Hamlet

Act 3. Scene 4

How is Gertrude potrayed as both submissive and obedient and yet powerful and independent

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Hamlet begins his often-misogynistic rant, beginning, “I have heard of your paintings well enough." At first mother attempts to stand up to her son by questioning his veracity, "What have I done, that thou darest wag thy tongue. In noise so rude..." This just sets Hamlet off even more. After his sexually laced verbal, bordering on physical, attack on Gertrude, she begins to submit to his accusations, 

O Hamlet, speak no more!
Thou turn’st mine eyes into my very soul,
And there I see such black and grainèd spots
As will not leave their tinct.