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Gertrude's Innocence In Hamlet

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Gertrude's Innocence In Hamlet
Through certain symbols, Shakespeare expresses Gertrude’s overall innocence. For instance, Ophelia gives Gertrude a daisy, the symbol of innocence MORE. In addition, the time it takes for each character to die reflects their innocence or guilt. Claudius dies almost immediately, but it takes 56 lines for Hamlet to die. Shakespeare uses the times it takes for each character to die in order to arouse sympathy for them. Gertrude appears to be fine for several minutes after she drinks from the poisoned cup and lives long after she collapses to warn Hamlet that the “the drink . . . was poisoned” (V, ii, 293-294). Claudius and Polonius die immediately, but Gertrude dies nineteen lines after she ingests poison. Through the symbolism of the daisy

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