How would you best describe the relationship between Hamlet and his mother?

"Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems”.

Gertrude has asked why Hamlet's grief for his dead father SEEMS so strong in him. He answers bitterly that he is incapable of pretending. He begins the drama by demonstrating that he must be honest in his grief.

Ironically he must be dishonest throughout the rest of the play as he executes the orders of the ghost.

There is a noticable absence of a warm nurturing chat between mother and son as he seems to unravel into insantiy. Meanwhile Polonius, though a fraud, has a reasonbly warm relationship with his children.

It can be said that Hamlet seems preoccupied with his mother's sexuality. He rages as much about the incest as he does the murder, perhaps even moreso. The ghost of his father tells him to leave his mother to God and pursue Claudius but he just can't help himself. He would prefer to torture Gertrude over her... warm bloodedness.

...seriously, what a great play.