] Me either. Seems to me that Hamlet has plenty enough reasons to be full of angst without manufacturing ones. Though he clearly has major issues with Gertrude, I don't think there was a problem before she married Claudius. He is obsessed with the idea of Gertrude and Claudius having sex, but I don't think this is because he wants to marry his mommy.

The whole Oedipal cast many insist on throwing in this is one of my personal pet peeves. *shudder* Honestly!

] But perhaps most important was the speed, the haste with which the marriage took place. He's got to be confused and angry at that. Does this mean that she never loved his father? That her Niobe tears were all an act? If she pretended a loyalty and love for her husband, can her love of himself be a sham as well?

Oooh - well said, and a good point. Obviously his mother's "defection" has hit him hard - apparently to the point that he doubts the ability of ANY woman to love faithfully. He may well have had Mommy up on quite the pedastal (as sons, I think, are wont to do) before - particularly if she doted on King Hamlet half so much as she currently does Claudius. I'm sure he viewed her affection THEN as a virtue in her - naturally he'd be devastated to see how quickly she can forget and turn it on for another. One crack, and her whole character shatters - she can truly love no one, including himself. Doubt of a parent's love is a serious blow.

] I agree he's changed, and the confrontation with Gertrude may have been a part of that but certainly not all, or even the main. He now knows beyond a doubt that Claudius is guilty. He also knows that Claudius is out to kill him as well and it is now a "him or me" situation. That will motivate anyone. ;-)

Again, I agree.
First of all, since his talk with Gertrude and his last meeting with the ghost happened together, it's impossible to say which motivated him more. Then - as you say, his discovery of the message Claudius was sending to England would certainly clear away any doubts.

I do, however, think a load is somewhat lifted from his mind where his mother is concerned. I think it's given him a kind of peace he didn't have before the meeting. He has the comfort of knowing that at least she didn't know of the murder. He also has the satisfaction of knowing that now she DOES - and perhaps feels that accordingly he will not completely lose her respect and regard when he kills Claudius? *snort* Then again, not that he'd be concerned about her mourning C too long, eh? At any rate, their relationship has been somewhat restored - he has lost his father and despises his uncle, sees no one anywhere he can trust. It had to be a relief to confide in Mom and hear reassurance of her love, doubtful as her love may seem to him. She's still Mom.