What is the summary of the poem tiger tiger revisited? answer choices. I am poisoned" (289). This means that she is lifting the cup in a toast to him. Feminist critic Valerie Traub explores the sexuality in Hamlet stating the following "in this vile and seductive garden, sexually threatening women poison vulnerable and unwitting men" [3] which I believe to be sarcasm as the male characters in Hamlet are seen to be far more dominant . Claudius could have easily stopped Gertrude from drinking the poison, but by not doing so he shows that he is a very selfish man and he doesn't care about anyone else's well being. What are they. CLAUDIUS. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. He learns from Laertes that both he and Laertes will die from the poisoned sword. Claudius then married the dead King Hamlet's You will need to be logged in to be able to post a reply. A director of the play can only have those ideas played out with facial expressions on the queen's face, and perhaps the pace and timing of the delivery of the lines. He, having murdered her husband, would not also be guilty of her son's death. challenges him to a duel. "In Act 5, scene 2 of Hamlet, does Gertrude know that the wine is poisoned and drink it to save her son's life?" That pretty much does it. What logo is a black R with a star on a gold background? The . Please excuse me. Why did Claudius poison King Hamlet? Gertrude states that Ophelia fell into the water when she was trying to hang her "fantastic garlands" on a tree and one of the branches broke. The Queen collapses and dies, telling Hamlet as she does that she was poisoned. During the play itself, Gertrude spends much of her time consoling and worrying about the troubled young Hamlet. The King has proposed drinking on Hamlet's touches in the fencing bout. Latest answer posted August 07, 2015 at 5:22:29 PM. In the play Hamlet, there are many occurences of manipulation. devises a plan that he believes will prove if what the ghost has 2022-07-02. ctum vitae odio. After he kills his brother for the crown, he lies to Gertrude and marries her. When he learns that Hamlet is out to kill him, he plans for Hamlets death. She dies with cries of 'the drink! The return of Laertes and Hamlet. In Act 3 Scene 4, Hamlet accuses Gertrude of lust for marrying Claudius only few months after King Hamlet's death - he believes that Gertrude married Claudius for he own desire . Latest answer posted November 19, 2020 at 1:33:52 PM. First of all, why does Gertrude take up a drink? Laertes, poisoned by his own sword, declares, "I am justly kill'd with my own treachery" (V. This implies that she is just about ready to take a drink herself and she makes a sharp, potentially brash reply when she responds, "I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me." I believe that Gertrude tries to rationalize Hamlet's insanity and the downfall of Denmark as a blemish on Ophelia's own character. Accessed 7 Nov. 2022. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. He learns from Laertes that both he and Laertes will die from the poisoned sword. Claudius, the younger son, to King Hamlet Sr. (Prince Hamlet's dad) apparently had nothing. If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. Gertrude shows as another prime example of a female that is submissive to the men in her life. This is an exchange between Hamlet and Claudius after the queen has fallen. He's also still very upset about the wedding between his uncle and mother. Why did Gertrude drink the poison? He acknowledges the toast with saying, "Good madam!" Still, Laertes wounds Hamlet first but winds up dying first. Which is why I find it odd that he should incriminate Claudius as he lay dying. Claudius manipulates Gertrude, his wife, by not being completely (or even minimally) honest with her. Why did queen gertrude drink the poison? By marrying Gertrude, he would secure his claim to the crown and prevent Hamlet from becoming . She wilfully disobeys Claudius by drinking the poisoned wine. In killing Ophelia, Gertrude is trying to restore a sense of order to the world, which ultimately fails and leads to Gertrude's own death at the end of the play. 2022 . She knowingly drinks from the poisoned cup and then offers it to Hamlet so that Claudius's plan could not come to fruitionhe, who has killed her husband, would not also be responsible for the death of her son. Hamlet acts mad in order to manipulate Ophelia into believing he is gone crazy. Gertrude drinks the wine purposefully from the poisoned cup and then offers it to Hamlet in order for Claudius's scheme or intention to fail. For the king to have the cups out and to toast to his son would be standard form for the day, and his putting the "union" -- a very large pearl which he claims 4 kings before him wore in the crown -- in the cup of wine would have been a typical way to pass along the additional reward. Claudius convinces Laertes to put poison on the tip of his sword to cut Hamlet in the duel. Why did Gertrude drink the poison? Meanwhile, she bears the brunt of much misogyny, a strong prejudice against women,. Manipulative individuals use their power to deceive others for social status or power. Latest answer posted January 18, 2021 at 3:34:02 PM. This shows that Claudius takes advantage of Hamlet's return alone as an opportunity for Laertes to kill him. Vad beror finnar p olika stllen? Answers 1 Add Yours Answered by jill d #170087 9 years ago 5/22/2013 2:34 PM Gertrude took the cup to drink in Hamlet's honor before Claudius could stop her. Actors have come to perform at Elsinore Castle for King Claudius The Give the actual quote. If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like What two things does Claudius admit to being worried about, when Gertrude reveals Hamlet has struck Polonius dead?, What punishment does the King decide he will bring upon Hamlet?, To what purpose do you infer Hamlet is hiding the location of the body from Guildenstern and Rosencrantz? 2011, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/act-5-scene-2-does-gertrude-know-that-wine-252378. The King has forgiven him and offered him safe passage. They both die. Sure. 1. The King has made a wager on Hamlet's behalf in a contest between Laertes and Hamlet. I can't say anymore . Claudius convinces Laertes to put poison on the tip of his sword to cut Hamlet in the duel. in "Hamlet". OPTIONS: Hide cue speeches Show full speeches (no cues) Show truncated speeches (no cues) Hamlet. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. These actions aren't all that suspicious. After witnessing Hamlet kill someone, Gertrude hurries to find Claudius. In an aside, Claudius murmurs, "It is the poison'd cup: it is too late" (V. . Hamlet forces the King to drink the poison and the King dies. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. late. [drinks] GERTRUDE. If you chose to perform with the 'suicide' interpretation, then I believe you would need to review character development in preceeding scenes for either of two aspects - that Gertrud's ongoing guilt drives her to seek an end via death OR that she quickly relises, from that one statement of 'do not drink' from Claudius that the fight is rigged and Hamlet will die, and so takes his poison instead, as a sacrifice to keep him alive. Could she have found it odd or suspicious that Claudius warned her not to drink for the cup, so she did so that Hamlet wouldn't? Gertrude drinks the poison first and dies first. Gertrude and genre Though her character can be seen as passive for the first part of the play, it is in Act 5, Scene 2 that she fully realises her dramatic potential. There are a couple reasons (depending on interpretation) why she would drink. Does Gertrude know that Claudius killed Hamlet's father? Queen Gertrude dies because she accidently drinks out of the poisoned cup that was intended for Hamlet to drink from. But Ophelia's brother In fact, he might even be more disturbed by Gertrude's sexuality than the news of his . In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. a toast to her son. You just studied 121 terms! The King has confessed to the murder of King Hamlet, and has renounced the throne. Queen Gertrude in Hamlet while watching a play within the play. To Laertes, it should've seemed as if Claudius was in a way helping him avenge the murder of his father. From an interpretation point of view both work. What's the meaning of this quote from Hamlet: "We're oft to blame and this is just too much proved that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the Devil himself"? The problem of the Prince: ( "My uncle-father and aunt-mother") Gertrude is both puzzled and saddened by Hamlet's reaction. No matter how the line is delivered however, the next implied action of the play is that she offers the cup to Hamlet who tells her, "I dare not drink yet, madam; by-and-by." In the play Hamlet, why does Gertrude drink the wine with poison Access to over 100 million course-specific study resources, 24/7 help from Expert Tutors on 140+ subjects, Full access to over 1 million Textbook Solutions. plans to watch Claudius' reaction to the altered portion of the 305-306 "How does the queen?" I am poisoned' (5.2. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. There is no specific textual evidence to definitively say yes or no, butit makes for an interesting discussion of the subtext of the play and what a director can do with looks, actions, timing, etc. Gertrude is killed by accidentally ingesting poison meant for Hamlet. Nam risus ante, dapibus a molestie consequat, u, Explore over 16 million step-by-step answers from our library, ec aliquet. This line could be delivered Gertrude is manipulated by Claudius because she doesn't know he murdered her husband. [She drinks] . The next line is Claudius's; he says, "Gertrude do not drink." In the play Hamlet why does Gertrude drink the poison? said is true. Claudius dies. Why didn't Hamlet kill Claudius when he had the chance at the end of act 3, scene 3? free to pursue other possibilities. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Nam lacinia pulvinar tortor nec facilisis. The King has forgiven him and offered him safe passage. I think in a duel with Ophelia's brother. fear of King Claudius' power, and his desire to shame his mother, Nam lacinia pulvinar tortor, View answer & additonal benefits from the subscription, Explore recently answered questions from the same subject, Explore documents and answered questions from similar courses. Does Gertrude believe Hamlet is mad? No question. wife and Prince Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude. Is Claudius married to his sister? poison. play, and discern from that response if Claudius is guilty. Claudius, inadvertently, creates a chain of events that not only robs her of her son but also a surrogate daughter. It is kind of like a man putting the diamond engagement ring in the glass of champagne at the proposal. He also apparently hurries her into the marriage, before she has had time to grieve or make sense of what is going on. the beginning. I have to echo Ron in relationship to interpreting the last scene and whether this is suicide or accidental murder of Gertrude. eNotes Editorial, 4 Apr. So he got Ophelia's brother to When Gertrude inadvertently drinks the poison and dies, Hamlet is at last able to bring himself to kill Claudius, and the king is felled by his own cowardly. I will, my lord. the drink! She says that he is as mad as the sea during a violent storm; she also tells Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius. This line could be delivered sarcastically, implying that she is enjoying her willful defiance of the Claudius's command, thus showing Hamlet that she is doing what he wants and trying to stay away fromor stand up to Claudius. Other Oedipal interpretations will similarly indicate that she knows what she's doing and why.However, there is little in what she says that suggests she knows the cup is poisoned. 2022-07-02. Whereas most of the other important men in Hamlet are preoccupied with ideas of justice, revenge, and moral balance, Claudius is bent upon maintaining his own power. Source (s) Hamlet Why did Claudius marry Gertrude? Claudius is Gertrude's brother-in-law in the play. The Queen, proud of her son, is involved in the match because Hamlet scores two hits in a row and drinks to his success (she "carouses" to his fortune). The King and Queen are expecting a child. The drink, the drink! Does Baylor Scott and White random drug test? Before he dies, Laertes begs for Hamlet's forgiveness, which he grants. However, the strength and complexities of Gertrude's personality do emerge as the play progresses and she is forced to confront the realities of her situation. What does Claudius say when he dies? The King has confessed to the murder of King Hamlet, and has renounced the throne. The final Act, in which she is clearly aware that the wine is poisoned, sees her sacrifice herself to save Hamlet. Why did Gertrude drink the poison? She loved wine and was always looking for a new way to add flavor to her meals. First of all, he kills his own brother just so he could be king, which makes him very self centered and selfish. Gertrude is killed by accidentally ingesting poison meant for Hamlet. 2022-07-02. Thank you very much for your comment on my question and answer. King [Aside.] Why CASE tools are not normally able to control Software crises. What does Gertrude say is STILL wrong with Hamlet? accusing the King. He tells Laertes the same thing as he attempts to soothe the young man's anger after his father's death. The exact reason why Gertrude drinks from the poison cup is not clear based on the text. Hamlet's uncle tries to stop her, but it's too Hamlet turns down the initial offer of a drink, and after the second touch by Hamlet it looks like Hamlet is going to win the fencing match. From . I think the fact that Claudius didn't stop his Gertrude, well, his wife; from drinking the poisoned wine makes him such a worse person. Discuss the significance of the following quote from Hamlet, act 5. She drinks a cup of poison intended for Hamlet by the King, against the King's wishes, and dies, shouting in agony as she falls: "No, no, the drink,O my dear HamletThe drink, the drink! It was also surprising to me though because he had married Gertrude and usually when you marry someone you have some kind of love for them, but when he let her . dies, Hamlet's uncle is revealed to be the murderer. taken to wife." He acknowledges the toast with saying, "Good madam!" Gertrude, do not drink. 2) Claudius deceives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about Hamlet's voyage to England, telling them that the lunatic Hamlet must leave Denmark in the interest of public safety. What is judge James Edwards' party affiliation? How and why exactly did Queen Gertrude die? put poison on his sword. Laertes then wounds Hamlet with the poisoned rapier. To ensure Hamlet's death, Claudius also has a poisoned cup of wine should Hamlet win the duel.. As Claudius offer the wine with the pearl in it to Hamlet, who denies it, Gertrude sees it as an opportunity to test if the wine is poisoned, and save Hamlet's life in the only way she can. What is the meaning behind this quote from Hamlet "Goodnight Sweet Prince"? Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off, And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. Hur ka salivproduktionen? Hamlet, realizing the swords are poisoned, stabs Claudius, then forces him to drink from the poisoned cup of wine. If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. Hamlet wounds Laertes with his own poisoned blade, and Laertes then falls as well. Claudius abused his power so much that all of the main characters dies. Was kandi burruss ever on the masked singer. Is it an indication of Horatio's death; is it a suicide? Gertrude's love and obedience toward Claudius are shown throughout the play when she relentlessly stands by, supports, and obeys all of his requests. Then, he marries his brother's wife, which is just flat out wrong. His Ophelia's brother The exact reason why Gertrude drinks from the poison cup is not clear based on the text. Does Gertrude really love Claudius? If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. the play, in order to "catch the conscience of the King." The simpler explanation is that she does not realize it until too late. Hamlet is the new King of Denmark. not know if the ghost is truly his father and telling the truth, he The descent: ( "When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions") Ophelia's madness and drowning. Claudius's love for Gertrude may be sincere, but it also seems likely that he married her as a strategic move, to help him win the throne away from Hamlet after the death of the king. When Hamlet's mother The poisoner then woos the Queen with gifts. Hamlet, that Prince Hamlet's uncle, King Claudius, murdered his own Her death spurs Hamlet, finally, to act. What is Gertrude's response to the queen in the play? In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. There's no evidence in the text to suggest that he did. dies, but forgives Hamlet in his last moments. scene of the play. He tells Hamlet that Hamlet has been poisoned and will soon diethere is "no medicine in the world" which can save him. This implies that she is just about ready to take a drink herself and she makes a sharp, potentially brash reply when she responds, "I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me." Claudius physically places the poison in the cup by placing a pearl inside, saying, "Hamlet, this pearl is thine" (V.ii.284). Why does the king say Gertrude do not drink? (Act 3, Scene 2, line 230), Claudius, the king is Hamlet's major antagonist. As a director/performer my instinct is that the 'accidental murder' interpretation works without any additional support from other scenes. I am poison'd." If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. 2. Claudius convinces Laertes to put poison on the tip of his sword to cut Hamlet in the duel. Laertes remarks under his breath that to wound Hamlet with the poisoned sword is almost against his conscience. No, Hamlet did not sleep with his mother. What is the mood and tone for the tale of tonyo the brave? I personally don't think he did. She's the most in touch character with Ophelia and when she talks about her she does so motherly. The Claudius drinks the same potion as the Gertrude does last and dies instantaneously. Hamlet HAMLET I dare not drink yet, madam; by . The king asks her not to drink it, she says she will. He had no crown, he had to accept that young Prince Hamlet was ahead o. Gertrude delivers the news that Ophelia is mad and also that she's died. And just un case that didn't kill him, But they fight again, and Laertes scores a hit against Hamlet, drawing blood. Why does Gertrude drink the poison? In a subsequent scene, the dead King's spirit reveals to Hamlet that Claudius killed him by pouring poison into his ear while he slept in an orchard. Was there inbreeding in the british royal family? Pellentesque dapibus efficitur laoreet. The dirty plan backfired on me. Claudius is ultimately too crafty for his own good. The closing scene in Hamlet provides a restoration of order and and fit ending for the plot. Claudius's speech is compared to poison being poured in the ear-the method he used to murder Hamlet's father. In the final scene, Gertrude notices Hamlet is tired during the fight with Laertes, and offers to wipe his brow. Meanwhile, the swords are switched in battle. One day, she found a new way to add poison to her wine by adding a small amount of arsenic to it. She sent Hamlet his letters back and this is why Hamlet has gone crazy since he is madly in love with her. If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet. Gertrude notices this and takes the cup and her napkin (handkerchief) to Hamlet. Queen I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me. He notes in an aside that it is the cup with poison, and when dying she recognizes what has happened. Firstly, William Shakespeare in his play demonstrates the use of manipulation though the main character Hamlet. Queen Gertrude, is the reason for Hamlet's indirect method of alteration tells the story of a Queen whose husband is murdered by In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the general scholarly consensus is no, the Queen does not know that Claudius killed Hamlet's father until Hamlet tells her. She dies from drinking poisoned wine that King Claudius had prepared for. Gertrude, do not drink. Does Gertrude believe Hamlet is mad? No, no, the drink, the drinkO my dear Hamlet /The drink, the drink! What is Gertrude doing Act 4 Scene 1? Gertrude. Who were the siblings in Fred Claus' Siblings Anonymous group besides Roger Clinton Stephen Baldwin and Frank Stallone? Ophelia's brother chalenged Hamlet. But Gertrude and more. 2022-07-02. The king tells her not to drink, but she does so anyway. But then Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, tried to drink the poison in He hits Laertes again, and Gertrude rises to drink from the cup. Instead, Gertrude's love for Claudius creates a thrilling twist to the closet scene in which he is revealed as a murderer. Just as Claudius poured poison into the dead King's ear, he pours another type of poison lies and deceit into the ears of everyone else. Hamlet is the new King of Denmark. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. When Claudius offers Hamlet the poisoned goblet of wine, Hamlet refuses, and Gertrude picks up the cup instead. That he is still mourning his father's death. What does the ending of Hamlet mean? Donec aliquet. When did Ariana grande lose her virginity? Gertrude dies, prompting Laertes to point out that this is all Claudius's fault. This line is from Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. My viewing of the Tennant film is the later interpretation - but this is just a personal assessment. Hamlet asks them to use his altered version of Sure. KING CLAUDIUS [Aside] It is the poison'd cup: it is too late. Toasting Hamlet, she drinks the poison, ensuring her eventual death. Why do you get faster connection at work than home? Her death spurs Hamlet, finally, to act. Does Bell mean war? In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. and Queen Gertrude. Early on in the play, we learn that Gertrude's "o'erhasty" and incestuous marriage to Claudius has shaken up Hamlet's world, leaving him with a sense that the world is contaminated, like an "unweeded garden" that's "rank and gross in nature" (1.2.139; 140). Hamlet tries to kill Claudius three times. As Gertrude dies, Laertes, himself dying, discloses his and Claudius's plot against . This takes place in the last In the play Hamlet, Hamlet dies by getting stabbed in a sword Scuffling, they manage to exchange swords, and Hamlet wounds Laertes with Laertes' own blade. KING CLAUDIUS Gertrude, do not drink. 2022-07-02. He wants her to think on her original husband, Hamlet's father, and compare him to the piece of trash she has now ventured into the taboo by marrying. Shakespeare never wrote explicit stage directions, so the reader has to read the intent of the lines with great care. Sure. If she had known that the cup was poisoned, I don't think she would have risked offering it to him if there was any chance he would have taken it from her. In reality, she is dying because she has just drank poison, but Claudius lies, telling Hamlet that she has fainted at the sight of blood. Did Gertrude drink the poison on purpose? In act 1, scene 3 of Hamlet, what is Polonius's advice to Laertes? Senaste mnen. Can someone put you on tv without your consent? Could she have noticed that Claudius drank from the cup and thenput the union in? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. 2022 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Framing Ophelia: Representation and the Pictorial Tradition, Grinning Death's-Head: Hamlet and the Vision of the Grotesque, Mourning and Misogyny: Hamlet, The Revenger's Tragedy, and the Final Progress of Elizabeth I, 1600-1607, Nobler in the Mind: The Dialect in Hamlet, The 'Heart of My Mystery': Hamlet and Secrets, The First Quarto of Hamlet: Reforming Widow Gertred. I pray you, pardon me. In Hamlet, what does the quote"If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not now, yet it will come" mean? The King has made a wager on Hamlet's behalf in a contest between Laertes and Hamlet. As Laertes dies, he calls out that "the king's to blame.". Hamlet's father also put poison in Hamlet's drink. Can beard oil clog pores? Since Hamlet does 2022-07-02. Polonius manipulates Reynaldo by making him speak rumors to get information about Laertes' reputation there because he does not trust him. Hamlet's uncle saw this as Get an answer for 'In Act 5, scene 2 of Hamlet, does Gertrude know that the wine is poisoned and drink it to save her son's life?' and find homework help for other Hamlet questions at eNotes 2022-07-02. Hamlet speaks to the apparition, but Gertrude is unable to see it and believes him to be mad. Though she Finally, Hamlet seizes the opportunity and stabs Claudius with the poisoned blade. answer choices. Laertes, the brother of Ophelia (Hamlet's love interest), challenges Hamlet to a duel in order to avenge Polonius' death. The King and Queen are expecting a child. However, this hasn't stopped successive generations of literary scholars from using Freud's concept of the Oedipus complex to put forward the notion of an incestuous relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude. As she dies Gertrude expresses her love for her son and implicates Claudius, hoping that Hamlet will avenge her death as well as her husband's. She must . Why did Gertrude drink the poison? Claudius is at first suspicious and then fearful. Hamlet, also dying, commands Horatio to tell this story, so that everyone can understand what happened. He accuses her of not being able to see the great sin right in front of her nose. an oppurtunity to get rid of Hamlet. Now to the supposition that perhaps she knew. died too, because of a poisoned sword. The sexuality of female characters in Hamlet is a favoured topic amongst critics, especially feminist ones. Not so, my lord. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save her son from certain death. Once she starts to feel the effects of the poison her dying words are a warning directly toHamletthat the cup was poisoned. fight with the sword having poison in. Latest answer posted December 18, 2020 at 11:36:35 AM. "She swoons to see them bleed." Gertrude is therefore enigmatic, and because of this her character struggles to define itself against the Hamlets' explicit opening opinions. I will drink, my lord. At this point, Hamlet has been working hard and looks thirsty and sweaty. In fact though, it is his conscience that makes Claudius such a complex villain. And so, here I lie, never to rise again. For obvious reasons, he does not tell her that he murdered his brother, her first husband, and Prince Hamlet's father. So, Laertes provides the poison itself, but Claudius has the idea to also put it in a drink, and physically puts it in the drink, leaving it to be drunk by Gertrude. In Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet, Gertrude drinks knowingly, presumably to save . Prince Hamlet has been told by the ghost of his father, King If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. QUEEN GERTRUDE I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me. to convey her knowledge or lack thereof. Gertrude, don't drink. Why did Gertrude drink the poison? The sequence of the lines really matters here: first she says "The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet." Laertes selects the poisoned and sharpened rapier, and the two go at it. If she drinks on purpose, then she's the self-sacrificing mother Hamlet has always wanted her to be. There are a couple reasons (depending on interpretation) why she would drink. Literally: Poison is used in Claudius and Laertes' plot to kill Hamlet Laertes' sword has poison on it, and Hamlet's drink is also poisoned in case Laertes can't kill him "I'll have prepar'd him A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping, If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck, Our purpose may hold there" (IV.vii.159-162) Speeches (Lines) for Gertrude. Could she have been suspicious of Claudius's suggestion of theduel and his glowing praise for Hamlet's fencing abilities?