"Do not forever with thy vailed lids seek for thy father in the dust."
Act I, Scene 2, Line 70
What does this show of Gertrude's feelings towards Hamlet?"
100
"He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found the head and source of all your son's distemper."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 54
What is the importance of Claudius saying "my dear", instead of simply "Gertrude?"
100
"As for your part Ophelia, I do wish that your good beauties be the happy cause of Hamlet's wildness."
Act 3, Scene I, Line 38
Is Gertrude genuinely happy that Hamlet is mad, or is she trying to 'butter up' Ophelia? Which, if either, and why?
100
"More matter with less art."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 95
What does this line tell of Gertrude's personality? What about her feelings towards Polonius?
100
"Good gentlemen, he hath talked much of you, and sure I am, two men there is not living to whom he more adheres."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 19 - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
What is Gertrude's motive for speaking so kindly of the men?
200
"Let not thy mother lose her prayers Hamlet. I pray thee stay with us, go not to Wittenberg.
"Act I, Scene 2, Line 118
Why does Gertrude want to keep Hamlet there in Denmark, and not back to school?
200
"Do you think 'tis this?"
"It may be very like."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 149
What is Gertrude's motive in simply agreeing with Claudius?
200
"Come hither my dear Hamlet, sit by me."
"No good mother, here's metal more attractive."
Act 3, Scene 2, Line 96
How might this response from Hamlet change Gertrude's feelings towards her son? What about towards Ophelia?
200
"Pray you be round with him."
"I'll warrant you, fear me not."
Act 3, Scene 4, Line 5
Why is Gertrude so sure of herself when she previously was not confident in her decisions?
200
"Did he receive you well?"
"Did you assay him to any pastime?"
Act 3, Scene 1, Line 10 - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Why is Gertrude so anxious to hear of how Hamlet took to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
300
"O most pernicious woman!
O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!"
Act I, Scene 5, Line 105
What does this say of Hamlet's feelings towards his mother?
300
"Sweet Gertrude, leave us too."
"I shall obey you."
Act 3, Scene I, Line 28
What does Gertrude's response to Claudius' command tell of her personality and motives?
300
"I will not speak with her."
Act 4, Scene 5, Line 1
Why does Gertrude refuse to speak with Ophelia? What has made her feel this way?
300
"You know sometimes he walks four hours together here in the lobby."
"So he does indeed."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 158
Why does Gertrude simply agree to what Polonius, or any man for that matter, is saying?
300
"The lady doth protest too much methinks."
Act 3, Scene 2, Line 211 - Player Queen
Is Gertrude angry at the player for portraying such a queen, or is she mad at Hamlet for making the queen play in such a way, and she thinks it is supposed to resemble her?
400
"I doubt it is no other but the main: His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 56
Does Gertrude feel bad about how quickly she married Claudius, or is she just making an excuse for her son? Or something different?
400
"Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended."
Act 3, Scene 4, Line 9
What are Gertrude's motives for sticking up for her husband?
400
"Let her come in...How now Ophelia?...Alas sweet lady, what imports this song?"
Act 4, Scene 5, Line 16
Why the sudden change in Gertrude's feelings for Ophelia? Does she really mean to be nice to her, or is she just putting on a face?
400
FREE!!!
+ 100 points
400
"Thanks Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 34 - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Who is Gertrude copying in this line? What does that tell of her personality?
Act 3, Scene 4, Line 21
How do Gertrude's feelings for Hamlet change in this moment? What about later on when he asks her to not tell that he is pretending to be mad?
500
Is Gertrude lying to Claudius to protect Hamlet, or does she really think he is mad?
Act 4, Scene 1, Line 6
"What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?"
"Mad as the sea and the wind, when both contend which is the mightier."
500
"One woe doth tread upon another's heel, so fast they follow. Your sister's drowned, Laertes."
Act 4, Scene 7, Line 163
Does Gertrude show a general lack of emotion for his sister's death, or is she getting straight to the point to spare the anticipation for Laertes?
500
"But who - ah woe! - had seen the mobled queen -
"That's good - 'mobled queen' is good."
Act 2, Scene 2, Line 460
Does Polonius simply like the idea of a "veiled or muffled queen" in the play, or is this showing his true feelings for her in real life?
500
"Where is my father?"
"Dead."
"But not by him."
Act 4, Scene 5, Line 128
Why does Gertrude keep defending her husband? Does she not believe Hamlet, or does she have other motives?