Hamlet
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
Hamlet Essay Topic #6
Hamlet's turning against the two women he loved was a result of the tragic events which occurred in his life and the need to avenge his father.
Hamlet's turning against his mother started with events which happened even before the beginning of the play. The marriage of Gertrude to Claudius not long after King Hamlet's death no doubt made an impact on Hamlet, one which would be imprinted in him until his death. At this point, however, Hamlet still loved his mother and was still on her side, as we see Hamlet's reply to his mother's request in Act 1, Scene II, Line 120, "I shall in all my best obey you, madam," which shows Hamlet's obedience to his mother. Although Hamlet still obeyed his mother, he would have felt the marriage was a betrayal a prelude to his turning against his mother. The next event which would ultimately lead to Hamlet's turning against his mother would be the appearance of the Ghost of King Hamlet. With the truth revealed to him, Hamlet completely turned against his mother, calling her a "pernicious woman" and a villain in Act 1, Scene V, believing her to be part of the conspiracy which resulted in the death of his father. Hamlet then decides to test his mother in Act 3, Scene II, by asking a group of performers to recreate what he thought were the events leading to the murder of his father. Queen Gertrude, however, replies with the calm statement, "The lady protests too much, methinks," which seems to show her innocence, satisfies Hamlet and prevents further conflict. In Act 3, Scene IV, we come to the climax of Hamlet and Gertrude's relationship, where Hamlet confronts the Queen and in doing so, Gertrude realizes what she has done and decides to side with Hamlet...