In the play The Tragedy of Hamlet written by William Shakespeare, Gertrude is portrayed to be a loving, but ignorant woman. Throughout the play Shakespeare gives hints that Gertrude is oblivious to Claudius' crime. However, in Act 3 Scene 4, Hamlet is speaking to his mother about her crimes of adultery and murder, in which Gertrude responds, "Thou turn'st my eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct." By this quote the reader can argue that Gertrude was fully aware of the murder of her husband, the king of Denmark.
             "But howsoever thou pursuest this act, taint not thy mind nor let they soul contrive against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven, and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge to prick and sting her." In Act 1 Scene 5, the ghost of King Hamlet told Hamlet to leave his mother to the guilt of his own conscience. In this quote the reader sees that the ghost knows Gertrude is guilty or at least knows that Claudius is guilty of the murder. "Those thorns that in her bosom lodge to prick and sting her" is the guilt the ghost knows that she must feel for having part in her husbands murder.
             Gertrude also demonstrates her knowledge of the plot by marrying King Hamlets brother within two months of his death. While families are normally still in mourning of the loss of a family member, as Hamlet is, the Queen has already replaced the King by marrying his own brother. Not only that, but Gertrude married the murderer of her husband, which shows that there must have been some connection, or plan perhaps, in the marriage. There is no denying the facts of Gertrude and Claudius both have a connection to the "foul and most unnatural murder" of King Hamlet.
             The ghost of King Hamlet also gives hints that Claudius seduced the Queen into the murderous plot. In Act One Scene 5, the ghost tells Hamlet of the murderous pl
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