Hamlet's Women

• Hamlet and Ophelia
  • Laertes and Polonius on Hamlet's attentions to Ophelia (1.3.5-44; 89-135)
  • Hamlet's reported visit to Ophelia (2.1.77-100)
  • His letter (and poem) written earlier to Ophelia and read by Polonius (2.2.109-124)
  • His confrontation with Ophelia, while Polonius, Claudius and Gertrude eavesdrop (3.1.88-150)
    The textual question of Hamlet's entry and the extent of his knowledge of the overhearing
  • His remarks to her during the play-within-the-play (3.2.110-257)
  • His contest with Laertes in the graveyard scene (5.1.246-284)
  • The three direct statements Hamlet makes:
    • [to Laertes] "I loved Ophelia" (5.1.269)
    • [to Ophelia] "I did love you once" (3.1.115) and
    • "I loved you not" (3.1.119)
  • Ophelia's madness: pathos or tragedy?
• Hamlet and Gertrude
  • The "closet" scene (3.4.)
  • How old is Gertrude?
  • What of Hamlet's disgust at his mother's sexuality?
  • Does Gertrude shelter Hamlet afterwards?

    King: What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?
    Queen: Mad as the sea and wind when both contend
    Which is the mightier.
            (4.1.6-8)

• What do we really know of Gertrude?
  • Is she involved in her husband's death?
  • Does she continue to support Claudius after the closet scene?