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Essay / Analysis of the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude in Shakespeare's tragedy
William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet is recognized as a depiction of the inner workings of the human mind and sheds light on the internal struggle Hamlet faces after the death of his father. The cause of Hamlet's conflict is the sudden death of his father, his strained relationship with his mother, and the decisions she makes immediately after death. In William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, Hamlet's turbulent relationship with his mother, Gertrude, shows that dramatic changes in a person's circumstances can have a negative impact on their psyche. ASay no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay At the beginning of the play, the death of Hamlet's father leads Hamlet to isolate himself from others and become increasingly self-deprecating and cynical. Hamlet's speech contains self-deprecating language that reflects his many attempts to convince himself to act. Hamlet chastises himself by declaring himself a “rogue slave and peasant,” signaling that he is upset by his inability to act or avenge his father. Hamlet further condemns himself to inaction by repeatedly reprimanding himself. He calls himself a “muddy rascal” and an unmotivated “John-a-dreams.” Hamlet recognizes that he does not have the courage to take revenge, which is why he insists that his intentions are just dreams that will fail because they are based on a false reality. Furthermore, he questions his own ambition by highlighting his inner inability to act. Hamlet continues his self-deprecation by calling himself a "pigeon's liver" because he has not developed the courage to act. Psychologically, Hamlet discovers that the only way to face his fear is to repeatedly express his weakness. Hamlet calls himself an “ass” for failing to act, then bitterly remarks how “very brave” he was in neglecting his “dear father” who was murdered and whose “dear life” was vanquished. Toward the end of his speech, Hamlet acknowledges the futility of his thoughts, stating that he must "like a whore, unpack my heart with words." The only method Hamlet uses to deal with his self-doubt and indecision is through his soliloquies. Hamlet recognizes the existence of a motive in his case, namely the exciting story of the Ghost and the behavior of his mother; therefore, Hamlet dreams of fulfilling his duty to avenge his father's death. While Gertrude initially showed deep grief over the death of King Hamlet, she quickly turned to the comfort of others in order to find solace. Hamlet discovers everywhere he turns that people are not what they seem, starting with his own mother. His sense of justice becomes blurred – and his view of women is distorted because of his feelings towards Gertrude. Moreover, his mother's despondency seems to be the catalyst that transforms an expressive young man into a hesitant and reserved man who hides his innermost feelings. The characterization of Gertrude – as sensual and selfish – is provided by Hamlet and the Ghost. Hamlet frequently mentions his mother's sexuality and is obsessed with her relationship with Claudius, calling their relationship "incestuous". The Ghost, in addition to Hamlet, cites Gertrude's libertinism as the cause of her quick marriage to her brother. Gertrude's relationship with Claudius defines her character for both her son and her deceased husband, and even taints the reader's perception of her as a self-effacing and lustful individual. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay However, Gertrude does nothing to confirm or deny this.