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If Gertrude was the sole ruler....

So, Hamlet obviously didn't end as the majority of the characters were hoping, i.e. they mostly died. Young Fortinbras certainly did well, but he's just about the only one. All of this resulted due to Claudius' grab for the throne. Even with him killing Hamlet Sr., that didn't guarantee him the throne. So, I think that it would be interesting to think about if Gertrude had taken the throne.
    I personally think that it would be absolutely amazing, an it'd at least be better than Claudius. Firstly, if Gertrude had the throne, she'd have forces behind her. She could put all of the men in their places, and Hamlet likely would've felt secure in revealing Claudius' actions to her. She could have prevented many deaths, and Denmark likely would've benefited greatly from a female monarch, especially given the place of women in the Middle Ages. I think that Gertrude would be a phenomenal ruler, and Hamlet undoubtedly would've gone much differently had she assumed the throne.
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