Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on THE CHARACTER OF HAMLET’S MOTHER
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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper discusses the character of Gertrude as depicted and studied by Carolyn Heilbrun. The essay, The Character of Hamlet's Mother' is utilized. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_MBgertie.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Of these two categories it is most certainly the strong willed column that Hamlets Gertrude falls into. However, for more than a century, she has been portrayed as childlike, or
worse yet, stupid. Carolyn Heilbrun, in her seminal essay, "The Character of Hamlets Mother", argues that while Gertrude may, indeed, be governed by her passions, she is not unintelligent. In
fact, she may have been the shrewdest mind in the group. Consider that women during the time in which Shakespeare wrote were scarcely considered human,
let alone capable of rational thought. Thus, women who were depicted as being this way were considered to be somehow supernatural or abnormal in some way. Therefore, it would have
been to Shakespeares advantage to depict her as a strong female, given the plot of Hamlet. In the beginning of the story, young Prince
Hamlet is escorted to the battlefield where his friends and servants lead him to the ghost of his father who tells him that Claudius has murdered him and stolen his
Queen. Hamlet vows to avenge his fathers death. This is the pivotal action upon which the whole play hinges. Hamlet is convinced from this point on that his Uncle is
guilty. What he does not know is how involved his mother, Gertrude, is in the plotting of the old Kings death. Her over hasty marriage certainly does not improve Hamlets
perception of her innocence. Gertrude, rather than being the milk-toast character that many think her to be, is one of the most complex characters in
the novel. Her guiding passions are kept hidden from the audience, and yet, they are there to be seen if one cares to notice. Consider that the senior Hamlet was
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