Question

hamlet, part 6: applying literary criticism
of your precedent lord; a vice of kings;
a cut - purse of the empire and the rule,
that from a shelf the precious diadem stole,
and put it in his pocket! (115)
gertrude: no more!
hamlet: a king of shreds and patches,—
enter ghost.
save me, and hover oer me with your wings,
you heavenly guards! what would your gracious figure? (120)
gertrude: alas! hes mad!
hamlet: do you not come your tardy son to chide,
that, lapsd in time and passion, lets go by
the important acting of your dread command?
o! say. (125)
ghost: do not forget: this visitation
is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.
but, look! amazement on thy mother sits;
o! step between her and her fighting soul;
conceit in weakest bodies strongest works: (130)
speak to her, hamlet.
?
why does queen gertrude say that hamlet is mad?
she thinks she has done
nothing wrong and does
not understand why
hamlet is so upset.
she cannot see the ghost,
so she thinks that hamlet
is talking to someone who
is not there.
she thinks that the ghost is
lying and cannot
understand why hamlet
trusts what it says.
she does not believe
hamlets accusations
because she thinks that
claudius is a good man.

Explanation:

In the scene, only Hamlet can see the Ghost (as indicated by "Enter Ghost" and Hamlet's interaction with it), while Gertrude cannot perceive the Ghost. So when Hamlet addresses the Ghost, Gertrude, seeing no one there, concludes Hamlet is mad because he appears to be talking to an invisible entity. Option A is incorrect as the focus is on the Ghost's visibility, not her self - perception of wrongdoing. Option C is wrong as there's no indication she thinks the Ghost is lying. Option D is incorrect as the scene's context about the Ghost's visibility is the key, not her view of Claudius's character.

Answer:

B. She cannot see the ghost, so she thinks that Hamlet is talking to someone who is not there.