Gertrude Act 1 Sc 2

Elijah Langston

Act 1: Gertrude (Queen)

In this act, we are introduced to Gertrude, the queen of Denmark (formerly the wife to Hamlet's father), as she has be reappointed queen by marrying Claudius. At this point of the scene, Claudius is giving his final farewells to the former King, and accepting his role as the new King of Denmark. As he is talking, he directs his attention to Hamlet... 

KING

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

HAMLET

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

QUEEN

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.

QUEEN

      If it be,

Why seems it so particular with thee?

HAMLET

“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.”

'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,

Nor customary suits of solemn black,

Nor windy suspiration of forced breath..."

This short scene very much points out the lack of sympathy the Queen has for her son mourning her own husbands death. She points out the fact that Hamlet cannot spend his whole life mourning for his dad which is true, but she seems to forget that it has only been a matter of days since his death. More importantly, we do not see her express grief for her husbands death and she doesn't attempt console Hamlet. Even when Hamlet agrees with her about death being a natural and common occurrence, she instead inquires why the issue is so particular with him as if it is not relevant or important enough of a matter to care about. After this scene we immediately question the true role of the queen; is she an honorable woman or is she simply married to keep her wealth and power?