Those who have lost a loved one to suicide ask “why,” become angry, and call suicide selfish. But are those suffering more selfish than the one who commits suicide? Can the act of suicide actually be brave and liberating rather than selfish and cowardly? In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Gertrude’s suicide shows a profund embrace of death and a liberating and brave outcome from the acceptance of death.
Gertrude’s whispers show the process of a troubled individual reaching the acceptance that death is the only way to escape a tortuous life. In Act 4 Scene 5, Gertrude unwillingly meets with Opelia who has become mad following the death of her father and Hamlet’s betrayal. Prior to Ophelia entering, Gertrude begins to mutter to herself. “To my sick soul as sin’s true nature is, / Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss. / So full of artless jealousy is guilt, It spills itself in fearing to be spilt” (4.5.17-20) she whispers. Gertrude is pained to recognize that her soul is stained with sins and Gertrude can no longer suppress the feelings of great guilt. Gertrude had managed to separate herself from feelings of guilt, but now they are spilling over her imaginary enclosure making her “sick.” This sickness refers to the madness of someone contemplating suicide; the langauge Gertrude uses is clearly reminiscent of someone who is about to comit suicide and the lines even resemble a suicide note. Gertrude knows she cannot hide or run from her life, she is in an endless cycle, tortured by her sins and the only way she can escape is through death. Gertrude’s later actions clearly demonstrate her intent to commit suicide.
Gertrude’s reaction to Ophelia’s death makes it clear that she has decided to kill herself. In Act 4 Scene 7, Gertrude announces that Ophelia has died. She tells everyone listening that Ophelia has slipped into the water and drowned, “Drown’d, drown’d” (4.7.183) Gertrude repeats. But Ophelia’s death causes much speculation; many think that Opehlia commited suicide. The repetition of drowned makes it appear that Gertrude is hiding something. In this case Gertrude is hiding that Ophelia has killed herself. Gertrude has already accepted suicide and is determined to complete her plan. Announcing that Ophelia has committed suicide could cause others to watch Ophelia more carefully, thrwarting her plan. By hiding the fact that Ophelia commited suicide, Gertrude is symbolically and literaly hiding the fact that she too is going to attempt to kill herself.
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When Gertrudes kills herself, she displays a full acceptance of death and the result of her suicide shows bravery. In act 5 Scene 2 Hamlet agrees to duel Laretes. Claudius decides that if Hamlet is winning, he will offer Hamlet a glass of poisonous wine that will kill Hamlet within minutes. Hamlet begins his duel and soon Gertrude reaches over to drink the wine. Claudius calls out, “Gertrude, do not drink” (5.2.274), but Gertrude replies, “I will, my lord. I pray you, pardon me” (5.2.275). Gertrude disregards the King’s plea and drinks the wine. Her lack of hesitation shows an ultimate acceptance of death. Gertrude was prepared for her death and knew it was time for her death. By taking her own life, she is saving the life of another person. Gertrude sacrifices her own life for her son. And, for once, Gertrude decides her own fate. She is no longer stuck feeling guilty and is no longer being used as a pawn or being thrown around by Hamlet or Claudius. Gertrude takes her life into her own hands by killing herself.
Our current society views suicide as cowardly, but this has not always been the case. In Japan, suicide was viewed as an honorable act and a way of restoring honor. Suicide is also undeniably the closest to accepting death one can reach. Ophelia reaches this acceptance long before her suicide and when her time comes, she formulates her death to be an honorable act.
