Question

Atters flowersj.

I hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife. I thought thy bride bed to have decked, sweet maid,
And not have strewed thy grave.

Why is Gertrude's line at Ophelia's funeral out of character for her?

A: She has stated previously that she did not approve of Ophelia marrying Hamlet.
B: She is responsible for Ophelia's death
C: She does not believe that Ophelia should have been granted a proper funeral.
D:She has shown little affection and care toward Ophelia previously.

Answer 1

Gertrude's lines at Ophelia's funeral are out of character since she had shown little prior affection to Ophelia. Historical and feminist interpretations of Ophelia's character have evolved, reflecting issues of gender, mental health, and rebellion against social norms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asks why Gertrude's line at Ophelia's funeral is out of character for her. The correct answer is D: She has shown little affection and care toward Ophelia previously. Gertrude's expression of what she had hoped for Ophelia, to have been Hamlet's wife and to have adorned Ophelia's marriage bed instead of her grave, are paradoxical given her prior indifference. Critiques of Hamlet have suggested that Gertrude's character is generally more absorbed in self-preservation and her relationship with Claudius than in the welfare of Ophelia. It's notable that Ophelia's character has inspired various interpretations, from a symbol of feminine madness and sexuality to a figure of rebellion or victimhood, throughout theatrical and artistic history. Ophelia has thus evolved beyond Shakespeare's text into a symbol of larger discussions about gender roles and mental health.