Hamlet’s Relationship with His Mother Gertrude

The relationship between Hamlet and his mother, Queen Gertrude, is one of the most intriguing and nuanced aspects of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It reflects themes of love, betrayal, and familial duty, offering deep insight into the emotional turmoil and moral quandaries that define the play.


This bond often strained, sometimes tender is central to understanding Hamlet’s psyche and the tragic arc of the story.

Gertrude’s Role in the Court of Denmark

Gertrude, as queen of Denmark, occupies a pivotal position in the royal court. Her marriage to Claudius, her deceased husband’s brother, sets the stage for the play’s central conflict.

This controversial union not only sparks Hamlet’s fury but also casts doubt on her loyalty and moral compass. While the play never explicitly condemns Gertrude, her actions provoke significant tension and uncertainty.

From Hamlet’s perspective, Gertrude’s remarriage is both hasty and inappropriate. Her decision to wed Claudius within weeks of King Hamlet’s death undermines her son’s mourning and sense of propriety. For Hamlet, this act is a betrayal of his father’s memory and an affront to the sanctity of marriage. His anger is palpable when he laments in Act 1, Scene 2: “Frailty, thy name is woman!” This condemnation, though directed at women in general, is rooted in his disillusionment with Gertrude.

Hamlet’s Oedipal Undertones

Scholars have long debated the presence of Oedipal undertones in Hamlet’s relationship with Gertrude. Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory suggests that Hamlet harbors unconscious desires for his mother, which manifest in his obsessive concern with her sexuality and relationships. While this interpretation remains controversial, it sheds light on Hamlet’s intense reactions to Gertrude’s marriage to Claudius.

The infamous closet scene (Act 3, Scene 4) exemplifies this tension. Here, Hamlet confronts Gertrude in her private chamber, berating her for her perceived moral failings. His graphic descriptions of her intimacy with Claudius suggest a fixation that goes beyond filial concern. However, Hamlet’s ultimate goal in this scene is to awaken Gertrude’s conscience and persuade her to repent, not to express any forbidden desire.

Gertrude’s Perspective: A Balancing Act

Gertrude’s motivations and inner thoughts remain largely enigmatic throughout the play. Shakespeare offers few soliloquies or direct insights into her character, leaving her actions open to interpretation.

Some view her as a pragmatic figure, prioritizing political stability and personal security over emotional fidelity. Others argue that she is naive or manipulated, unable to fully grasp the ramifications of her choices.

Despite her seeming complicity, Gertrude’s interactions with Hamlet reveal genuine maternal affection. She often attempts to soothe his grief and temper his anger, as seen in her plea during the closet scene: “O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.” This line underscores her vulnerability and suggests that she is not entirely indifferent to his suffering.

The Ghost’s Influence on Hamlet’s Perception

The ghost of King Hamlet plays a crucial role in shaping Hamlet’s view of Gertrude. When the ghost reveals that Claudius murdered him, it emphasizes Gertrude’s innocence in the crime. Yet, the ghost’s ambiguous command to “leave her to heaven” complicates Hamlet’s response. While he is instructed to spare Gertrude, his anguish over her actions persists.
This directive places Hamlet in a moral quandary. He struggles to reconcile his filial duty to avenge his father with his obligation to respect his mother. This tension fuels his inner conflict and contributes to his erratic behavior throughout the play.

Loyalty and betrayal are central to Hamlet’s relationship with Gertrude. For Hamlet, loyalty to his father’s memory is paramount, and he perceives Gertrude’s remarriage as a betrayal of that loyalty. This perception is heightened by the cultural and religious norms of the Elizabethan era, which emphasized the sanctity of marriage and the mourning period for a deceased spouse.

However, Gertrude’s actions can also be interpreted as a pragmatic response to her circumstances. As a widow in a patriarchal society, her options for maintaining power and security were limited. Her marriage to Claudius may reflect a calculated decision to preserve her status and protect her son’s inheritance.

The Closet Scene: A Turning Point

The closet scene is arguably the emotional and dramatic climax of Hamlet’s relationship with Gertrude. In this intense confrontation, Hamlet seeks to hold Gertrude accountable for her actions and compel her to see Claudius as the villain he is. He accuses her of moral corruption, using vivid and harsh imagery to illustrate his disgust.

Despite the intensity of his anger, Hamlet’s ultimate goal in this scene is reconciliation. By exposing Claudius’s true nature, he hopes to restore Gertrude’s moral integrity and rekindle her loyalty to his father’s memory. Gertrude’s response to this confrontation is one of shock and remorse, suggesting that Hamlet’s words have a profound impact on her.

Gertrude’s Tragic End

Gertrude’s death in the final act serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of the play’s events. She drinks from a poisoned cup intended for Hamlet, an act that can be interpreted as a moment of maternal sacrifice or unwitting fatalism. Her dying words, “The drink, the drink! I am poisoned,” highlight her vulnerability and the collateral damage caused by Claudius’s machinations.

Gertrude’s demise also symbolizes the ultimate breakdown of her relationship with Hamlet. Despite their moments of reconciliation, the unresolved tensions and misunderstandings between them underscore the tragic dimensions of the play.

Conclusion

The relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude is a rich tapestry of love, disappointment, and moral conflict. Gertrude’s actions, whether viewed as betrayal or pragmatism, profoundly shape Hamlet’s journey and the play’s tragic trajectory. Their bond exemplifies the complexities of familial relationships, highlighting the interplay of loyalty, duty, and personal desire. Through their interactions, Shakespeare masterfully explores the depths of human emotion and the enduring impact of grief and betrayal.

References

1. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Various editions.
2. Bradley, A. C. Shakespearean Tragedy. London: Macmillan, 1904.
3. Freud, Sigmund. "The Oedipus Complex as an Explanation of Hamlet’s Mystery." The Interpretation of Dreams, 1899.
4. Bloom, Harold. Hamlet: Poem Unlimited. New York: Riverhead Books, 2003.
5. Leverenz, David. "The Woman in Hamlet: An Interpersonal View." Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 1978.
6. Greenblatt, Stephen. Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. New York: W.W. Norton, 2004.
7. Wilson, John Dover. What Happens in Hamlet. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1935.
8. Kermode, Frank. Shakespeare’s Language. New York: Allen Lane, 2000.
9. Smith, Rebecca. "A Heart Cleft in Twain: The Dilemma of Gertrude." Modern Language Studies, 1980.
10. Adelman, Janet. Suffocating Mothers: Fantasies of Maternal Origin in Shakespeare’s Plays. New York: Routledge, 1992.