O'er whom his very madness, like some ore / Among a mineral of metals base, / Shows itself pure. He weeps for what is done.
Act IV, Scene 1 · Gertrude
Context
Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet has dragged away Polonius's body, and argues that Hamlet's grief over the killing proves there is still goodness within his madness.
Analysis
Gertrude's mineral metaphor splits Hamlet into two substances—base madness surrounding a core of pure ore (his moral feeling)—allowing her to salvage his character even as she reports a murder. The word 'pure' does striking work here: it reframes his tears not as regret or fear but as proof of an intact conscience, a reading that requires ignoring what Hamlet actually said and did in her chamber. This is less description than hopeful interpretation, revealing how desperately Gertrude needs to believe her son remains redeemable.
Essay Tip
Use this to argue that Gertrude functions as an unreliable interpreter of Hamlet—her metaphors consistently find innocence in his actions (here, 'pure' feeling in murder), showing how maternal loyalty distorts her reporting and makes her an unreliable witness to Claudius.