Emprunts et empreintes : la reine Gertrude de Belleforest et celle de Shakespeare
Adaptations and Impressions: Belleforest’s Queen Gertrude and Shakepeare’s

Summary/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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