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Journal article
Adaptations and Impressions: Belleforest's Queen Gertrude and Shakepeare's
Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia litteraria romanica, Vol.19(1), pp.143-153
07/20/2024
DOI: 10.18778/1505-9065.19.10
Abstract
This study traces the influence of François de Belleforest on William Shakespeare through the character of Gertrude (named « Geruthe » in Belleforest) in Hamlet. Basing his work on the original Danish legend of Saxo Grammaticus (Historia Danica), Belleforest in his Histoires tragiques gives voice to the character who is both mother of the protagonist (called « Amleth » in Belleforest) and queen of Denmark. In turn, Shakespeare elaborates and deepens the portrait of Gertrude. Inspired largely by Belleforest’s example, the Elizabethan playwright emphasizes the psychological rupture between Hamlet and his mother while underscoring the evolution of their relationship from one of conflict to reconciliation over the course of the tragedy. Belleforest’s representation of Geruthe also includes her ambiguous role in the numerous plots against Hamlet. These conspiracies are appropriated by Shakespeare to heighten the tension of the drama and to render Gertrude a tragic character herself.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Adaptations and Impressions: Belleforest's Queen Gertrude and Shakepeare's
- Creators
- Russell Ganim - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia litteraria romanica, Vol.19(1), pp.143-153
- Publisher
- Lodz Univ Press
- DOI
- 10.18778/1505-9065.19.10
- ISSN
- 1505-9065
- eISSN
- 2449-8831
- Number of pages
- 11
- Language
- French
- Date published
- 07/20/2024
- Academic Unit
- French and Italian; International Programs
- Record Identifier
- 9984699053502771
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