Part 52: In Ophelia's death, was Gertrude complicit, paralyzed by guilt and self-pity?
Because Gertrude was paralyzed by guilt and self-pity after the death of Polonius and her talk with her son, might we consider her complicit in Ophelia’s death? I am grateful to Kushi Shah for suggesting Gertrude’s possible complicity [1]. If Gertrude witnessed Hamlet acting in a misogynistic way toward Ophelia, then for Gertrude to do nothing might make her more complicit [2]. It is easy to blame the men as complicit in Ophelia’s death [3]. But Gertrude? She begins scene 4.5 ashamed, not wanting to meet with a distraught Ophelia, saying, “So full of artless jealousy is guilt, / It spills itself in fearing to be spilt.” (4.5.24-25). She may feel guilty for how her marriage to Claudius caused Hamlet’s madness and led to his killing of Ophelia’s father. Gertrude overcomes her reluctance to greet Ophelia, but may be too shocked by Ophelia’s commanding presence, with Ophelia acting like Prince Hamlet’s intended wife – and perhaps rightful queen. Whether in shock at the spectacle, or para...