Hamlet and his uncle Claudius have a relationship that is centered on the basis of concealed enmity in each of them. Hamlet knows his uncle plays a huge part in his father's death and tries to prove it while Claudius is wary of Hamlet knowing his secret.
Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, and Claudius's new wife seem to be in the middle between the two men in her life. She supports her new husband's attempts at trying to build a relationship with Hamlet and tries to ask Hamlet to give him a chance. At other times, she also requests her husband to spare Hamlet and not let him be punished. But most times, she is a silent spectator and target for both the men and their critiques of each other, with Hamlet even attacking her character for her shallow behavior towards what he feels is an injustice to his dead father.
Explanation:
William Shakespeare's Hamlet revolves around the death of the former king and the revenge planned by his son. The play also delves into the theme of family, insanity, revenge, and loyalty.
The conflict between the young prince Hamlet and his father-replacement, his uncle Claudius is that of concealed enmity. Hamlet knows his uncle/ stepfather killed his father and took his wife too. So, he began planning ways to get proof and revenge his father's murder. Claudius, on the other hand, acts like he had accepted Hamlet as his son but he did that for appearance. Deep inside, he had always wanted the kingship for himself and even took his sister-in-law as his own wife. When he said he is still in mourning but gets married as soon as possible and started celebrating his own wedding amidst the mourning period, he shows that he cares more for himself and his own happiness.
And throughout the whole play, Hamlet will try to get proof of his uncle's act, showcasing a play where the king is murdered and also acts as if he is insane just to mislead the others in his own revenge ploy.
Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, on the other hand, seemed to be stuck between his son and his new husband. Hamlet even criticizes her for marrying so soon despite her former husband's mourning period not yet gone. She even reprimands him for always mourning his dead father despite the festivity of the occasion. She also advised Hamlet to follow Claudius's advice of "We pray you, throw to earth This unprevailing woe, and think of us As of a father." She also got attacked verbally numerous times throughout the play, with Hamlet often critiquing her for her shallow morality.
