We weren't sure who's turn it was, so we decided to summarize Act III, Scene IV.
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Act III, Scene IV begins with Hamlet rudely entering Queen Gertrude's bedroom, where Gertrude is waiting with Polonius (who's hiding behind an arras so that he can listen to the conversation). She called on Hamlet so that she could tell him he offended Claudius, but Hamlet says that she offended Hamlet's dead father. Hamlet talks to his mother and tries to convince her to hear where he's coming from. Frustrated, Hamlet thrusted two pictures into Gertrude's face - one of her first husband, and one of her second. While he did this, Gertrude feared for her safety because he was being so forceful. When Gertrude calls for help and Polonius gives away his hiding spot, Hamlet kills him, and Gertrude says it's a bloody deed (Hamlet murdering Polonius). Hamlet counters that by saying that it's almost as bloody a deed as the murder of a king and marriage with his brother.
Since Hamlet's father died, there had never been a moment's rest. Claudius and Gertrude married within a month of his death, and they basically partied every night. Hamlet wanted to force Gertrude into facing what happened and what she did to his father, but she didn't seem to want to. Hamlet wanted to make it clear that Claudius is 1/100th of the man that his father was before he was murdered, and that Gertrude made a mistake.
Suddenly, the ghost of Hamlet's father appeared, possibly because Hamlet came close to harming Gertrude. Hamlet then talks about the ghost of his father that he sees, and the queen says "Alas, he's mad!" since she can't see him. Hamlet then explains what he sees to her and tells her to keep it a secret. When the ghost leaves, Hamlet tells Gertrude to stay out of Claudius' bed after she basically asks "what do you want me to do?", and Hamlet seems sort of obsessed with his mother's sexuality (using pigs as an example).
At the end of the scene it is mentioned that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern will escort Hamlet to England. Even though these gentlemen were once Hamlet's friends, he is suspicious of them now and compares them to poisonous snakes, since their loyalties most likely lie with Claudius.
Questions:
- Why can't Gertrude see the ghost as well?
- Why is the ghost still concerned about Gertrude, even though she supposedly helped with his murder?
- Why does it seem like Gertrude needs to be told (by men) what to think and how to feel?
Excellent summary! :) I definitely think you covered all the main points of this scene.
ReplyDeleteAs for the questions, I think that Hamlet's father truly loved Gertrude, so even though she may have helped with the murder, he understands her and forgives her because that's how strong his feelings were for her. Gertrude not seeing the ghost...that's a tricky one. If I were to answer, I would say that maybe it's because Hamlet has yet to accept the reality of his father's death and that Gertrude has already moved on. However, this would not explain why the guards were able to see the past king. Another possibility may be that Hamlet's father, as the ghost, can control who is able to see him because if this is the case, he doesn't want to distress the queen and give her a scare (when the ghost first talks to Hamlet, he tells him to not involve the queen in his revenge plot). Since this play occurred way back, Gertrude may have had no choice but to obey because she lacks power and society (at the time) did not allow her to make her own decisions.
Great extension on the summaty, Linda. My only quibble would be the idea that Gertrude may have been involved in the murder...
ReplyDeleteToday when we read I really got the idea that she was sincere when seh was acting like she had no prior knowledge. That doesn't mean I'm right, it just means I think I could find enough textual proof to make the case.
Why is the ghost still concerned about Gertrude, even though she supposedly helped with his murder?
ReplyDeleteI think that the ghost is still concerned about Gertrude because he loves her. Their relationship was intact at the time when he was murdered, so his feelings are still there. Even if she had been involved in his murder, it can be hard to let go of your feelings for someone you love even in an extreme case.
I highly agree with the point Madison has brought forward. Love conquers all, even being a cliche, can be thought to be true in this case. What I mean by that is that the love the ghost has for Gertrude could conquer his hate for her possible involvement in his murder.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't Gertrude see the ghost as well?
ReplyDeleteConsidering that the ghost is adamant about not harming Gertrude and leaving her alone to suffer through her own guilt.
I believe with dead Hamlet randomly appearing as a ghost that might cause some psychological damage. Depending on your view of “paranormal activity” I would think that most people would freak out if they saw a ghost of someone who was close to them because the person is supposed to be dead. Also, that might be seen as madness back then claiming to have seen a ghost of your deceased husband. So she would have suffered socially because people would have thought she was some crazy lady.
So with the ghost not wanting Gertrude to be harmed in any way, I believe that Hamlet appearing to her would have gone against what he wanted. Therefore, the ghost appearing to her wouldn't have gone over well.
Why does it seem like Gertrude needs to be told (by men) what to think and how to feel?
Back in Shakespeare’s time women’s rights were nearly non-existent. Women had to follow and obey with what the men had ordered.
So, the idea of women expressing their opinions was frowned upon because they were seen as inferior as intellectuals. But what Gertrude and other women said and did in front of others, as social etiquette so to speak in those times, may have been entirely different from how they actually felt.
Keenan, it's an interesting sugestion that the ghost may have chosen to not appear to Gertrude in order to save her from harm.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct in that Shakespeare's women just don't get the same amount of limelight as the men. This is partly a function of the fact that men were acting the women's parts. Assumably, it was just too difficult for men to pass of the illusion of being women for any length of time.
I firmly believe that if Shakespeare had had women to cast, their roles would be expanded.