Hamlet, Part 3: Figurative Language And Allusions

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. The rugged Pyrrhus, like the Hyrcanian beast,—'tis not so, it begins with Pyrrhus:—The rugged Pyrrhus, he, whose sable arm,Black as his purpose, did the night resembleWhen he lay couched in the ominous horse, Pyrrhus is a figure from Greek mythology who avenges the death of his father by brutally killing King Priam. What does the excerpt suggest about Hamlet's state of mind? a. Hamlet does not believe that Claudius killed his father. b. Hamlet is still undecided about avenging his father's death. c. Hamlet is shocked by Pyrrhus's merciless behavior. d. Hamlet admires Pyrrhus and wants to follow his example.

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. But I am pigeon-liver'd, and lack gall To make oppression bitter, or ere this I should have fatted all the region kites With this slave's offal. Bloody, bawdy villain!Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!O! vengeance!Why, what an a** am I! This is most brave That I, the son of a dear father murder'd,Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,Must, like a *****, unpack my heart with words,And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,A scullion! What is the effect of the figurative language used in this excerpt? Check all that apply. a. It reveals Hamlet's anger with himself. b. It reveals Hamlet's love for Ophelia. c. It reveals Hamlet's plan for vengeance. d. It reveals Hamlet's hesitation to act. e. It reveals Hamlet's distrust of Gertrude. f. It reveals Hamlet's vision of the ghost as real.

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. What is the effect of Hamlet's use of metaphors in this excerpt? a. The metaphors prove that Hamlet is angry with his mother. b. The metaphors show that Hamlet is still feeling hopeful. c. The metaphors reveal Hamlet's plan to murder Claudius. d. The metaphors emphasize Hamlet's state of depression.

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. What does the excerpt about Hecuba suggest about her state of mind? a. She is confused by the sight of her murdered husband. b. She is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband. c. She is unaffected by the sight of her murdered husband. d. She is joyful at the sight of her murdered husband.

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. Yet I,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. What is the effect of the figurative language used in this excerpt? Check all that apply. a. It shows Hamlet's willpower. b. It shows Hamlet's indecision. c. It shows Hamlet's determination. d. It shows Hamlet's confusion. e. It shows Hamlet's idleness. f. It shows Hamlet's success.

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. Guildenstern: Prison, my lord! Hamlet: Denmark's a prison. Rosencrantz: Then is the world one. Hamlet: A goodly one; in which there are many confines, wards, and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst. In this excerpt, Hamlet compares Denmark to a prison. Which statement best describes the effect of this metaphor? a. It indicates that Hamlet feels trapped. b. It reveals that Hamlet is being forced to stay. c. It proves that Hamlet's father was killed. d. It shows that Hamlet imagined the ghost.

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. The figurative language in these lines is an example of a. a metaphor. b. a simile. c. an apostrophe. d. personification.

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, Which of these lines is a metaphor? a. Admit no messengers, receive no tokens. b. Which done, she took the fruits of my advice; c. And he, repulsed,—a short tale to make,— d. Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

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? What is the effect of Hamlet's use of metaphors in this excerpt? a. It establishes that Hamlet is poverty-stricken. b. It establishes that Hamlet dislikes his friends. c. It establishes that Hamlet suffers hardships. d. It establishes that Hamlet has little gratitude.

Which statement best explains why Hamlet alludes to Pyrrhus throughout Act II, Scene ii of Hamlet? a. The allusion highlights the idea of avenging a father's murder. b. The allusion proves that Claudius killed Hamlet's father. c. The allusion emphasizes the idea of a mother's betrayal. d. The allusion suggests that Hamlet imagined his father's ghost.