In Act 1 scene 2 Gertrude makes her first appearance and is presented alongside her new husband Claudius. Claudius addresses the Danish court and states Gertrude is ‘‘Th’imperial jointress to this warlike state’’ which highlights her important role in the ruling of Denmark and that Claudius seemingly sees her as an equal. In addition Gertrude’s marriage to Claudius provides political and domestic continuity which benefits Denmark which has become a ‘‘warlike state’’ due to young Fortinbras of Norway. Gertrude’s first words are directed to Hamlet as are her last words emphasising her concern for her son’s welfare. Her first words request Hamlet to ‘‘cast thy knighted colour off’’ and she states that death is common. One interpretation of this may be that she is appealing to Hamlet to be happy and is trying to comfort him in a positive way however critics such as A.C Bradley may interpret Gertrude’s first speech to be insensitive to Hamlet’s grief for the loss of his father.
The audience’s perception of Gertrude is mainly influenced by other main characters in the play as Gertrude herself has very little speech. Hamlet is one of the dominant voices in the play and is the eponymous hero. His view of his mother is presented very strongly through his speech directed to and about her which is persuasive, making the audience more likely to sympathise with him. It is obvious from Hamlet’s first soliloquy that he feels disgusted and angry at his mother’s actions and is more obsessed with her behaviour than the actual death of his father as he speaks about the matter very passionately. The language is his soliloquy is obsessive and full of disrupted lines emphasising his unstableness due to his ‘‘violent emotions toward his mother’’. Moreover Hamlet expresses his desire for death wishing that his ‘‘too too sullied flesh would melt, /Thaw and resolve itself into a dew,’’ It is possible that Hamlet’s extreme emotions may have distorted his perception of his mother resulting in his bitter words concerning her behaviour. Hamlet also conveys the traditional view of women as he states how Gertrude did not mourn long enough for his father by comparing her to a beast who ‘‘Would have mourn’d longer’’, highlighting the Elizabethan expectation of women. It is clear that Gertrude sees the situation differently to Hamlet and is more pragmatic in her thinking. A.C Bradley’s view of Gertrude in this context mirrors Hamlets as he believes her to be ‘‘untroubled by any shame’’ of her hasty marriage and Hamlet’s feelings towards the matter. Both Hamlet’s and A.C Bradley’s views reflect the traditional Elizabethan and Victorian perception of women.
In Act 2 Scene 2 Gertrude agrees for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet. This agreement from Gertrude may be interpreted as a betrayal of Hamlet, allowing them to spy on him. However it may also be interpreted that Gertrude, truly as a doting mother, wants the best for him and so by spying on Hamlet the true cause for his so called madness can be discovered. Yet Gertrude reveals her lack of knowledge for Hamlet and believes that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are the two men ‘‘to whom he most adheres.’’ In reality Hamlet’s true companion is Horatio. She however demonstrates her intuitive understanding by analysing Hamlet’s grief and understanding the cause for it to be ‘‘no other but the main, /His father’s death’’ and her ‘‘o’er hasty marriage’’. By the end of Act 2 it is clear that Gertrude has an inner influence over the three men and is the ‘‘object of violent conflicting emotions’’ for them.
Claudius and Gertrude’s relationship is presented as civil and one in which they both show respect and affection towards one another. Claudius defers to Gertrude many times showing how he values her opinion for most matters. He directly consults his ‘‘dear Gertrude’’ when Polonius claims to have found the cause for Hamlet’s change. Gertrude’s attractiveness proves to be one of the causes for Claudius’ crime as is she one of the results. Claudius perceives Gertrude as a possession as does Hamlet even though he is obsessed with her and loves her. When Claudius is confessing his reasons for which he did the murder he states Gertrude last, ‘‘My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.’’ Claudius clearly shows that he views Gertrude as his possession yet he mentions her last suggesting that becoming king and his own ambitions are more important than her. In addition Claudius uses Gertrude as a pawn to uncover the reasons for Hamlet’s change. Gertrude is complicit and obeys Claudius’ wishes however she never directly betrays Hamlet to Claudius for example she never reveals what truly happens in the closet scene. Therefore Gertrude does demonstrate her loyalties to both men even if they are divided.
The reactions of old Hamlet towards Gertrude are presented through the Ghost which appears to Hamlet in Act I scene 5. The Ghost ‘‘expresses simultaneous outrage, disgust and protectiveness’’ in his first speech to Hamlet clearly highlighting his disapproval of Claudius’ and Gertrude’s marriage. The Ghost attacks Claudius and Gertrude’s sexual relationship implying that it is ‘‘incestuous’’ and that the ‘‘adulterate’’ Claudius seduced his ‘‘most-seeming virtuous queen’’. However it seems that the Ghost makes more accusations about Gertrude’s behaviour than Claudius’. The Ghost describes Gertrude as a ‘‘radiant angel’’ who insulted his vows he made to her in marriage to move on and ‘‘prey on garbage’’. Both the Ghost’s and Hamlet’s views mirror one another as they both view Claudius’ and Gertrude’s marriage as incestuous and focus more of their attention on Gertrude rather than Claudius. The Ghost uses the word ‘‘adulterate’’ to describe Claudius’ actions but Hamlet never accuses Gertrude of adultery. Hamlet’s main concern is his mother’s hasty marriage to his uncle whom he abhors. Moreover the Ghost despises the fact that Claudius has taken his wife from him and portrays their relationship in bestial terms: ‘‘that adulterate beast’’. Hamlet criticises both Claudius and Gertrude but her apparent betrayal of marrying his uncle at ‘‘most wicked speed!’’ seems to be what Hamlet is focused on. However Gertrude acts differently to how the Ghost and Hamlet describe her and nothing in her words and actions suggest that she is a ‘‘sensual, deceitful woman’’ To a modern audience she seems far more the opposite and certainly not a ‘‘weak and unfaithful wife’’. Gertrude is constantly concerned for Hamlet, Claudius and others such as Ophelia whom she is fond of and trusts that her ‘‘good beauties’’ can produce a cure for Hamlet. Much of her dialogue is in the form of questions such as ‘‘Why, how now, Hamlet?’’ showing her concern for him. Through her speech and actions Gertrude suggests that she isn’t a guileful or carnal woman. However Gertrude is seen as a sexualised object by the three men in her life as Claudius states that she has been ‘‘Taken to wife’’ by him highlighting his perception of Gertrude as an object. This view leads these three men to think that Gertrude should behave in a way they consider appropriate for a woman. A.C Bradley also has a stereotypical view of Gertrude and overall believes that she should have been more loyal to old Hamlet.
In Act 3 Scene 4 in the Closet scene, Gertrude is complicit in Claudius’ plan to spy on Hamlet knowing that Polonius is listening behind the arras. Some believe that Gertrude’s actions of deliberately deceiving Hamlet show her intentions not to be honourable. However Gertrude’s actions can also be seen as those which should benefit Hamlet and help find the cause of his change. However Hamlet takes control and verbally attacks Gertrude about her bad deed as to ‘‘kill a king and marry with his brother.’’ This accusation causes Gertrude to innocently question his words; ‘‘As kill a King?’’ this rhetorical question confirms her innocence which A.C Bradley agrees is an ‘‘evidently genuine’’ response implying that Gertrude had no involvement in the murder of old Hamlet.