Hamlet confronts his mother Gertrude in her room about remarrying his uncle Claudius after the death of Hamlet's father. When Gertrude cries out in fear, Hamlet kills Polonius, who was hiding behind a curtain. Hamlet then shows Gertrude two portraits, one of his late father and one of Claudius, commenting on his father's superiority. A ghost of Hamlet's father appears, though only Hamlet can see it, making Gertrude think he is mad.

1. Hamlet, IV, 3
THE QUEEN'S CLOSET
When Hamlet comes into Gertrude's room, Polonius hides behind a curtain in order to hear
their conversation. She says that Hamlet has offended his father, meaning Claudius. He replies
that she has offended his father, meaning the dead King Hamlet.
Hamlet wants to make Gertrude aware of her sin. Fearing for her life, she cries out and Polonius
too calls for help. Suspecting that Claudius might be hidden behind the curtain, Hamlet
kills Polonius.
Hamlet forces Gertrude to look at two pictures of the dead king and of the current one, then
comments on his father's superiority tu his uncle Claudius. These images represent a mirror
because she has to find the truth inside of herself.
Hamlet wants Gertrude to realise that, choosing Claudius as her husband, she has broken the
rules of common sense and honour. Actually the real responsible is Claudius, Gertrude is
both responsible and victim of the situation.
Suddenly, the ghost of his father appears. Hamlet speaks to him but Gertrude is unable to see
it, so she believes him to be mad. Desperately, Hamlet asks her “Do you have eyes?”.

2. 1948
2009

3. • Set in modern days
• Hamlet kills Polonius with a
gun--> He doesn’t seem to care
• He shows his mother two
newspapers with pictures of his
father and uncle
• Gertrude rebels and tries to
shut Hamlet up
• Hamlet cowers from the
phantom of his father
• The phantom is closer, interacts
with Gertrue, who isn’t aware
of his presence
• Set in an old castle
• Hamlet kills Polonius with a
dagger--> He is regretful
• He shows his mother a locker
with the images of his father
and uncle
• Gertrude is ‘’passive’’ in her
reaction
• Hamlet stretches towards the
phantom of his father
• The phantom is never shown,
Hamlet acts like a madman
who points at the air
1948
nearer to the
shakespearian script
2009
 more captivating