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How Does Gertrude Present Familial Love In Hamlet

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The Themes of Hamlet: Love in Denmark

Through the interactions between young Prince Hamlet, his lover Ophelia, and his mother Queen Gertrude, Shakespeare explores the themes of romantic and familial love. The two main female characters are torn between their love for their families and love for their romantic lovers. Ophelia is torn between her love for Hamlet and loyalty to her father, and Gertrude must choose between her love for Claudius and love for Hamlet. Ultimately, Ophelia and Gertrude’s choices and interactions with the men in their lives suggest that familial love is stronger than romantic love. Hamlet’s treatment towards Ophelia reflects the fickleness of romantic love, and Ophelia’s obedience to her father demonstrates the strength of familial love. Likewise, Gertrude’s quick marriage with Claudius reflects the fickleness of romantic love, and Gertrude’s unwavering love for Hamlet demonstrates the strength of familial love. …show more content…
From the very start, Laertes and Polonius question Hamlet’s romantic love for Ophelia. Laertes calls Hamlet’s love “a violet in the youth of primy nature, forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,” (I.iii.8-9), and Polonius calls Hamlet’s vows of romantic love “springes to catch woodcock” (I.iii.125) - traps for ignorant girls that should not be mistaken for true love. Both men denounce Hamlet’s love as short-lived, and warn Ophelia of the brevity of youthful love. This scene introduces the frailty of romantic love, which is further explored through interactions between

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