty through elaborate natural imagery. The pastoral language may mask her own guilt while creating one of literature's most haunting death scenes.
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
— Act III, Scene II
Analysis: This ironic observation about the Player Queen's vows of eternal fidelity reveals Gertrude's unconscious self-awareness. Her comment suggests recognition of her own broken promises while maintaining psychological distance from self-condemnation.
"I will not speak with her."
— About Ophelia, Act IV, Scene V
Analysis: Gertrude's initial refusal to see the mad Ophelia reveals her avoidance of painful truths. Her reluctance suggests guilt about her role in the family's destruction and fear of confronting the consequences of the court's corruption.