How Does Gertrude Show Betrayal In Hamlet

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How Does Gertrude Show Betrayal In Hamlet

An Act of Betrayal in Hamlet
Through King Claudius’s choice to murder former King Hamlet and marry Gertrude, he betrays his brother, Hamlet, and even his own morals. This act of disloyalty and deceit turns Claudius against the other characters, and leads to their eventual demise.
In Act I, the ghost of King Hamlet proclaimed his anger towards Claudius, and spoke to Prince Hamlet of his “foul and most unnatural” death (Hamlet 1.5.25). In this exchange, the former king explained that his murderer poured poison into his ear as he slept in the garden- the same murderer who betrayed him and now wears his crown. King Hamlet continues by calling Claudius a villain, and telling The Prince that he has taken Gertrude from the pure love of her first marriage and corrupted the entire country of Denmark. To atone for his death, he asks the prince to seek revenge. Appalled by this revelation, Hamlet agrees to follow the Ghost’s exhortations. …show more content…
His ability to overlook Claudius’s devious smile and snide comments allow Hamlet to understand his ulterior motives of ultimate control and tremendous wealth. Prince Hamlet felt forsaken by both his mother and Claudius when they chose to join in marriage just after the death of his father. Hamlet mourned over the death of his father for quite some time, and Claudius did not complete a single act to console him, but rather debase and disgrace him. Cruel treatment and cold actions from Claudius constituted Hamlet’s assertion regarding his true motivations. When Prince Hamlet discovered this had not been a mistake but rather Claudius’s plan the entire time, sadness turns to rage and his bitter emotions towards Claudius became immensely

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