Did Gertrude participate in Old Hamlets murder? Why and how do you know?
Gertrude was never formally accused of participating in Old Hamlets murder however, eyeing her in a suspicious light isn't a farfetched concept due to her "O'er hasty" nuptials to Claudius, Old Hamlets brother, present day King, and prime suspect to his murder according to the ghost.
One of the central themes of Hamlet was based on his getting advice from the apparition of his recently deceased father. The ghost of old Hamlet appeared to his son and told Hamlet of his murder by his brother Claudius, and specifically called Hamlet to avenge him.
However the ghost never implicated Gertrude of committing or even conspiring in his murder. His only malcontent with his former wife was an issue of morality and affinity. (Katherine of Aragon was divorced from the English monarchy for affinity of first husband and Henry VIII)
But even though the ghost referred to Gertrude as a "seeming virtuous queen", it orders Hamlet not to confront her and leave her judgment to heaven.
It would seem that if Gertrude had any part in Old Hamlets murder the ghost would have wanted Hamlet to kill her inherently, since her participation would have been a more cold-blooded betrayal due to their marriage. The ghost expresses that his love for Gertrude was benevolent, as he states that he would have held back the elements if they "visited her face too roughly".
Gertrude was never formally accused of participating in Old Hamlets murder however, eyeing her in a suspicious light isn't a farfetched concept due to her "O'er hasty" nuptials to Claudius, Old Hamlets brother, present day King, and prime suspect to his murder according to the ghost.
One of the central themes of Hamlet was based on his getting advice from the apparition of his recently deceased father. The ghost of old Hamlet appeared to his son and told Hamlet of his murder by his brother Claudius, and specifically called Hamlet to avenge him.
However the ghost never implicated Gertrude of committing or even conspiring in his murder. His only malcontent with his former wife was an issue of morality and affinity. (Katherine of Aragon was divorced from the English monarchy for affinity of first husband and Henry VIII)
But even though the ghost referred to Gertrude as a "seeming virtuous queen", it orders Hamlet not to confront her and leave her judgment to heaven.
It would seem that if Gertrude had any part in Old Hamlets murder the ghost would have wanted Hamlet to kill her inherently, since her participation would have been a more cold-blooded betrayal due to their marriage. The ghost expresses that his love for Gertrude was benevolent, as he states that he would have held back the elements if they "visited her face too roughly".
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