Gertrude Act 1 + 2

Gertrude Act 1

In this scene Gertrude is taking to Hamlet and telling him that he needs to stop mourning over his father and put on a smile for Denmark. Claudius and Gertrude are married. 

CLAUDIUS

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

HAMLET

Not so, my lord. I am too much i' the sun.

GERTRUDE

Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off,

And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.

Do not forever with thy vailèd lids

Seek for thy noble father in the dust.

Thou know’st ’tis common. All that lives must die,

Passing through nature to eternity.

HAMLET

Ay, madam, it is common.

GERTRUDE

      If it be,

Why seems it so particular with thee?

(1.2.67-77)

Gertrude is talking to Hamlet about him having to stop mourn over his fathers death, even though it only happened a little while ago. This was her husband too and she is acting like she doesn't care. She is basically turing her back on her husband and going to her husbands brother, which is now her new husband. 

Gertrude Act 2

In this scene Claudius and Gertrude are asking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to look after Hamlet because of his recent "transformation". (2.2.5)

CLAUDIUS

Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Moreover that we much did long to see you,

The need we have to use you did provoke

Our hasty sending. Something have you heard

Of Hamlet’s “transformation”—so call it

Since nor th' exterior nor the inward man

Resembles that it was. What it should be,

More than his father’s death, that thus hath put him

So much from th' understanding of himself,

I cannot dream of. I entreat you both

That, being of so young days brought up with him

And since so neighbored to his youth and 'havior,

That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court

Some little time so by your companies

To draw him on to pleasures and to gather,

So much as from occasion you may glean,

Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus

That, opened, lies within our remedy.

GERTRUDE

Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of you.

And sure I am two men there are not living

To whom he more adheres. If it will please you

To show us so much gentry and good will

As to expend your time with us awhile

For the supply and profit of our hope,

Your visitation shall receive such thanks

As fits a king’s remembrance.

(2.2.1-26)

When Claudius is asking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do this in a way that isn't like somebody who care it is expected, but when Gertrude is asking them it seems as though she is asking them just as a queen and not as his mother. It doesn't seem like there is an mother concern when she asks.