"With which she followed my poor father's body, like Niobe, .
all tears-why she, (even she) (O God, a beast that wants discourse .
of reason would have mourned longer!), married with my uncle, My father's brother, but no more like my father than Hercules. Within a .
month, Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears had left the flushing .
in her galled eyes she married. O, most wicked speed, to post with .
such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor it cannot come to .
good. But break, my heart for I must hold my tongue."" (I, ii, 152-164).
Hamlet is angry and disgusted with his mother, as well as jealous of the attention Claudius receives and desperately desires her love. However, because women act as tools, Claudius uses her to devastate Hamlet. As a woman in the play she allows Claudius to instill his views in her, and uses that to his benefit. Hamlet states, "you are the queen, your husband's brother's wife; and -would it were not so!- you are my mother"(III.iv.18-19). Hamlet berates his mother with sharp edged comments showing his lack of respect and the disapproval of her marriage. Hamlet's fury is displayed as he generalizes that not only is his mother weak, but women in general are helpless and feeble. .
Another instance where Gertrude is manipulated is when she is forced into confrontation with Hamlet in her chamber. Hamlet enters her chamber blind to the fact that Polonius is secretly present, gathering details for Claudius. Polonius says,.
"He will come straight. Look you lay home to him. Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with and that your grace hath screened and stood between much heat and him. I'll silence me even here. Pray you, be round (with him."" (III, iv, 1-7).
In this quote Polonius is convincing Gertrude to try and uncover the genuine motive of Hamlet's erratic behaviour. Gertrude agrees, unaware of Claudius and Polonius' actual intentions. When Hamlet enters he tries to urge his mother to repent choosing Claudius over his own father.