Gertrude, Claudius, and Hamlet Various Perspectives of Death

Losing a loved one can be difficult, hard, and can even drive a person insane. In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet death takes its toll on the entire royal family. When King Hamlet died, it caused Claudius to take the thrown and the hand of queen Gertrude. As soon as the King and Queen hear about how mad Hamlet has gone they discuss the idea of death and wonder if the thought of death or not mourning the made him go crazy. Claudius quotes, â€Å"When sorrows come, they come not single spies. But in battalions† (3.4.52-53). This quote symbolizes that death brings sorrow and how this is a view on death. Although mourning is common between characters in the beginning of the play, views on death become different and apparent among†¦show more content†¦The quote means that he wants her to repent before it is to late and she is damn’d to an eternity in Hell. When advice is given it is sometimes given as a comfort or a closure for the one who has lost a loved one. Richard Fly wrote the article Accommodating Death: The Ending of Hamlet, which states that Gertrude tries to use her words as a comfort to her son by explaining that it is simply part of life. Gertrude explains, â€Å"Thou know’st tis common: All that lives must die passing through nature to eternity† (257). Gertrude does not seem to show much sympathy for King Hamlet being dead because she thinks it is something that is supposed to happen eventually. Gertrude also hopes her words will be a comfort her son to make him feel at ease with his father’s death. Killing someone could possibly take a toil on how death is viewed in that person. Claudius reacts differently to death, which may be due to the fact that he did indeed kill his brother for the title of king. Claudius explains to Hamlet, â€Å"Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe, Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature That we with wisest sorrow think on him Together with remembrance of ourselves† (1.2.1-5). This quote says that yes life goes on but remembering yourselfShow MoreRelatedHamlet Analysis Essay On Hamlet954 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeares play, Hamlet, is an intriguing and intricate drama about an individual who wants to avenge the death of his father. Prince Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet, was once king and the throne was inherited by his evil brother, King Claudius. In addition to inheriting the throne, Claudius has married Prince Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, which is perceived as weird and unlawful. Interestingly, Prince Hamlet has cohesive evidence that King Claudius is responsible for the death of his father. As aRead MoreHamlet Plot Analysis1651 Words   |  7 PagesExposition A. Who? †¢ Hamlet, Ophelia, Ghost, Francisco, Fortinbras, Reynaldo, Horatio, Claudius (king). B. When? †¢ This story took place in the 15th century specifically in Medieval times. C. Where? †¢ The story occurred in Denmark, specifically in Elsinore. D. Background information: †¢ Hamlet, seeks revenge in his uncle who had killed his father who was the king. The story involved Hamlet who seeks justice upon his father, then seeks the opportunity to claimRead MorePerfect Idealism In Shakespeares Hamlet1631 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The play Hamlet is a fable of how the ghost of a slain king comes to haunt the living with disastrous consequences. A rancorous ghost and a brother s murder, lead the gloomy setting of Hamlet s Denmark. Hamlet story opens with an encounter between young Hamlet, his dad s ghost as well as the prince of Denmark. The ghost reveals to Hamlet that its murderer was his brother Claudius, who then rapidly wedded his widowed queen, Gertrude. As a result, the ghost presses Hamlet to seek vengeanceRead MoreHamlet - Misplaced Loyalty Essay examples878 Words   |  4 Pagesstation and is exemplified in Shakespeares Hamlet. The philosophy of the divine right of kings and the natural balance of power move Hamlet into action to avenge his fathers murder and set his nation, as well has his life, back to order. He accomplishes this task though various means, though all in proportion with his end in settling with Claudius, solving differences with his mother and in sizing up his friendship with Rosenc rantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet is at first understandably dismayed andRead MoreHamlet: a Feminist Approach Essay examples1224 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet: A Feminist Approach Sexism: the belief or attitude that one sex is inherently superior to, more competent than, or more valuable than the other (most commonly used for male superiority). This idea that women are weak is not a new one in the modern world. It has been studied for countless years along with the concept of a patriarchal society. A patriarchy is defined as a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. Such systems currentlyRead MoreRevenge in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1539 Words   |  7 PagesTragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is one of William Shakespeare’s most renowned works of literature. Published in the very early sixteenth century, the play remains to be the longest of all Shakespearean works and the most popular as well. Perhaps what is so appealing about this masterpiece, the tragic story of the death of King Hamlet, murdered by Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, who later marries Queen Gertrude in order to take the thr one, and Prince Hamlet’s journey to exact revenge on Claudius for allRead MoreHamlet As A Nihilism1566 Words   |  7 Pages William Shakespeare s Hamlet portrays as multitude of ideas, meanings and interpretations. In this essay, I will focus on analyzing Hamlet through the post-modern existential lens of nihilism. Nihilism has five main types; political, moral, epistemological, cosmic, and existential. Throughout the course of the play, Hamlet shows many characteristics that showcase these principles , such as apathy and despair. Hamlet is a nihilist character because through his actions of mania and despair heRead MoreThe Sanity Of Shakespeare s Hamlet793 Words   |  4 Pagesspecifically the play Hamlet, for years without end. It is apparent that the character Hamlet, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, maintains his sanity. Few experts believe that Hamlet’s insanity is clearly demonstrated by his actions. Some scholars believe that Hamlet proves to be undoubtedly insane during various situations. Maurice Baudin states, in â€Å"The Rà ´le of the Ghost† from Modern Language Notes, that the scene where Hamlet and Gertrude are in the bedroom conversing only Hamlet sees the ghost suggestsRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet Essay3604 Words   |  15 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet Hamlet was written around the year 1600 in the final years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who had been the monarch of England for more than forty years and was then in her late sixties. The prospect of Elizabeth’s death and the question of who would succeedRead MoreHamlet And The Basic Human Need For Truth1478 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet and the Basic Human Need for Truth Marcus Aurelius is quoted as saying, â€Å"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.† This idea is examined in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a play full of warmly delivered lies and completely intentional deceit. Hamlet himself shows how a life full of lies and deceit breeds a desire for something real. In the beginning of the play, authenticity is introduced as a rare trait and the Ghost reveals treachery