In William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, Queen Gertrude accidentally drinks the poisoned wine intended for her son, Hamlet.
The Tragic Accident During the Duel
During the climactic duel between Hamlet and Laertes, a treacherous plot unfolds, orchestrated by King Claudius. Claudius prepares a cup of poisoned wine, intending for Hamlet to drink from it as a celebratory refreshment or as a means to ensure his death if the poisoned rapier fails.
The Unintended Victim
As the duel progresses, Queen Gertrude, unaware of the deadly contents of the cup, raises it to toast Hamlet's success. Despite Claudius's attempts to stop her, she drinks the wine, sealing her own fate.
The sequence of events leading to Gertrude's death is a pivotal moment in the play, highlighting the insidious nature of Claudius's villainy:
- The Trap: King Claudius, fearing Hamlet and seeking to eliminate him, conspires with Laertes. They plan for Laertes to use a poisoned rapier, and Claudius prepares a backup—a poisoned cup of wine, just in case Hamlet survives the initial thrusts or needs a celebratory drink.
- Gertrude's Action: During the intense fencing match, Gertrude, in a gesture of maternal pride and support for Hamlet, takes the poisoned cup and drinks from it.
- The Realization: Shortly after, she succumbs to the poison, realizing her husband's treachery in her dying moments and exclaiming, "O my dear Hamlet, I am poisoned!" This accusation directly implicates Claudius, revealing his villainy to Hamlet and the court.
Key Players in the Poisoning Incident
The following table summarizes the roles of the main characters involved in this tragic event:
| Character | Role in the Poisoning Plot | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Claudius | The orchestrator of the plot; he prepared the poisoned wine with the intent to kill Hamlet. | Gertrude accuses him as she dies, leading directly to Hamlet's wrath. He is subsequently killed by Hamlet with the poisoned rapier and forced to drink the remaining poisoned wine, receiving a just end for his deceit and murderous actions. |
| Gertrude | The Queen of Denmark; she unknowingly drinks the poisoned wine intended for Hamlet, mistaking it for a celebratory drink. | She dies from the poison, but not before realizing Claudius's treachery and revealing it to Hamlet, providing the final impetus for Hamlet's revenge. |
| Hamlet | The intended victim of the poisoned wine, as well as the poisoned rapier used by Laertes. | While he does not drink the wine, the plot against him, combined with his mother's death, fuels his final act of vengeance against Claudius, ultimately leading to his own death from Laertes's poisoned blade. |
| Laertes | Though not directly involved with the poisoned wine, he is Claudius's accomplice in the broader plot to kill Hamlet using a poisoned rapier. | He is wounded by his own poisoned rapier, confesses Claudius's plot, and dies, having also drunk from the poisoned cup's contents at Hamlet's insistence. |
This scene, found in Act 5, Scene 2 of the play, is a turning point that propels the final, tragic climax, resulting in the deaths of Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and ultimately, Hamlet himself. For more detailed information on Hamlet and its pivotal scenes, you can explore resources like the Folger Shakespeare Library's Hamlet overview.
