Essay Database

Gertrude. Gertrude the queen of Denmark is a simple shallow woman. She is weak but not evil. She contrasts with other characters in the play as she is capable of love and affection but is easily lead. Gertrude's selfishness is the one interesting trait in what is otherwise a very dull characterisation by Shakespeare. She loves to be happy. Her great anxiety seems to be to avoid trouble and to keep other people happy. Her …

…to killing a king and marrying his brother. It is ironic that Gertrudes death is a result of her one firm act in the play. She has been maneuvered by her second husband into moves which aid his cause throughout the play,leaving us with the impression that she is gullible, slow-witted and incapable of coming to grips with unpleasantness. There is little to admire in Gertrude, regardless of what pardons we make for her.