Gertrude — Hamlet Character Profile

About Gertrude

Queen of Denmark and Hamlet's mother, torn between maternal devotion and political survival after marrying her late husband's brother.

Character Facts

Played by

Penny Downie

Appears in

Hamlet (2009)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (2)

• Gertrude — Family Mother — Hamlet (David Tennant)

  Hamlet's mother, whose hasty marriage fuels his existential doubt.

• Gertrude — Family Husband — Claudius / Ghost (Patrick Stewart)

  Claudius's wife, whose loyalty is divided between love and survival.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Hamlet

More characters from Hamlet

• Hamlet (David Tennant)
• Claudius / Ghost (Patrick Stewart)
• Polonius (Oliver Ford Davies)
• Player King (John Woodvine)
• Ophelia (Mariah Gale)
• Osric / Player Queen (Ryan Gage)
• Laertes (Edward Bennett)
• Reynaldo / Dumbshow Poisoner (David Ajala)
• Dumbshow King (Samuel Dutton)
• Voltemand (Roderick Smith)
• Dumbshow Queen / Priest (Jim Hooper)
• Skull (André Tchaikowsky)