First Impressions of Hamlet's Family

My first impression of King Claudius is that he is rather shallow. Though his brother had just passed away, within two months he marries his brothers widow, Queen Gertrude. The very first time the readers meet Claudius, he is giving a speech about how he misses his brother, but decides not to mourn but to celebrate something happy instead. It is interesting that he is so dissmissive of his late brother's end, but not of his own new beginning. I also find him quite inconsiderate. He is dumbfounded as to why Hamlet, his nephew, would still be wearing black mourning clothes. Claudius tells Hamlet that all sons must lose their fathers and that it is a natural process of life. As truthful as that is, Claudius' blunt statment is very rude because he does not put into account what it actually feels like for Hamlet. I am curious to know how Claudius felt when his father died, not that I root for his saddness, I guess I am just curious. He also does not want Hamlet to return to school and insists that he stay with his mother during this time. It is strange that Claudius feels sorrow and grief for Gertrudes pain, but when it comes to Hamlet's he is dissmissive.

Queen Gertrude is another odd character to me. Though she cares for her son, Hamlet, and wants him close to her during this mourning period, she still goes off to marry her deceased husbands brother. I am still unsure on what her motives are. In a way I think it is her method of coping with the stress and saddness that comes with the death of her first husband. I dont think it is healthy to fill the void left behind to feel complete again but it is reasonable. I think Gertrude is a genuine person. Hamlet recalls how loving she was with his father which makes it that more confusing as to why she remarried so quickly, unless we assume that she was trying to fill the void. Though she is genuine, I do believe there is some sort of saddness that has overcome her but she covers it up so well that no one can tell.

Prince Hamlet might be the most level headed person in the play so far. He struggles so much with the loss of his father as any son would. He continually wears black clothes and cries for days and gets told by his new step father that it is unmanly and weak to be mourning this way and for so long. It does not fix the situation Hamlet is already in nor does it improve it. He also openily admits that his mother is insane for getting married so soon after the passing of his father. I think Hamlet may also be insecure becuase when Claudius tells him to stay home from school, he listens even though he does not respect Claudius. Hamlet could agree to Claudius' request because he wants to be there for his mother, but it still struck me as odd.