How Does Gertrude Treat Ophelia

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Although the male characters take lead in this Shakespearean play, the roles of Gertrude and Ophelia are both memorable. Neither of the women have many lines. However both roles are crucial although very different. Hamlets judgement on his mother’s behaviour following the death of his father greatly influences his subsequent treatment of Ophelia. He regards his mother’s present marriage as an occasion for bestial lust. This causes him to treat Ophelia with disdain and disgust uttering the famous quote ‘Get thee to a nunnery…..’
Gertrude is the catalyst for much that happens in the play. Claudius has killed his brother because he wanted his crown and seemingly his wife. He is unwilling to surrender either ’My crown, mine own ambition and my
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