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 resemble When 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? Hamlet does not believe that Claudius killed his father. Hamlet is still undecided about avenging his father's death. Hamlet is shocked by Pyrrhus's merciless behavior. Hamlet admires Pyrrhus and wants to follow his example.

Hamlet admires Pyrrhus and wants to follow his example.

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? It indicates that Hamlet feels trapped. It reveals that Hamlet is being forced to stay. It proves that Hamlet's father was killed. It shows that Hamlet imagined the ghost.

It indicates that Hamlet feels trapped.

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. It shows Hamlet's willpower. It shows Hamlet's indecision. It shows Hamlet's determination. It shows Hamlet's confusion. It shows Hamlet's idleness. It shows Hamlet's success.

It shows Hamlet's indecision. It shows Hamlet's confusion. It shows Hamlet's idleness.

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. Hamlet: My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both? Rosencrantz: As the indifferent children of the earth. In this excerpt, Rosencrantz compares himself and Guildenstern to indifferent children. Which statement best describes the effect of this simile? It emphasizes that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Hamlet's good friends. It shows that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are innocent characters. It reveals that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have been friends since childhood. It uses a strong image to show that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sneaky.

It shows that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are innocent characters.

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. Why, what an ass 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! Which of these lines uses a simile to make a comparison? Check all that apply. Why, what an ass 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,

Must, like a *****, unpack my heart with words, And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,

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? She is confused by the sight of her murdered husband. She is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband. She is unaffected by the sight of her murdered husband. She is joyful at the sight of her murdered husband.

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

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

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

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. What is the effect of Hamlet's use of metaphor in this excerpt? The metaphor reveals that Hamlet respects Polonius. The metaphor shows that Hamlet wants Polonius's help. The metaphor portrays Polonius as foolish and weak. The metaphor establishes Polonius as angry and mean.

The metaphor portrays Polonius as foolish and weak.

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. Could force his soul so to his own conceit That from her working all his visage wann'd, Tears in his eyes, distraction in 's aspect, A broken voice, and his whole function suiting With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing! For Hecuba! Shakespeare's allusion to Hecuba suggests that Hamlet is irritated by the actor's emotional performance of the speech. is impressed by the actor's ability to cry for a fictional character. wishes the actor had shown more emotion during the speech. feels that the actor does not know who Hecuba really was.

is impressed by the actor's ability to cry for a fictional character.

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet. Hamlet: Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here that old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams: all which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down; for you yourself, sir, should be old as I am, if, like a crab, you could go backward. Which is a metaphor? old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum all which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe be old as I am, if, like a crab, you could go backward

their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum