Why does gertrude marry claudius

She is difficult to decipher, as we are unable to understand her actions and are never given access to her inner thoughts. Katie, I think Gertrude is such an important piece in this whole puzzle, and with her decision to marry Claudius, in turn eventually leads to the downfall of Hamlet.

Her inner thoughts would be useful to know when trying to figure out her rational, but I think you did a good job highlighting as much of her reasoning which is available to the reader. Katie, I agree, Gertrude is most certainly a hard character to get a handle on. My current interpretation is that she is a woman living in a difficult time. She has done what she needs to survive and remain comfortable. I do not personally believe she had a hand in killing her husband.

However, the fact that this questions looms over our head as an audience is what makes her character so interesting. Did Gertrude know her late husband was murdered by her new man? It secured his claim to the throne… and just maybe he was already in love with her. Kings were typically elected by the nobles and being the first born son did not guarantee ones secession. Wars often were waged to settle the dispute. But by marrying Gertrude, Claudius cemented his claim.

Whether Gertrude is guilty or complicit in the death of her husband is not conclusive, because the text does not say explicitly. But there are a few indicators that suggest that she is not completely innocent. First, when the ghost speaks, it says that incest and adultery have taken place. Hamlet speaks to the apparition, but Gertrude is unable to see it and believes him to be mad. Press ESC to cancel. Ben Davis January 26, Why does Claudius marry Gertrude?

Did Claudius marry Gertrude for power? When did Claudius marry Gertrude? Who is the queen married to in Hamlet? Why did Gertrude kill herself? What is the Ophelia Syndrome? O my dear Hamlet! Hamlet was against the marriage both because of the sexual life and the fact that his uncle was the murderer. After he kills his brother for the crown, he lies to Gertrude and marries her.

Gertrude drinks poisoned wine in the play and dies. She warns her son before dying that the wine is poisoned. By Marc C. Conner, Ph.

Even though he does not know the new king is the murderer, Hamlet is explicitly against the marriage for some reason, and he keeps accusing his mother of lust until she regrets her decision. Why Is Hamlet Mad?