Relationships of Ophelia and Hamlet and Gertrude and Claudius A close look at the relationships between Ophelia and Hamlet and Gertrude and Claudius, will illustrate that betrayal, selfishness and lack of love they caused their destruction .There are many examples of betrayal in the play Hamlet. In these examples, betrayal leads to the destruction of relationships. Claudius is the king of Denmark and will do anything to remain so. His wife Gertrude loves her son Hamlet and Claudius knows it. To remain king he must please Getrude, so he pretends to love Hamlet in front of Gertrude but behind her back he plots to kill Hamlet. “I will make him accomplish an undertaking, now mature in my plan, under which he will have no choice but to fall. And no wind of blame will blow upon his death"1. Gertrude's trust is betrayed by Claudius at that moment because Gertrude believes that Claudius loves Hamlet, when in reality she despises him and wishes him dead. Claudius is not the only character who cheats in the play Hamlet. Hamlet makes Ophelia believe that he loves her for a long time, until one day he tells her things that break her heart. Because Hamlet suspects that someone is listening to his conversation with Ophelia, he acts like a madman and says cruel things to Ophelia. “Virtue cannot inoculate our old stock, but we will enjoy it. I didn't love you." (III, i, 118-120) All the promises he had made to her before that day are now broken; he betrayed his trust. Hamlet and Claudius betrayed someone they should have loved. Because of this betrayal, their relationship ended in a sad tragedy. While trust is an important part of a relationship, selfishness is an even more important part of a relationship. Particularly in the case of Hamlet. Claudius and Hamlet are both very selfish men. Claudius wants to be king of Denmark and doesn't care about anything else, not even Gertrude. Claudius killed Gertrude's husband because he wanted to marry Gertrude and have the throne for himself. "Anon a man enters, takes off his crown, kisses it and pours poison into the KING's ears, and goes out." (III, ii, 126). Claudio does not love Gertrude but will do anything to make her believe that he loves her, just to become king.