Final answer:
The question regarding why Gerda wants to procure poison cannot be answered definitively without further context about her character and story as she is not mentioned in the provided excerpts. In literature, motives for procuring poison often include revenge, love, or power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Why does Gerda want to procure poison?' does not have a direct reference in the provided texts, suggesting that there might be some confusion.
None of the excerpts given describe a character named Gerda with a motive for obtaining poison. Instead, these texts cover various stories and historical accounts where poison plays a central role, such as the deceitful practices observed among Roman matronae, as reported by Livy, or the anecdote of Medea's poisoned cloak.
In literature, characters historically seek out poison for motives grounded in revenge, love, or power, as exemplified by the references to potions in love spells or toxic concoctions for nefarious purposes.
In considering the use of poison within these contexts, one could infer reasons such as self-defense, protection of others, or even darker motivations linked to jealousy and rage. However, to answer the question about Gerda specifically, additional information regarding her story and motivations would be necessary.