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Gertrude and Claudius Book Summary and Study Guide

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Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Gertrude and Claudius


The book is a prequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet. It tells the story of Gertrude's affair with Claudius (her brother-in-law) and Claudius' murder of King Hamlet (Gertrude's husband). It ends where Shakespeare's play begins.
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The review of this Book prepared by Tom Adair



Chapter Analysis of Gertrude and Claudius

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of story    -   1600-1899 Romance/Romance Problems    -   Yes Kind of romance:    -   seduction (yum!) Political/social activism    -   Yes Plotlet:    -   affirmative action Family, struggle with    -   Yes Struggle with:    -   Father (or standin)    -   Son    -   Brother    -   Husband Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Unmarried Love Triangle?    -   Yes

Main Character

Gender    -   Female Profession/status:    -   Prince/Nobleman/King Age:    -   40's-50's

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   8 () Europe    -   Yes European country:    -   Scandinavia Ice Caps/Sea?    -   Yes Where?    -   Ocean Forest?    -   Yes Misc setting    -   fancy mansion

Writing Style

Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   vague references only    -   descript of kissing    -   touching of anatomy    -   licking    -   actual description of hetero sex    -   Boob talk!    -   Vagia talk!    -   Weiner talk! Weird Victorian/Shakespearean English?    -   Yes Amount of dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

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John Updike Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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