In my opinion, Gertrude cares more about herself than her
son. Whether or not she and Claudius were having an affair, she rushes into a marriage
with him. This devastates her son. She is not thinking about what this will do to
Hamlet, or perhaps, she is knowing that Hamlet will be destroyed by the knowledge
emotionally and mentally.
Hamlet feels that she did not
mourn his father's death long enough. In fact, Gertrude does say that she feels Hamlet's
mindset is due to her "o'rehasty marriage" (II, 2,
56-57).
In a sense, Gertrude does care enough about Hamlet.
Perhaps, she did not think it through before rushing into a marriage with Claudius.
Later on, she appears concerned with her son's mental
condition or madness. She desires to find the cause. Of course, she has stated that she
may be the cause.
As Hamlet is dying, Gertrude reveals her
love for Hamlet. She is poisoned herself and she does not repent for any sins that she
may have been hiding. One could infer that she had no part in the murder of King
Hamlet.
Then again, King Hamlet, who would know her better
than anyone, indicates that Gertrude is not what she seems when his ghost visits his
son. He states that she is a "seeming-virtuous queen"
(I.V.42-5)
Everyone knows that looks can be deceiving and
Hamlet certainly has lost respect for his mother.
By
rushing into a marriage with Claudius, two things could be revealed. Either she has been
having an affair or she is trying to save her position as queen. What other motives
could she have for marrying a man who is not only capable but has poisoned her
husband?
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