Of the two characters, Gertrude would seem to be the one
we can sympathize with. Once the seed of Claudius being a murderer is planted, it is
hard not to see him in that light.
The question becomes
just how much does Gertrude know or suspect? Is she innocent? Does she marry
Claudius out of love? Does she marry him because she is weak and doesn't know what
else to do? Shakespeare doesn't answer these question but leaves it up to the actress
playing the part. As for reading the play, there is nothing to indicate that she is
involved.
As for Claudius, as I stated, once the seed of
guilt is planted by the ghost , it is hard not to see him as guilty. His public face is
one of a concerned step father but like Hamlet, we see through the act. It is hard to
have any sympathy for him,
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