Gertrude & Iokaste

The lives of Iocasta and Gertrude were manipulated by someone of a superior stature. Iokaste was merely a pawn used by the gods to fulfill the prophecy predicted by the Oracle. Oedipus was destined to murder his father and wed his mother. Although Iokaste had wanted nothing more but to raise her family and revel in their pleasures, her existence was used to aid Oedipus in meeting his destiny. Gertrude’s manipulation, however, was more direct to human involvement. In order for Claudius to attain kingship, he had to kill his brother and marry Gertrude. Otherwise, Hamlet, being the next direct heir to the throw

Both women proved to be incestuous as Iokaste wed her son and Gertrude wed her brother-in-law. The ghost in “Hamlet” says, “Ay, that incestuous and adulterate beast. (“Hamlet”, Page 258, Line 42) Although Gertrude may not have had relations with a biological relative, such as Iokaste, marrying ones husbands brother was considered incestuous during the days of Greek mythology. Iokastes incestuous ways are depicted when Oedipus says “Ah, the net of incest, mingling fathers, brothers, sons, with brides, wives, mothers: the last evil that can be known by men: no tongue can say how evil!” (“Oedipus Rex”, Pg. 234, Lines 179-182) This quote shows Oedipus in agony after he’s realized that he has fallen victim to the Oedipal Complex. It is quoted, “Iokaste bared children of her children” (“The Hero And The City, Pg. 34) This quote demonstrates Iokaste’s incestuous ways by adding emphasis on her children’s father and brother.

n, would have become king. Both of these women met their fate through deceit and trickery.

Iokaste was afraid of the truth so she refused to accept it. She says “For Apollo said my child was doomed to kill him-poor baby-it was my child that died first.” (“Oedipus, Pg. 219. Lines 236-228) This quote clearly illustrates that Iokaste believed her child was killed and therefore possibly couldn’t have know that she was indeed married to him. When Iokaste learns of the news that Polybus has died, she rejoices, thinking that the prophecy cannot be fulfilled now. However, she is too blinded by her own fear of the prophecy, that she cant see that Oedipus, a man many years younger than her, was her biological son.

Some topics in this essay:
City Pg, City” Pg, Hamlet” Pg185, Gertrude Claudius’, Otherwise Hamlet, Delphi Daulia”, Hamlet” Pg, , Oracle Oedipus, Gertrude Iokaste, “hamlet” pg, pg 291 line, gertrude’s manipulation, “the hero, gertrude’s innocence, pg 291, 291 line, quote illustrates, iokaste afraid, blatantly obvious, kill king,