Question 1839 • Crowley Credit Recovery Algebra II B
Read the excerpt from Act IV of Hamlet. Claudius: He made confession of you,And gave you such a masterly report For art and exercise in your defence, And for your rapier most especially, That he cried out, ’twould be a sight indeed If one could match you; the scrimers of their nation,He swore, had neither motion, guard, nor eye, If you oppos’d them. Sir, this report of his Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy That he could nothing do but wish and beg Your sudden coming o’er, to play with him.
Answer
A
When Claudius uses flattery to convince Laertes to kill Hamlet, Shakespeare emphasizes the theme “Pride leads to downfall.”
B
By having Claudius compliment Laertes, Shakespeare introduces the theme “Love is possible in the face of despair.”
C
By comparing Laertes’s expertise to Hamlet’s jealousy, Shakespeare emphasizes the theme “Jealousy leads to failure.”
D
When Claudius reveals Hamlet’s feelings for Laertes, Shakespeare illustrates the theme “Truth is hard to see.”
Explanation
Claudius praises Laertes’s fencing skill and claims Hamlet is jealous of it, using flattery to encourage Laertes to accept a deadly contest with Hamlet. Laertes’s pride in his abilities makes him more willing to follow Claudius’s plan, which contributes to his downfall. This supports the theme “Pride leads to downfall.”
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