... Poetic justice is served amongst all the players involved with Hamlet including his incestuous mother. Many critics note the Oedipal conflicts within the verse of Hamlet. Again Hamlet's conflict of "medieval chivalry- (Blits) and the Christian belief system becomes apparent as "he censures both Gertrude and Claudius for improper surrender to the passions of concupiscence."" (Levy) Both characters succumb ... created her own finality by allowing her mortal inclinations to precede logic. Ophelia's degeneration into madness disservices her gender but again parallels the underlying theme tha...

• Word Count: 1121
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , what's the matter?" However, the fact that he overpowers Gertrude and belittles her does not necessarily reflect his strength as a character because she is a woman in an era when female opinions counted for little. When Hamlet shows his lust for his mother it is arguably a sign of weakness, for it is ... the line, "Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended," with authority, like a mother speaking to a disobedient child. Her strength as a character and as a woman is illustrated by the way in which, she faces Hamlet, and with angrily in her defence asks, "Ay me, what act that roars so ...

• Word Count: 1824
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , is usually known as a very talented actress. However, in this final scene of Hamlet she just doesn't hit the mark. She makes Gertrude seem to be a simple, even half-witted woman. The way she sits on her throne, oblivious to what is going on, is bothering. With the recent death of Laertes" father, Gertrude should have at least have had some ... from his own period" (Denby 768). Zeffirelli corrects this mistake, but it doesn't help the scene become any better. Hamlet and Laertes are now in battle with two huge, heavy medieval swords. They struggle with them, and they fall all over the se...

• Word Count: 1208
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School