One of the numerous ways students and researchers can analyze a literary character is to pay attention to what they say and what others say about them. At the same time, it is also essential to be careful ad make sure that the words spoken are precisely what the analyzed character means. For example, in one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Hamlet, the relationship between the protagonist and his mother, Gertrude, escalates significantly in Act 3, Scene 4, and it can be pretty challenging to assess whether they are telling each other what they think.
This scene is dedicated to how Hamlet, summoned to his mother’s chamber, accuses her of getting married to his uncle and supposes that she participated in the murder of his father. The audience now actually sees that Hamlet is behaving irrationally and losing his mind: his actions, for example, the blind murder of Polonius, show that he cannot control himself. Throughout this scene, Hamlet expresses contempt for his mother several times: “you question with a wicked tongue” (Shakespeare 3.4.2451); “Mother, you have my father much offended” (Shakespeare 3.4.2449); “A bloody deed — almost as bad, good mother, / As kill a king and marry with his brother” (3.4.2470-2471). However, even though Hamlet threatens to murder Gertrude to “wring” her heart (3.4.2479), the audience can understand that he loves his mother and wants her to repent of her sins and end the relationship with Hamlet’s uncle. His harsh and accusatory words are dictated not only by darkened consciousness but also by a strong love for his mother.
At the same time, the audience can see that Gertrude is also not honest with her son. While it is impossible to be sure whether she participated in the king’s murder, it is clear that she is not convinced by Hamlet’s words. While she says that she can now “see such black and grainèd spots” in her soul (Shakespeare 3.4.2537), and Hamlet has “cleft my heart in twain” (3.4.2613), she just tries to tell what her son wants to hear. Of course, she may be under the impression of his speech, but her only desire is to save her life and seek help from Claudius.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. New Folger Library, 1775. New Folger Library, Web.