Hamlet, Part 3: Figurative Language and Allusions

Question 1

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.Rosencrantz: To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.Hamlet: Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you: and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.Guildenstern: What should we say, my lord?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It establishes that Hamlet suffers hardships.

Question 2

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak, Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause, And can say nothing; no, not for a king, Upon whose property and most dear life A damn’d defeat was made. Am I a coward? Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across? Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face? Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i’ the throat, As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak, Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,

Question 3

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.Polonius: Well be with you, gentlemen!Hamlet: Hark you, Guildenstern; and you too; at each ear a hearer: that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling-clouts.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The metaphor portrays Polonius as foolish and weak.

Question 4

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.Admit no messengers, receive no tokens. Which done, she took the fruits of my advice; And he, repulsed,—a short tale to make,— Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;

Question 5

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.He tells me, my sweet queen, that he hath found The head and source of all your son’s distemper.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

an apostrophe.

Question 6

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs, The instant burst of clamour that she made— Unless things mortal move them not at all— Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven, And passion in the gods.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

She is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband.

Question 7

Which statement best explains why Hamlet alludes to Pyrrhus throughout Act II, Scene ii of Hamlet?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The allusion highlights the idea of avenging a father’s murder.

Question 8

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.I have of late,—but wherefore I know not,—lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o’erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The metaphors emphasize Hamlet’s state of depression.

Question 9

What is the effect of the figurative language used in this excerpt? Choose three answers.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It shows Hamlet’s indecision.; It shows Hamlet’s confusion.; It shows Hamlet’s idleness.

Question 10

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs, The instant burst of clamour that she made— Unless things mortal move them not at all— Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven, And passion in the gods.Hecuba is a figure in Greek mythology who was married to King Priam. In the excerpt, she is shown grieving for her dead husband.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

that Hecuba properly mourned the death of her beloved husband

Hamlet, Part 3: Figurative Language and Allusions Answers

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