# overt doth speak loudly in accusation, the an allusion to a statement in the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. In this tragedy, Hamlet falls into melancholia after the death of his father, the king. The king's brother, Claudius, assumes the throne and marries Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, within two months of the king's death. His father's ghost appears to Hamlet, accusing Claudius of murdering him and demanding revenge. Unable to bring himself to action and beset by doubts as to the truth of the ghost's words, Hamlet persuades some traveling players to re-enact the death of his father. The play includes a scene in which the actress depicting the queen vehemently protests the idea of remarrying after the king's death. During this scene, Hamlet asks his mother how she likes the play. The queen's reply: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." See also Shakespeare in this glossary.