How do you judge Queen Gertrude by the end of Act 1? Is she guilty of anything?

Whether Gertrude is guilty or complicit in the death of her husband is not conclusive, because the text does not say explicitly. But there are a few indicators that suggest that she is not completely innocent. First, when the ghost speaks, it says that incest and adultery have taken place.

This may suggest to us that Gertrude is guilty of adultery, incest and/or murder, and so sinful that she is not permitted to see her husband's ghost.

overnment is strong when they have the ability to persuade those they govern to believe government has enough power to force them or should be forcing them to do government’s will.

when enough of the citizenry do not believe government can force them or should force them to do its bidding, government has lost or will lose its strength and power to coerce.

when enough of the citizenry do believe government can force or should force them to do its bidding, they become passive at the least or actively pro-government and repeat government’s own rhetoric to pass on what they have been persuaded by government’s propaganda.

a true majority isn’t always needed to govern or to stop government. many times all that is needed is a strong minority. if a determined 30% of the population rises up against government in a concerted effort to bring it down, this size minority usually will succeed as long as those actively opposing the minority are less in force than the minority. so if 41% of the population sits at home watching tv rooting for one side or the other, they don’t matter. it’s the active parties who make a difference.