Hamlet >< Gertrude

     The sweet mother-son relationship is so stereotypical. We all know of it! Could be the "momma's boy" case; or, maybe the crazy-respectful-I will protect you like a husband should-situation. However, when comparing to Hamlet and his relationship with his mother, Gertrude, we see neither stereotypes.

      The result of one death negatively affected both Hamlet and Queen Gertrude's entire lifestyle. King Hamlet was reigning in Denmark for years and was happily married to Queen Gertrude. After the unexpected death of the King, their lives would then slowly unravel. The unraveling didn't occur  long after, however! A month following King Hamlet's passing, Gertrude married Claudius. Yea marriage! Wrong. Claudius was King Hamlet's brother. That's disturbing. Because of that wedding, Claudius then became king of Denmark, replacing King Hamlet's position. Position in government and, perhaps, position in Gertrude's heart. That was a fast recovery of loss, no?  The Queen's intentions, it seems, was to keep life "normal." However, her absurd actions stirred anger, confusion and resentment in Hamlet's heart.

     Who wouldn't be shaken up by: the death of a father, the quick replacement of his uncle by marriage to his mother and then the appearance of a ghost? I would go mad. Wait a second, ghost? Yes, the ghost was of the King, explaining to his son Hamlet that Claudius was responsible for his death. Claudius murdered him; all for the sake of the throne.

    Trying to cope with the flux of dreadful discoveries, Hamlet seems to go psycho. It appears to be logical, right? I mean, after all Hamlet has been through a lot at this point? I have yet to answer that question myself. Nonetheless, Hamlet bottles up all of his feelings, attempting to keep them to himself. This doesn't last long though. Hamlet finds himself in the room of his mother, spilling all of the news that has so negatively affected himself. He tells of all the wickedness relating to Claudius. Gertrude cannot believe her own ears. She longs to wish she had never heard what Hamlet exclaims.

     Hamlet; not afraid of how he feels, portrays that and suffers. Gertrude; lover of normalcy and longs for things to remain how they were. Two polar opposite characters in how they think, act and handle the situation altogether. Although Hamlet and Gertrude lack sameness, they seem to share one thing in common: they both lose in the end.