Queen+Gertrude


 * Queen Gertrude's Introduction: By Liam and Evan!**

The Queen also seems to be influenced strongly by Claudius' desires, because shortly after he says to Hamlet: "your intent / In going back to Wittenberg, / It is most retrograde to our desire" (1.2.115-117) the Queen also says to Hamlet: "I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg" (1.2.123). Although repeating this sentiment on its own is not proof that the Queen is influenced by Claudius, the idea of the King having much more power is also shown through the fact that she barely speaks in this scene (9 lines total), while the King dominates the conversation. While it is evident the Queen is happy in this scene, it is more than likely that she is in denial. Her hasty marriage to Claudius may indicate a need to take comfort in love and normalcy. To her it is the only way to pretend her life is alright. This is the same reason she insists Hamlet stays in Denmark. In addition, the Queen and Hamlet only talk to each other in this scene, which also suggests that they still have some level of trust and a lasting relationship between them, as despite Hamlet's anger and confusion over her seemingly forgetting his father, he still prefers to address Gertrude than the new king.
 * Conclusion:** As opposed to Hamlet, the Queen is trying to move on from her husband’s death. She consoles Hamlet that “all that lives must die,” (1.2.74) and beseeches that he “not forever…\Seek for thy noble father in the dust.” (1.2.72-73) Her concern for Hamlet is apparent, and it is also clear that they still have somewhat of a bond through the fact that she and Hamlet only talk to each other in this scene.

Entrance: She enters with Claudius, the Council, Polonius, Laertes, Hamlet, Voltemand, and Cornelius.
 * The Queen (Gertrude):**
 * Pre-Entrance:** Nobody talks about the Queen before her entrance
 * Context:** The Queen has come in with the Claudius, and they seem happily in love despite the relatively recent death of Hamlet Sr., Gertrude’s former husband.
 * First Words**: “Good Hamlet, cast thy knighted color off” (1.2.70). Gertrude seems to want Hamlet to be happy, oblivious that her marriage to Claudius is a major factor of Hamlet’s depression.
 * Dialogue:** She speaks 70 lines into the scene, and she speaks much less than the King, showing that she is less powerful. She only speaks 3 times in the entire scene and even then on a matter more personal than official: Hamlet. She asks Hamlet to stay in Denmark, despite knowing that he is unhappy there. In addition, the Queen only talks to Hamlet (and vice-versa), showing that they still have a relationship that Claudius is not included in.
 * Purpose/Effect:** Queen’s happiness and obvious love shows success of Claudius, and contributes to Hamlet’s depression. In addition, relationship between Hamlet and his mother shows that the two of them as well as Hamlet Sr. must have been a fairly tight-knit family. Also, she urges Hamlet to stay in Denmark “…stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg” (1.2.123), and basically does what Claudius wants her to: right before she asks Hamlet to stay, Claudius says: “going back to Wittenberg, It is most retrograde to our desire” (1.2.116-117)
 * Motifs:** Treatment of women, Ambiguous family relationships, incest, resentment from Hamlet, Oedipal complex.