Hamlet Second Body

As opposed to Hamlet's cherished relationship with his mother in Gibson's version, Tennant's BBC 2010 interpretation establishes Gertrude and Claudius sharing a more intimate connection. Furthermore, the scene begins with Claudius and Gertrude on the opposite side of the room from Hamlet, thus connoting the detachment and impurity of their mother-son relationship. Claudius introduces the topic of Hamlet's distress with a smirk and sarcastic tone meanwhile Hamlet refrains from making eye contact with neither his uncle nor mother. Hamlet's animosity and aggravation only surmounts Claudius' flawed attempt at sincerity. Once Gertrude approaches Hamlet to discuss his intended departure for Wittenberg, she suddenly adjusts her stern, rigid disposition into a seductive attitude solely to accomplish her goal. While cajoling him with her flirtatious regard, Gertrude grabs Hamlet by the collar of his dress jacket and scratches his chin for a complete sensual effect. After Hamlet complies with his mother's request, she instantaneously moves away from him to revert her full attention back to Claudius. While intertwining their hands, Gertrude approaches her husband's face and gently brushes her nose against his cheek. Doran's direction emphasizes the lack of a relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude; moreover, her pleading is disingenuous and her affection evidently resides with Claudius.