Thursday, December 4, 2008
About Gertrude
After reading Carolyn Heilbrun's essay on Gertrude and considering the points she makes, as well as the opinions of other critics she references, do some thinking and studying of your own about Gertrude. Is she intelligent and verbally gifted, although with a penchant for exchanging kings? Is she shallow and weak? To what extent does the action of the play pivot around her? Engage in a lively discussion with one another, but whenever possible reference particular passages from the play to support your ideas.
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I think that Gertrude is an essential character in the play Hamlet, but I don't think she is the driving force as Carolyn Heilbrun argued. It is true that her marriage to Claudius was the cause of Hamlets shattered idealism and questioning of life that much of the play centers around but I think Gertrude is only one of many pillars on which the drama stands. The essential and pivotal act in the play was truly the murder of Hamlet sr. by Claudius, after all if he hadn't murdered hamlet their would have been no marriage. One could also argue it is Hamlet who carries the action because if he had not been so moved by his fathers death the play would not be. Really one could take a stand point arguing the essentials of any of the main characters and their actions. I believe they are all equally necessary pieces that interact to form the drama. In so I also believe that Gertrude is not a pale week character. I agree with Carolyn Heilbrun that she is a complex and intelligent character. She is believable as a real person and takes on unique character traits, this dynamic and elaborate character development visible in all of Hamlets stars is what makes the play such a success.
From my view, Gertrude plays a much more important role than she is given credit for. The fact that she is married to the king (old Hamlet and then Claudius) and is Hamlets mother obviously gives her a considerable amount of importance. But what also makes her important is her role in Hamlet’s questionable sanity. Part of why Hamlet is so upset is due to his mother and her hasty marriage to his uncle.
Gertrude also seems to be a much more perceptive person than some realize. Carolyn Heilbrun points this out by mentioning her saying “I doubt it is no other than the main, His father’s death and our o’er-hasty marriage” (act II, scene II). In the general sense, she is exactly right (since it was that his father was murdered and not just that he died). Gertrude was also a women who went straight to the point, she didn’t like wasting her breath. In my view, this gives her a kind of businesslike focused aspect. She appears to be an intelligent women, aware (for the most part) about the goings on around her.
Also in her essay, Carolyn Heilbrun mentions a quote by a Professor Bradley who compares Gertrude with a sheep. By doing so is to describe her as not having a mind of her own. On several occasions Gertrude acts upon her own accord (clearly showing that she does indeed have a mind of her own and is not a sheep or merely an echo of the kings words). Gertrude states her mind about what she thinks is causing her sons odd behavior (the quote mentioned earlier) and she promises Hamlet that she will not betray him (a mother understandably wanting to protect her son).
I admit Gertrude was never a character I had contemplated much about. Like the other critics mentioned in Heilbrun’s essay, I had assumed her to be a shallow and flighty woman, one who doesn’t give much consideration to her actions. Upon reading Heilbrun’s argument, I do have to concede that Gertrude, though very lustful, is an intelligent, insightful, but most importantly, aware of the inappropriateness of her actions. Gertrude’s main flaw is, no doubt, her lustfulness and subsequent inability to rein it in; however, and I agree with Heilbrun, this does not mean that she has no redeeming qualities. She’s certainly not what one critic described her to be, “a sheep in the sun”. Gertrude is no dumb animal, but someone with a precise eye who can see the faults she has committed and has the strength to acknowledge them. In act II, she rightly states the true reason of Hamlet’s grief and antic disposition as due to Hamlet Sr.’s death and her own over hasty marriage. Gertrude has the succinct ability to “...see reality clearly and to express it”. Confronted by Hamlet, she admits to her sin of lustfulness and does not try to hide it. It’s this characteristic that makes her appealing. She’s a strong and intelligent woman, but like all others, has faults. However, unlike many others, she has the ability and will to acknowledge her sins in the face of confrontation.
I don’t feel that her lustfulness is something with which we can entirely condemn her for, but a common tragic flaw that makes her more human. Moreover, it’s essential for the continuation of the play. As Heilbrun stated, Gertrude’s lust made possible the fulfillment of Claudius’ ambition. Also, it provides a target to which Hamlet’s anger is directed. One thing that I noticed was that Gertrude’s importance to the play derives mainly from her previous actions and her relationship to the other main characters. She doesn’t have much of an actual presence in the play, but is more of a background character. Her existence, but not presence, is essential to the play.
This essay by Carolyn Heilbrun certainly broadened the scope of my opinion of Gertrude. Before, Gertrude kind of faded into the background for me. She seemed only to be a shadow of Claudius, just an example of his powers of wit and persuasion. This is not to say I saw her as a character without personality or merit, but she stood out to me more as an object of Claudius’s triumph over the murdered Hamlet, than as an individual who could stand alone.
I still see her as that to a certain extent – Gertrude’s role as an extension of Claudius is one that begins to unravel Hamlet to begin with. After her quick marriage to Claudius, Hamlet begins to see her as less of his mother, and more of her as only Claudius’s bride. The seemingly virtuous queen became an incestuous adulteress, driven by passion.
However, since reading the essay, I do agree with both Carolyn Heilbrun, and funnily enough, some of the critics who opposed her. She quoted Professor Bradley, who described Gertrude as a woman who lives to experience pleasure and happiness. I agree with this, but I also believe it doesn’t take away from Heilbrun’s analysis of Gertrude’s character. I believe she can be both the perceptive, intelligent woman that Heilbrun describes, as well as the pleasure-seeking, and at times, ignorant queen who sits beside Claudius on the throne. I think that these two Gertrude’s can coexist – one is illustrated in her succinct and intuitive dialogues with Hamlet and other characters (Polonius, for example), and while the other is the one that jumped to marry Claudius in attempt to once again find happiness after losing her first husband.
I see now in Gertrude both what Heilbrun and her critics argued, but I believe Heilbrun gave her too much credit, and the quoted critics gave her too little. Now that I have read both sides, I see Gertrude as much more of a believable character, caught between the desire to move on and find happiness where she can, and the need to speak freely about the harsh realities surrounding her.
Not until after reading this essay, did I see the importance of Gertrude, because I too only thought of her as a shallow being. I definitely agree with Carolyn Heilbrun’s idea that Gertrude executes a significant role in the play. In reference to Heart of Darkness, there were many minor characters other than Kurtz and Marlow, who had a pivotal effect on the story line. Therefore, I believe the same could be said for Gertrude, although she is quite a small character and may not always have much to say, the few words that she does speak and her actions are quite profound and crucial in the development of the story.
Gertrude is usually intertwined with the plot and action of the play from the beginning to end. At first, through Hamlets skewed perspective, Gertrude is portrayed as a “frail” personality and one whom does not care to mourn for the death of her husband because it is not equal to that which Hamlet himself grieves. Therefore, we only see Gertrude through Hamlet’s eyes, as a hollow and trifling mother whose motives are deemed extremely selfish. However, with a closer look, and after examining Gertrude in an unbiased manner through her own speech, one can see that she is a woman of courage and honesty and can easily stand up for herself (as she does many times) without hiding behind Claudius’ shadow. One of the main counterarguments that people may have is that she was so quick to marry again. This is the main fault that Gertrude has, but the only proper justification she has is that her motives were caused by her primitive instincts of lust and she easily able to reveal this and does not hide it. There are many instances where Gertrude has a penetrating effect.
Such is the time, as Heilbrun also notes, that Gertrude asks Hamlet to “stop wearing black, to stop walking with his eyes downcast, and to realize that death is inevitable part of life.” She is asking him to let go of his father because there is nothing he can do about what happened. Gertrude cares enough for her son to make sure he does not dwell in such dolorous and miserable emotions because it will only hurt him more. Gertrude knows right from wrong and if Hamlet just listened to this simple advice, he would not have become so deeply rooted in revenge for his father. Even when Polonius and Claudius are discussing why Hamlet is acting so strange, Gertrude says that it is “his father’s death and our o’er-hasty marriage,” she is the only one who has the great intuition and intelligence to detect the reason for the issue at hand. There is also the instance where Gertrude refuses to treat Ophelia as a device and “tool” (as Heilbrun uses) just as Polonius and Claudius use her for their own selfish reasons. Instead, she acknowledges and admires Ophelia just as a morally righteous person would do. Gertrude has these traits that many of the other characters lack, and is able to bring out their defective personalities.
Yes, it is true that Gertrude is may not be deep and captivating as compared to others, but I believe she holds her own as a legitimate character.
*In addition, what I found quite notable was that Carolyn Heilbrun, is of course a woman (if I am not mistaken), and she is arguing that Gertrude, whom is also a woman, is “intelligent, penetrating and gifted”. Now, however, all of the other writers of whom Heilbrun notes in her essay are all males, and they are all arguing that Gertrude is dull and a dismissible character. Therefore, its strange or maybe a bit confounding to see that only a woman can see the depth in this female character, and the men all easily discard Gertrude.
Gertrude is an odd character. She married Claudius hastily, yet is perfectly aware of its implications. She is intelligent, evidenced by her lucid interpretation of Hamlet's madness. But, this could be interpreted as just honesty to ones self. It seems a man as shrewd as Claudius could quickly infer Hamlet's true lamentations, but the political implications of accepting and admitting that fact would be too great. Gertrude could lack this type of political tight-roping, and just say what is on her mind, and do so clearly. Either way, her open nature could reveal a few things. I think it could be possible that she married Claudius because of the political stability that would surely ensue. Denmark seems to be on the brink of war right before a transition of power. To have the queen not be married to the King would come across as weak. I am not sure, but I think Denmark in the context of the play was only a partial Monarchy, with some Democratic bits including the appointment of King. I don't know if I am going anywhere special with this line of thinking anymore, but It must be worth it.
Another thought.
I am not sure if Hamlet would condemn Claudius if he had not married Gertrude. The loss of his mother could have started the hate in the first place. Otherwise, Claudius to Hamlet might just be a competent leader who is doing what is necessary to keep Norway safe after the most unfortunate death of King Hamlet.
There is plenty of evidence to refute this. His comparison of Claudius to a satyr could have strong links to the seemingly hedonistic marriage to Gertrude, but it also could stem from his implied worship of his father. It likely is a combination of both, but Gertrude's marriage doesn't seem like a critical component, more like a driving component.
I guess I never really doubted the importance of Gertrude, but I would not give her character as much credit as Heilbrun has given her. I am not totally convinced of her intelligence and sensibility yet, so I can't want to read other people's arguments.
I completely agree with how Heilbrun says that Gertrude is "gifted with a remarkable talent for concise and pithy speech. She twists and bends no words, and refrains from excuses. I am actually motivated to finish up the book, to read more of how Gertrude actually admits her faults to Hamlet, or at least how she accepts his harsh criticism and anger. This makes me appreciate and respect her character a lot more before. She knowingly made some controversial decisions: with indulging in her hasty, incestuous marriage, and in doing so, she compromised part of dignity and morality.
But in some scenes, she has regained a part of that dignity and genuineness in my eyes. I am referring to instances when she exhibits the courage to state the simple truth, in those pithy words of hers. “I doubt it is no other than the main, His father’s death and our o’er-hasty marriage.” She has enough courage to stand up against Polonius’ theory and state her instincts. But she also has the courage to admit that her marriage was hasty and that she caused her son’s distress. Alexander, I don’t think that this necessarily shows her intelligence, but instead isn’t it a mother’s instinct (and guilt ) that tells her what is wrong with her son? Or am I misinterpreting this?
Another instance is one that only ran across in this reading, but that I looked up in the book. “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,” is how Gertrude responds to Hamlet’s anger and very harsh criticisms. She accepts her flaw – lust – that has caused the abandonment and betrayal that Hamlet felt. I guess I do see how Gertrude is sensible and genuine in doing so.
Matthew Putnam hasn't posted in the first 10 posts? The second sign of the Apocalypse!
I always had a view of Gertrude that I couldn't quite put my finger on. After reading Carolyn Heilbrun's essay, I have gained a better understanding as to what that view is.
I got the impression from Gertrude that there were two genuine sides to her, one that is warm and caring toward Hamlet and loves both him and his father and the other side that was a politician, wanting to stay with the power in order to stay in power. I truly do think she's deep enough to have loved Hamlet Sr (perhaps she married him for his power and grew to love him). But now we question her, because an event has arisen that puts her two sides at conflict.
When she put down Hamlet for grieving too much, I didn't get the impression that she was doing it to remain happy or to please people as Professor Bradley suggested, but in her own battle, the politician was winning. She had to a put up a good face and support her new husband. Often in times of pain, it's easier to remain indifferent than to care. But this was not a result of her being "very shallow and very dull." I don't believe Shakespeare would create such an important character to be so simple. Just as Claudius is not just a horrid person as we see, but something more, so is Gertrude.
I was particularly interested in Gertrude upon reading the story. I often wondered what the play would have been from her perspective rather than from Hamlet's. Gertrude's internal struggle comes from balancing her "lustful" desires and her mother's intuition, from which I believe her intelligence stems. If Hamlet Sr. was the physical strength and Claudius was the diplomatic strength in the play, Gertrude strength was in interpreting the emotions of others in the play. Her mother's intuition helps her nail down correctly what is really troubling her son and how to tranquilize raging emotions (ie: Hamlet's, Laertes') with clarity like a breath of fresh air, breaking from the loaded speeches of the court. I believe that Gertrude is only weak in terms of and as a reflection of the limits of a woman's power in Elizabethan times. Heilbrun's essay did clarify that the royal line was through Gertrude, yet she could only rule as an equal power with her husband (refering to the use of "we" in Claudius' first speech in the play). Gertrude plays a important role igniting the events of the play but not in driving the action. Without the throne she holds for whomever is her husband, and the tie she places between Hamlet Sr., Claudius, and Hamlet the story would lack a source of motivation for these characters. She does not seem to drive the retribution that Hamlet seeks in that the Ghost does not wish for him to act against her.
I really like Anna's post. The idea I previously held of Gertrude was more like a trophy Claudius had won than a influential and powerful character. In a drama like Hamlet, this may be cliche to say, each character has their own agenda, and I think Gertrude can be said to have that level of independence and drive. Gertrude is an honest woman who is emotionally attached to more than any other in the play. Her emotions and honesty are all that prevents everything from coming apart early, even though it is impossible to stay that way for long. I can now see why Heilbrun was so disparaging of people such as Bradley who had such condescending views of Gertrude. The lust that drives her is kept in balance with her loyalty to Hamlet, no easy feat. This depth of character that Heilbrum brought to light has altered my perception of Gertrude.
Gertrude is a very complex character, though not much credit is given to her in the play. She seems to be the one person who has caused hamlet’s strife most unknowingly. But her character is not “evil” in any sort of way , Gertrude likes her life happy and looks at it practically rather than moping about like hamlet does with his own troubles. Bradley describes her as “she loved to be happy, like sheep in the sun”, she did like to be happy this seems to be a nature but I think that she is a type of person who reacts to happiness like a plant does to the sun. Gertrude needs the happiness that is what makes her an individual, and as for being a sheep, Gertrude is in no way stupid. She is concise and clear and has excellent analytical skills that enable her to reason in her situation, she identifies the cause of hamlets grief and clarifies the situation for Laertes. She was seeking happiness and so marries Claudius, this rather quick transition from a weeping widow to a mirthful bride, makes her seem shallow and overlooked, but no one can deny the important role she plays in the way the plot carries out.
I agree for the most part with Heilbrun's argument that Gertrude is a "strong-minded, intelligent, succinct, and...sensible" (Pg2) and if she is not these things then she is at least a mother. She is a mother who continues to show her love for her son by worrying about him and also making some decisions that would benefit and protect him.
Everything that Gertrude does can be seen as a way of protecting Hamlet or a way to keep him safe. By marrying Claudius, she gave Hamlet a father and a new king who he can count on. By moving on from her husbands death, she showed Hamlet that she was okay and she even tried to tell him that death happens everywhere so he shouldn't wear black all the time and walk around with his eyes down and he should move on as well. She is strong-minded and sensible because she knows and admits why Hamlet could be going crazy or be upset but still goes on with Claudis in finding out exactly what is wrong with her son.
Even though her marriage may seem hasty and that it could be just an act of lust or selfishness, there is no doubt that she continues to care about Hamlet's happiness and prove herself to be a strong mother, if not a strong person.
In regards to Fiona, I believe there should be some examination on the ethos of Carolyn Heilbrun, the author of this essay.
I can not say that I fully see Gertrude as what Heilbrun has implied in her essay, but certain aspects are nonetheless plausible. Gertrude does play a key role in the plot by essentially igniting/catalyzing Hamlet's emotions, but it certainly does not revolve around her (if I were to lay it on a single person, I would be inclined to go with either Hamlet or Claudius). Also, the view on Gertrude's intelligence and wit is more of an opinion and less of fact. Thus, the way I see Gertrude is a possible shadow of Claudius. Furthermore, although she may have some form of intelligence, it should not be blown up into scale that Heilbrun has attempted.
Anyways, I suppose the interpretation of Gertrude can be construed in both manners--it is just a matter of which you perceive it as first (similar to Anna Borges' comment).
Looking at the situation in the play, I believe that Alexander has a notable view concerning the matters of stability.
Oh, and I wonder where Matt is.
This essay really made me like Gertrude more. She came off as an intelligent women who doesn't become entranced by long poetic explanations and prefers straight to the point answers. She is soft and caring without being ignorant and "frail" like Hamlet states. I think she began to suspect Hamlet's plan to kill Claudius and probably thought he would kill her as well. She isn't blind to Hamlet's distaste of their wedding. I think she also agrees their wedding was too soon after the first Hamlet's death and feels responsible for Hamlet's unhappiness.
Before reading this essay, I never really thought much of Gertrude as such a complex character that is described by Heilbrun. I believed Gertrude to be shallow and a flat character because of her seemingly naïve response to the different situations. However, upon reading the essay I began realize that she is intelligent and knowledgeable about the state of mind Hamlet is in. She realizes that Hamlet is torn and upset of his father’s death and her hastiness in marrying Claudius. Though lacking in political acuteness and some intellectual knowledge, she is a character who portrays what it means to be human. And she shows this by understanding Hamlet’s grief.
Gertrude is a character that people throw off as simple and thoughtless. Her relationship with Claudius made her look like a woman without control or grief. Gertrude is more intelligent than that, in my opinion, she is rather insightful and chooses to show that side of her sometimes. For example, when Claudius and the others are wondering why Hamlet is acting strange she directly tells them the reason. There are also parts where she corrects Claudius and steers him toward a different direction. Gertrude is a woman who chooses to be simple and lie to herself. She is capable of more, but she finds happiness in simplicity and pretending ignorance. The truth and realities are too much for her to take. She is a woman who refuses to age and become wiser, because she prefers youth and the straightforwardness that comes with that life.
However, Gertrude still has her motherly instincts and wants to protect Hamlet from many things, including himself. Throughout the play, I had the impression that Gertrude genuinely loves Claudius. When Laertes tried to kill him, she stepped in his way. She is a woman who loves to be in love and chooses to be blinded from the truth as a defense mechanism.
Good point Roopa.
I agree with some of Carolyn Heilbrun's ideas and disagree with others. One important point Heilburn makes is that Gertrude is not a "dull, slothful woman who can only echo her husband's words" (Heilburn). When Claudius is talking about how Polonius believes he has discovered the source of Hamlet's madness, Gertrude expresses her own idea, which is remarkably accurate. She says it has to do with the King's death and their "o'er hasty marriage." Little does she know how on point she really is.
Another strength of Gertrude’s is her strong attachment to Hamlet. She genuinely worries about him. In act I, she tells him to try to move on from his father's death, because it isn't healthy for him. She also wants to try to stop his madness and not send him to England. In the end, as Heilburn notes, she uses her dying words to warn Hamlet not to drink the cup so that he won't be poisoned like her. Her love for him is very strong.
However, I don't think she's an extremely strong character. Her major flaw clearly appears to be lust and she does not even really try to overcome it. But more important, possibly is that she tends to stay in the background for most of the decision-making. Although she is intelligent, she is soft-spoken, just like the average, dutiful wife was back then. She didn't want to make waves, but perhaps she should've, for her sake and for the sake of the people she loved.
I really like this essay in a lot of ways. I would say the most important reason is that it gave me something to think about that I had never really considered. I never truly thought about Gertrude and the important role that she plays in the Hamlet.
I agree in a lot of ways with Carolyn Heilbrun, but I also find that a lot of what she says is reaching to make a point, but lacks the appropriate evidence. I agree that Gertrude is not a “shallow and feminine” person, but rather one of substance and who truly cared for Hamlet. I also agree that she was an important part of the play; however, I don’t think that she was the vital role that Heilbrun makes her out to be. I think that Gertrude is simply a real character, someone with a brain, but also serious flaws that complicate her life. She has important lines in the play, but she does not lead the play in the direction it takes, but merely helps push it along.
I feel really ridiculous asking this, but is there anyone out there that has the essay of Carolyn Heilbrun? Heh, I kinda lost it somewhere.. I was hoping that someone would be kind enough to scan a copy and maybe send it to me? Pretty please? That would be sooo very very nice. Here's my email address, chi_thanh222@yahoo.com. No one has to do it, I'll just give an opinion without reading the essay? And read it later when I can get ahold of one. Thanks you guys!
The essay by Carolyn Heilbrun definitely opened up my view of Gertrude, because I hadn't really thought much of her before. I think Gertrude is kind of mysterious character because we dont really recieve much background about her, and it kind of prompts some questions about her. Maybe she was previously involved with claudius, or she knew about the plot to kill the old king hamlet???
Hey, thnguyen. Sure I will scan you a copy. It will take me a couple minutes though. And also, after I have posted this, I am hoping that you do not get 29 other scanned copies XD, but if you do, you will know you are well-liked.
In Hamlet Gerturde is never portrayed as a complex deep character. We think of her as a flat character. However Heilburn brings to our attention that Gertrude is more than just this flat character. I relaly like Sam's view that at the beginning it looked like Gertrude was just a trophy for Claudius. That is certainly the way I felt about Gertrude. However we see that Gertrude is aware of Hamlet's situation and the cause of his travails. She works to make Hamlet feel better and is concerned about his well being. Heilbrun points out for example when Gertrude askes hamlet to stop wearing black. Here Gertrude asks Hamlet to get rid of his grief and not be influenced by it. Heilbrun asserts that Gertrude is taking care of Hamlet an is not just a falt character, or as Sam pointed out a trophy.
In Hamlet Gerturde is never portrayed as a complex deep character. We think of her as a flat character. However Heilburn brings to our attention that Gertrude is more than just this flat character. I relaly like Sam's view that at the beginning it looked like Gertrude was just a trophy for Claudius. That is certainly the way I felt about Gertrude. However we see that Gertrude is aware of Hamlet's situation and the cause of his travails. She works to make Hamlet feel better and is concerned about his well being. Heilbrun points out for example when Gertrude askes hamlet to stop wearing black. Here Gertrude asks Hamlet to get rid of his grief and not be influenced by it. Heilbrun asserts that Gertrude is taking care of Hamlet an is not just a falt character, or as Sam pointed out a trophy.
Wow, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I would be so quickly missed. Okay, maybe I'm assuming too much. Perhaps saying "I didn't realize my absence would be so quickly noticed," would be a little more accurate? Well, when the blog posting comes as late as this one, I can't be expected to jump right on it. I don't have all day to sit waiting for the next blog entry to be uploaded. Sometimes I have places to go and things to do, and sometimes when i get home I fall asleep...for four hours...Anyways, for those of you who were wondering (Ms. Walgrave and Mr. Pugh), that's what I was doing instead of posting on the blog; sleeping. Now, I think I've delayed long enough, eh? On to my post!
I think I might have disagreed with just about everything Ms. Heilbrun says. So, I'll take it slow, and pick apart everything she said which inspired annoyed and frustrated annotations from me. I'll begin by saying that I agree with Professor Bradly when he says "The Queen was not a bad-hearted woman...She loved to be happy, like a sheep in the sun, and to do her justice, it pleased her to see others happy, like more sheep in the sun." Remember that quote, I'll be coming back to it in a short while. I also agree in part with Granville-Barker when he says that Shakespeare "gives us in Gertrude the woman who does not mature." Remember that quote too.
The first frown-inspiring line I read was that these people I have just agreed with "fail to see Gertrude for the strong-minded, intelligent, succinct, and, apart from this passion, sensible woman that she is." To this I scribbled hastily, "Wow, no. I don't agree at all." I do not see any point in Hamlet where the Queen might be construed as strong-minded. What really gets me is, not half a paragraph later, Heilbrun deciphers Gertrude's statement to Hamlet about casting off his nighted colors as "asking him not to give away his passion of grief..." The Queen, who falls prey to her own passions, sits lecturing Hamlet on his own, far more understandable passion. Her lusty passion is derived from a desire for herself to be happy, while Hamlet's passion of grief is derived from the death of his beloved father and king of Denmark. There is nothing strong-minded or sensible about the Queen's comments. What I see is quite simple a desire to see her son happy. For just as Bradly says, she is not a bad person, she is only very simple in that she desires for those around her to be happy.
Next are the points Heilbrun brings up regarding the Queen's statement, "I doubt it is no other than the main, / His father's death and our o'er-hasty marriage." Heilbrun seems to find this "courageous" statement some sort of tribute to her brilliance. All I see it as is a tribute to her exceptional ability of pointing out the obvious. She even says herself, "I doubt it is no other than the main," in other words, "I doubt it's other than the obvious reason" (thanks Shakespeare Made Easy). Perhaps it is the length and eloquence of the dialogue of the other characters which provide such stunning contrast to the Queen's short and simple statements which lead Heilbrun to believe Gertrude has some hidden depth, but I think she is simple more straightforward than others.
Just a little further in that same paragraph, Heilbrun starts making a fuss over Gertrude's short, five word statement, "More matter with less art." She praises this, saying "It would be difficult to find a phrase more applicable to Polonius." Difficult she says. I disagree with that too, and here is my counter; an even shorter, four word statement. Get to the point. Maybe Heilbrun will begin to sing her song of unappreciated brilliance for me now. Seriously though, what I see here is once again the Queen's normalcy. When one of your friends is rambling on and on, beating around the bush and boring you to death with needless details, telling them to "spit it out" (wow, three words that time, I'm more strong-minded, intelligent, succinct, and sensible than I thought) comes naturally. The final quote mentioned in that paragraph, "Came this from Hamlet to her," is only one more of the Queen's simple questions of curiosity, which would be natural for anyone to ask.
In the very next paragraph from Heilbrun, she brings up Gertrude's comforting words to Ophelia. I won't write it all out, you all have the packet (well, except Thanh. If Jackson hasn't sent it by the time I finish this post let me know, I'll send it your way) so I trust that if you're actually reading my entire post you will be able to just open it up to the point I'm referring to. Well, getting back on track, Heilbrun has the nerve to actually berate and make fun of Professor Bradly for finding this passage to be a "gushing wish from a sentimental woman." Go back to Bradley's earlier assessment of Gertrude, the one where he identifies her a a sheep in the sun. Good. You have done more than Heilbrun did, because it should now be obvious that the Queen is making a "shallow wish of a sentimental woman." Gertrude is a simple woman; she seeks simple happiness, and believes in that same simple happiness for others. She has made herself happy by satisfying her lusty desires (yes, I do agree with Heilbrun that the Queen feels lust) and believes that Ophelia can be happy too in the same manner if she but follows Gertrude’s example. Ophelia is a more complicated person than the Queen, however, and she has at least some inkling to the true reasons of love. Not the physical definition which the Queen subscribes to, but the ideological one. I think this is why it is so difficult for her that Hamlet has apparently gone mad.
Gertrude's final act after drinking from the poisoned cup; that of warning away Hamlet, is probably Heilbrun's most accurate assessments. I still disagree with the main point she is trying to make with it though. She implies that this act, of protecting Hamlet with her final, succinct statement, is one of heroism and mentions how even critics of the Queen find the act admirable. With this I agree 100%. It was an admirable death, but it was not a death exemplifying the kind of person Heilbrun argues so unconvincingly that Gertrud is. No, it is the death of a mother protecting her son. Would you not, with your last breath, save the life of one you love if you were able? While not the strong-minded or intelligent person Heilbrun believes Gertrude to be, she is a mother. And while she is weak-willed, marrying Claudius for her own happiness despite the incestuous nature of the union, I believe she loves Hamlet with all her heart.
I have a few more annotations I made about Hamlet’s conversation with her at the death of Polonius, but now that I’ve typed everything out, I don’t really have anywhere to put it without ruining the flow of what has grown into almost a mini-essay on how much I disagree with Heilbrun. Oh well, there is plenty to keep anyone who dares to read this post busy for quite some time. So, I guess I’ll leave it as-is. Perhaps I’ll have opportunity to post my thoughts on that scene if someone sees fit to mark it as a weakness in my assessment of the Queen as simply a loving mother.
Oh and, by the way, you better take back what you said Scott. My post is the longest now, and there’s nothing anyone can do to take it away from me! Sorry Thanh, Scott decided to turn blog posting into a challenge when he went and compared the length of my posts to yours. I just had to write a super long one. Also, I really, really didn’t like what Heilbrun had to say about Gertrude.
The first thing that struck me was the author's comment that Gertrude is pithy in speech, with a talent for seeing every situation. I hardly see her to be the slightest bit insightful, and her speeches are as memorable as, well, something that's not memorable at all. I also disagree with Ms Heilburn's statement that Gertrude is "not...a dull and shallow woman". I believe she is quite shallow; she is a tool for Hamlet's uncle to fulfil his plans. She is shallow in the manner that she almost instantaneously renounces her period of mourning.
I was somewhat annoyed by Ms Heilburn's incessant repetition of saying that Gertrude was a pivotal character because of her incestuous lust. I disagree; I don't feel that she was pivotal at all. She was there simply to provide a coherent story. She was merely the pawn of Hamlet's Uncle, the one who he used to attain his power. It could have just as well been Hamlet the Elder's grandfather in a joint rule, and then the grandfather would have to accept ruling with Hamlet's uncle. (Sorry if that was a bit byzantine; I'm not sure how to put it in any other way).
When any random sample of the queen's dialogue is taken, it provides that it is used only as background information, nothing that truly changes anything in the play. Act II.ii lines 19-26, were we to replace her short speech with a continuation of the King's speech, it would have just as much of an impact. It matters not who tells Rosencrantz/Guildenstern that their "visitation shall receive such thanks as fit a king's remembrance" (in fact, seeing as it would be a king's remembrance, it would be more logical for the king himself to say so).
Devil's advocate: one may argue that any character can be replaced with another to the same effect, that no characters are truly important. To the extent of names being confounded, this is true, but the character's "essence" is what makes the story. Hamlet is a suspicious and vengeful fellow; his uncle murderously jealous and greedy; his father a somber and mellow ghoul; his mother, seemingly characterless. From what I remember and what was read so far in class (pardon my not being able to find specific examples; my book is downstairs and if I go the alarm will sound and people will wake, and the overall level of happiness in the home will diminish exponentially), the queen was used to express the feelings of others: "Frailty, thy name is woman" shows Hamlet's direct displeasure of his mother's hasty marriage. Other than that, she had minimal roles, and if we were to do away with her completely, she would hardly be missed. (This may very well change in the progression of the play, but for now, I wrote what I feel is true.)
Even after reading Heilbrun's assessment of her character, I am not quite sure that I am ready to accept Gertrude as a lustful sort of person. Yes, her decision to marry Claudius so soon after her husband's passing was quite distasteful, but, as Michelle mentioned, I don't think we can condemn her for it. She made a decision that any of us might make if ever in a similar situation, as she acted solely out of that innate human need for support.
Yet, at the same time, I would not say that Gertrude is in any way weak or vulnerable. She seem remarkably level-headed throughout most events of the play, as she makes clear when she deftly averts blame for Polonius's death from Claudius before Laertes can attack him or "do any meaningless damage" (so Heilbrun says). That rationality seems to contrast with her actions, which suggest a more emotional, flighty persona, and which make me wonder if she is truly as vital a presence in the play as Heilbrun makes her out to be. Surely there would be no conflict if she was intended to be an essential aspect of the plot's development. It seems to me that her actions are of more significance and importance than her actual presence, that she is more a channel for Hamlet's indignation rather than the sole cause. She alone did not forget King Hamlet's death; that was a crime in which all of Hamlet's countrymen participated by encouraging Claudius and Gertrude's marriage. What, then, makes her so important? Even as Hamlet's mother, she seems fairly detached and aloof and without any real motherly instinct to guide Hamlet along. I honestly don't think it would matter if Gertrude weren't in the play, so long as someone else was to function in her capacity. I do concede that her actions are of relevance and importance, but I don't believe her persona or character are particularly noteworthy.
Mr. Cornea, I must say that I agree whole-heartedly with everything you have to say. I too find Gertrude's speeches about as memorable as something you wouldn't remember. In fact, it would take an event as exciting as, say, noticing that the sky is blue, or spotting a balloon floating by to make you forget her speeches. The sole exception that comes to mind is her "sweets to the sweet" speech.
I also enjoyed your "Devil's advocate" section. Your desire to maintain the household standard of happiness is admirable, and your sacrifice of direct quotes for the sole purpose of avoiding an incident with the alarm is impressive. If only the Queen were a bit more like you, perhaps she could have lived up to Heilbrun's idealistic vision of her.
Mr Putnam, I am glad that I see on the same level as you, although I fear that I may have been the slightest bit over-enthusiastic. Let me use another of my video analogies. In the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith plays the lead role. Carlton, the stubby "character foil", if you will, hardly ever plays an important role, but does set Will Smith up for various gags and jokes. In the same manner, Gertrude manages to set the stage for a multitude of memorable events: the "frailty...woman" quote, the overall effect of a hasty marriage upon Hamlet, etc. In this manner she was important, but even so, on the whole we would most likely be able to do away with her.
^ What that is trying to say is what Hari said about her actions being more important than her presence, that she provides a medium for Hamlet to show himself.
Holy cow, there is always the late night conversations with "Mr. Cornea" and "Mr. Putnam" that are a way to boost up a kid's posting.
Reading the essay that Jackson had very kindly sent me, and then reading my fellow classmate's post, what I would be doing is repeating what everyone else is saying. But what the hey, being in a cave is fun right? suuuuure.
I agree with Michelle, Anna, Fiona, Roopa, Sam (ish), and John that I didn't really think about Gertrude too much and thought of her as just a background character before reading this essay. I always thought of her as something of an annoying disturbance in the play, appearing then disappearing, and then making comments that didn't really matter. However Carolyn Heilbrun made the point really clear that Gertrude did that to bring out her personality which is not just an adulterous, incestuous woman that's lusty (which I will talk about later) but a woman that really cares about the people around her. Her observations are different than Claudius and Polonius when she takes note that Hamlet's grieving is due to the hasty marriage and the death of his father. All four critics (if I counted right) had the same input of Gertrude, that "Gertrude is always hoping for the best." I genuinely believe this to be true, making her the naive person that she is. However, I don't think that she was that white with purity, because if she was that naive, she wouldn't have provided such good insight about Hamlet's little rendevous and her trying to calm Hamlet. OO remind me to talk about the ghost appearance that she did not see. A person who is trying to calm an insane son down, woof, now that's gotta take a lot of guts and a lot of level-minded thinking to do that. Especially if he's carrying a sword. Gertrude is able to get Hamlet's marbles together (even though Polonius's "interference" may have helped a bit) and informs the king about her little dispute.
What made me really, really surprised was her altruistic side that I never really took note of until I read the Heilbrun essay. She has a motherly character to all of the people in the play. She talks to Ophelia when everyone else just ignores that fact that they are using her; she wants Hamlet to sit next to her during the play because she wants him to feel included in the court (at least that's what Heilbrun said, and I agree wholeheartedly); she doesn't give the entire story of her room dilemma with Hamlet to Claudius because I believe that she wanted to investigate into her son's sanity a bit more before she spilled the beans; and the end, which really makes me warm and fuzzy all over, how she warns Hamlet about the poisoned drink before she leaves the world. Holy cow, that's just so nice in it;s own little depressing way. She loved her son truly and wanted the best for him, but even then she couldn't save him.
In my opinion, I don't think she married Claudius because of lust. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that because Claudius was going to be king, she already knew him through her ex husband, why not? Besides, she would still be queen but kind of more like a leftover queen? So maybe she was marrying to benefit herself, and she probably did like Claudius but I didn't really see a lot of husband wife interaction that would tell me that she is in love with him. It's more of a "husband go to work, woman follow" type of thing that I saw. She was a strong woman though.
O okay, so the ghost thing. I don't understand how she did not see the ghost that Hamlet, the two watchmen, and Horatio saw. I mean, if she doesn't see the ghost, doesn't that mean that she is oblivious to everything that is happening to her? Why would Shakespeare want to do this? I mean, okay, he wants more drama, but wouldn't it be more dramatic if Gertrude found out the truth and went behind Claudius's back and paired up with Hamlet to revenge her husband's death? I just don't really understand how she couldn't perceive the ghost while four other people saw it. When she couldn't see the ghost, what I thought was that the ghost is a demon. That it cannot be trusted, but then Claudius's little reaction to the play and his little miniature monologues with himself contradicted with my hypothesis. So I started thinking that she did see the ghost, but she kept denying that to herself and pretends that there is no such thing ghosts. However, Heilbrun and the other critics say that she is a strong woman in her actions, but I don't think she was strong in her heartflutters <= that's not a real word. So yea, I'm kind of confused about the ghost.
So here's what I think I thought: Gertrude isn't really lusty, just a logical-ish woman; she is a very altruistic woman that cares about the people that are forgotten; and the ghost? No idea. But I agree with Heilbrun, because she did provide a lot of insight on Gertrude that I would never have noticed before. Yup, that's it.
I believe Hamlet and his mom have different ideas on marriage. Gertrude didn't see this difference, something I feel she was capable of, untill after the fact when Hamlet made this feeling obvious to everyone in the court. Once Gertrude realizes this mistake she tries to make it up to hamlet, eventually giving her life to save his.
What is this difference? It has to do with age and expierence. Gertrude was queen and therefore accustomed to the job and formalities. Marriage was an institution rather than a culmination of love. Hamlet felt marriage was this culmination of love.
Because Ggertrude was older the magic in marriage was lessened or not there, thus her lustful desires made it easier to remarry, but that's not all. You have to realize Hamlets uncle needs her to get to the crown, so he dies what he does best, he uses his tounge to win her heart. Gertrude was wise enough to keep her virtue and thus the name of her family in tact by marrying him before anything bad could happen. Sure it looked bad as is, but think of the alternative. Gertrude could have sent Hamlet for a bigger spin by doing it with Claudius outside the bonds of marriage versus within. She was incesterous versus adulterous, the former had a better shot at keeping the state in order and everyone happy. Unfortunately this didn't happen.
Well, would you look at that? Thanh went and decided to address the one point I neglected in my post! Haha, perfect, a chance to make another addition!
So, Thanh, your first big point is that she calms down Hamlet, though he is mad with rage and acting insane at the same time. I agree that this is impressive, however, consider this; if you love someone, even if they are apparently insane, talking to themselves and making little, if any sense, wouldn't you stick by them anyways, to make sure they are alright? Even if the person was enraged, even if that rage were directed towards myself, I would stand by them (not too close if the person is waving around a sword) and do the best I could to help that person and calm them down. You later point out that Gertrude is a loving mother, and I agree with you about that. I think that she loves Hamlet very much, and I think she was willing to die in an effort to return Hamlet to his senses. I think that fact of her being such a loving mother sort of undermines any other positive qualities you might pull out of her encounter with Hamlet. I stand by my claim that the Queen merely acts as any mother who loves her son would act.
Now, it seems like a lot of people posting here agree with Heilbrun on at least some points. I honestly don't think there is anything extraordinary about Gertrude, unless you count being a mother extraordinary. Judging by some of your reactions (and also assuming I'm correct in my analysis of Gertrude, which I realize is a mighty large assumption), a lot of you do seem to find the love of a mother extraordinary. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying motherly love isn't pretty spiffy, but I wouldn't confuse it with the traits of strong-mindedness and intelligence which Heilbrun believes the Queen possesses.
Indeed as everyone says, Gertrude does not get the recognition of importance she ought to receive. Carolin Heilbrun points out that Gertrude is "concise and pithy in speech, with a talent for seeing the essence of every situation presented before her eyes." This is certainly true, because even though she does not hold numerous lines compared to other characters, each time she does speak, she does so with a purpose and affects the objected character. She also plays the role as Hamlet's "best friend" to protect and always motivate. Gertrude acknowledges the flaws she has committed in marrying Claudius which has caused Hamlet go "crazy", and attempts to reestablish his health. Her love towards Hamlet is of a great magnitude, for she never stops showing her passion. In the very last scene of the play, Gertrude can be seen cheering on Hamlet as he fights for his life. "He's fat, and scant of breath.— Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows.The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet."She wipes Hamlet's face with her handkerchief and drinks to his luck. This action exemplifies her will to assist and regain the old "normal" Hamlet. Gertrude is a character who does not make much appearance but is a great impact on Hamlet's actions.
It's true: Gertrude is a significant character. I'm not going to profess my belief that she is absolutely and utterly the driving force of Hamlet's actions throughout the play. If I tried, I'd be deceiving you all horribly.
Throughout the text, I've been wondering exactly how much of a hand Gertrude had in the death of her husband. When she jumped straight into bed with Hamlet's hot uncle, my first thought wasn't "Wow, she's gone from being totally loyal and faithful to one man to being totally loyal and faithful to another." Rather, it suggested to me some kind of significant past between her and Claudius. After all, it's clear his capabilities vastly overshadow his brother in many cases. Perhaps the perceptive Gertrude picked up on this and, with the declining state of Denmark, made sure to carefully select a new ruler for her country.
I certainly agree she's an interesting character. I think Hamlet doesn't realize, in his perceived intellectual solitude, just how conscious his mother is of her country and her son.
Heilbrun's essay made me realize Gertrude's age. I didn't think about how she ought to be in her mid-40s, a very sexual time for cougars (meow). I suppose it is appropriate to say that Gertrude married Claudius out of lust because she admits it (III.iv. 99-102). Well, not so much as admit, but agree that her soul is blackened by some misdeeds.
Gertrude agrees with Hamlet that she has done some bad things and knows that he has done some bad things. She doesn't exactly confront anyone about them though. She goes on living as a queen -- who doesn't make many decisions for the state -- without qualms. She does not ease away from the king but saddles up next to him when they're together. Between Hamlet and Claudius, it's apparent that the queen choses her new husband over her own son. When Laertes nearly attacks Claudius, she protects the latter. She tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Polonius, although she promised her son that she would help him (IV.i.11-12). I guess her way of helping Hamlet is to keep reinforcing the belief that he is completely mad.
Perhaps because she left Hamlet and joined "the dark side" that left Hamlet utterly alone which helps him develop some madness. Without a father, without a mother, without a partner, yet with a friend who does not really do must justice, Hamlet is quite alone. His loneliness doesn't create much rational thoughts (although he certainly tries to stay rational).
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