In Hamlet, almost nothing is as it appears to be, and most of the plot progression in the play relies on that simple idea. Hamlet does not kill Claudius when he is presented with the perfect opportunity because he believes that Claudius is in prayer (although he is actually as unrepentant as ever). What Hamlet thinks is just a simple swordfight turns out to be a climactic murder plot. Everyone believes that Claudius is king due to the unfortunate death of his brother, even though he is actually the murderer. The list goes on. Characters in the play put too much faith in appearances, as shown by Hamlet and Gertrude's dialogue:.
Queen: To whom do you speak this?.
Hamlet: Do you see nothing there?.
Queen: Nothing at all, yet all that is I see. 135.
Hamlet: Nor did you nothing hear?.
Queen: No, Nothing but ourselves.
This quick exchange passes by quite inconspicuously and can seem like it simply reveals a plot detail: Gertrude cannot see her husband. This allows her to still doubt the sanity of her son, and it also proves that King Hamlet still does care for her. His business is with Claudius, and he chooses to leave her alone. (That is assuming that the Ghost can choose who can see him and who can't.) The fact that she can't see "the truth- isn't all that surprising because as I already mentioned, the whole plot relies on the deception and false realities. However, what does make this moment unique is the Queen's assertiveness. .
Throughout the play before this scene, the Queen maintains a level of weakness and submission, most like what was expected of women at the time period, royalty or not. Her morality is questioned by Hamlet repeatedly, who sees something very wrong her marrying her brother-in-law so soon after her husband's death. "O most pernicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling damned villain!- (I.v.105-106) Hamlet cries in his soliloquy after his conversation with the ghost, and that is the image that the audience carries with them throughout.
