The tragedy of Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare in 1602, is one of his best known works. This play centers around the death of Gertrude’s first husband, the King of Denmark, and her remarriage to her brother-in-law, Claudius. Gertrude is a complex character, and as the play progresses, it becomes clear that she has been changed by her experiences since the death of the king.

One of the key plot events that Shakespeare included to help show that Gertrude has changed is the scene when Ophelia confronts Gertrude about her remarriage to Claudius. Ophelia is appalled that Gertrude could love and marry Claudius so soon after the death of her beloved husband. Gertrude, in turn, reveals the amount of anguish she has gone through since her husband’s death. She also expresses how much she cares for Claudius and how much he has helped her cope with the situation.

By including this scene, Shakespeare is able to demonstrate the transformation that Gertrude has gone through. He uses her dialogue to show that she is now in a place of accepting her circumstances, even if they may not be ideal. Her relationship with Claudius is one of acceptance and love, rather than the disdain she may have once felt.

Shakespeare also uses this scene to explore the various themes of the play, including love, betrayal, and power. He demonstrates how love can still exist, even in the face of great tragedy, and how power can be used to manipulate and control. He also explores the idea of betrayal, and how it can lead to great strength when confronted head-on.

The inclusion of this scene in the tragedy of Hamlet helps to illustrate the transformation that Gertrude has gone through. She is no longer the same woman she was at the beginning of the play, but instead is now a more complex character, capable of love and strength in the face of great adversity.