Question

Read the dialogue from Act III of Hamlet.

Hamlet: Now, mother, what’s the matter?

Gertrude: Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.

Hamlet: Mother, you have my father much offended.

The structure of these lines shows that

Queen Gertrude is caught between her new husband and her son.
Hamlet is observing conflict between his mother and father.
Queen Gertrude feels Hamlet should disobey King Claudius.
Hamlet is torn between his love for Claudius and his own father.

Answer 1

Queen Gertrude is caught between her new husband and her son.

Explanation: Each accuses the other of offending “father” (Gertrude defending her new husband, Hamlet defending his dead father), showing her position between Claudius and Hamlet.