I was just wondering if anyone had any views on Hamlet and his mother's relationship? I'm doing A-level English literature and we have to write on this for a piece of coursework thanx

-- vicki tallett (baileys305@hotmail.com), November 06, 2001

Answers

Check out responses to other questions on Gertrude in this forum + especially responses to the question titled OEDIPUS COMPLEX.

-- catherine england (catherineamer@hotmail.com), November 09, 2001.

Hamlet loses all faith in women because he feels that his mother has too quickly forgotten his father. The scene where he tells Ophelia "get thee to a nunery!" is provoked by the betrayal he feels from his mother and then Opelia when she lies to him about where her father is. Hamlet loves his mother very much but is simply angered by her hasty marrage to Claudius and perhaps even the incest that appears to be involved in the matter. Hamlet loved his father as well remember and he might even suspect that Claudius and Gertrude had affairs before his untimely death. This provokes Hamlet to believe that all women are frail of judgement and weak of mind.

-- Ashley (Shirleypop69@yahoo.com), October 08, 2002.

I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER BUT IF ANYONE COULD AS WELL HELP ME OUT ON ANY VIEWS THAT THEY MAY HAVE ON HAMLET'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOTHER I WOULD BE MORE THAN GLAD.... THANK YOU..

-- NAOMI LORISTON (HAITIANPRINCESSNAY@YAHOO.COM), June 19, 2003.

i dont think many people have noticed but there is quite a strong love between the two, Hamlet loves his mother a lot, but mayby too much. Hamlets scenes with his mother are tumultuous in their incestuous overtones and overt actions, most prominently his assault of her in her bedroom. During this scene in the book, we are not as aware of their lust for one another as we are when it is actually performed. In the movie they engage in a very long and passionate kiss, their eyes are closed and the kiss is soft and at the end of the kiss the hold their mouths still against one another as if attempting to capture the kiss, this enduring image provokes the reader to believe The relationship between the two is more than that of a mother and son,

-- Jil (foxyjilian@hotmail.com), July 03, 2003.

It seems to me that Gertrude and Hamlet portray a brother/sister relationship, Hamlet being the figure Gertrude looks up to for all her problems. Gertrude is older and thus, more experienced than Hamlet, however, Hamlet seems wiser than his elder causing her to resent the advice he offers. Hamlet is hurt and embarrassed by Gertrude’s actions and partially feels responsible for his mother’s wrong choices; he is unable to guide and convince her that her behaviour is unacceptable.

-- Dee Dee (jmer498@hotmail.com), September 17, 2003.

... until Act III, Scene iv. (Thought I'd just add my two cents worth to that.)

-- catherine england (catherine_england@hotmail.com), September 18, 2003.

i think that it is Gertrude that is the crazy one. The Brannagh version portrays it to show that Hamlet make the point that she is incestious but instead of Gertrude being horrified she kisses him

-- Melisssa Cornwell (babydollangellr@hotmail.com), December 12, 2003.

HOW ABOUT...

UR MUM!

-- felix (ishatganj@hotmail.com), November 25, 2004.

I believe boys tend to think of their mothers as pure and virtuous, at least, that's how they want to feel. Gertrude marries Hamlet's uncle so quickly after his father's death (Funeral food leftovers served at wedding) that Hamlet's image of her has been shattered. She has gone from "sacred" to "slut" in his eyes. This definitely affects the feelings he has toward Ophelia. He believes women to be fickle after this and doesn't trust her.

-- Deborah Crowe (DCrowe@imlay.k12.mi.us), February 12, 2005.

i think you should all stop cheating, and do your own god damn work. have a lovely day. xxx

-- the boss (paulswift@gmail.com), March 07, 2005.

what do you mean that the Hamlet-Gertrude relationship is more than just mother-son? thats just crazy (and pretty disgusting) i just think that gertrude follows power and stability. When the king died, she needed stability and marrying her brother-in-law, would make her the queen again. now, hamlet feels very uncomfortable seeing his beloved mom, who once slept with his admired father, going to bed with his uncle. and, not only that, but since he was supposed to inherit the throne, he wont anymore. "first son of the first son" policy, which would mean that Claudius's son would inherit the throne now. this damages his relationship with his mother a lot. hope it was helpful!

-- Anonimous (espaalau@yahoo.com), March 10, 2005.