A Comparison of Hamlet’s Gertrude and Ophelia Essay -- William Shakes

A Compari male child of Hamlets Gertrude and Ophelia Queen Gertrude and Ophelia, the main young-bearing(prenominal) characters in Shakespe bes dramatic tragedy Hamlet, have a pastiche of personal qualities and experiences in common. This essay, with the help of literary critics, will explore this commonality. In the Introduction to Twentieth Century Interpretations of Hamlet, David Bevington enlightens the reader regarding the similarities between Gertrude and Ophelia as the wedge shape sees them Yet to Hamlet, Ophelia is no better than a nonher Gertrude both atomic number 18 tenderize of heart but submissive to the will of importunate men, and so are forced into uncharacteristic vices. Both would be other than what they are, and both ascertain Hamlets exhortations to begin repentance by abstaining from pleasure. Get thee to a nunnery Assume a virtue if you have it not. (9) As Bevington says, both Gertrude and Ophelia are tender of heart, motivated by love and a desire for alleviate familial harmony among the members of their courtly society in Elsinore. At the prime(prenominal) social function in the play, Gertrude is motivated out of love for her son to advise Dear Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off, And let thine oculus look like a friend on Denmark. Do not for ever with thy vailed lids Seek for thy noble sky pilot in the dust. (1.2) Likewise does she assume that the prince remain with the family Let not thy mother lose her requesters, Hamlet, / I pray thee stay with us, go not to Wittenberg. Later, when the heros supposed foolishness is the big concern, Gertrude lovingly sides with her husband in the analysis of her sons condition I doubt it is no other but the main, / His fathers death and our oerhasty marriage. Later she confides her family... ...NJ Hayden Book Co., Inc., 1973. Jorgensen, Paul A. Hamlet. William Shakespeare the Tragedies. capital of momma Twayne Publ., 1985. N. pag. http//www.freehomepages.com/hamlet/other/jorg-hamlet.ht ml Kermode, Frank. Hamlet. The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974. Pennington, Michael. Ophelia Madness Her Only riskless Haven. Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from Hamlet A Users Guide. sweet York Limelight Editions, 1996. Pitt, Angela. Women in Shakespeares Tragedies. Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1996. Rpt. from Shakespeares Women. N.p. n.p., 1981. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http//www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html