Final answer:
The phrase "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" is from Hamlet and refers to Queen Gertrude suggesting that 'the lady' protests excessively, indicating insincerity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" originates from Shakespeare's play Hamlet and is spoken by Queen Gertrude in Act III, Scene II. In this context, "the lady" refers to a specific lady mentioned earlier in the text, namely the character of Queen Gertrude herself as she watches the play within the play. The phrase implies that a person is insisting so strenuously that it arouses suspicion about their sincerity. The correct option from the choices provided is (1) A specific lady mentioned earlier in the text.