Emprunts et empreintes : la reine Gertrude de Belleforest et celle de Shakespeare

Russell Ganim

doi:10.18778/1505-9065.19.10

Authors

Russell Ganim University of Iowa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2459-1194

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1505-9065.19.10

Keywords:

Belleforest, Shakespeare, Histoires tragiques, Hamlet, Historia Danica, Gertrude, tragedy, psychological rupture, conflict, reconciliation, conspiracy, adaptation

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.

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Author Biography

Russell Ganim, University of Iowa

Russell Ganim est professeur de français et Vice-Recteur et Doyen de Programmes Internationaux à l’Université de l’Iowa. Ses recherches se concentrent sur la poésie religieuse du seizième et du dix-septième siècles, ainsi que sur le rapport entre le texte et l’image durant la première modernité. Son travail actuel porte sur la représentation de l’époque pré-révolutionnaire en France dans les dessins animés japonais.

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