Question

the tragedy of hamlet, prince of denmark
act ii. scene ii. (continued)
enter polonius.
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. (275)
rosencrantz: happily hes the second time come to them; for they say an old man is twice a child.
hamlet: i will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players; mark it. you say right, sir, o monday morning; twas so indeed.
polonius: my lord, i have news to tell you.
hamlet: my lord, i have news to tell you. when roscius was an actor in rome,—
polonius: the actors are come hither, my lord. (280)
hamlet: buzz, buzz!
polonius: upon my honour,—
hamlet: then came each actor on his ass,—
polonius: the best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral, tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral, scene individable, or poem unlimited; seneca cannot be too heavy, nor plautus too light. for the law of writ and the
what is the effect of the figurative language used in this excerpt? choose two correct answers.
it reveals hamlet’s distrust of gertrude.
it reveals hamlet’s plan for retaliation.
it reveals hamlet’s anger with himself.
it reveals hamlet’s love for ophelia.
it reveals hamlet’s hesitation to act.

Explanation:

1. Analyze each option:

• "It reveals Hamlet’s distrust of Gertrude": The excerpt focuses on Hamlet's interaction with Polonius and others, not on his feelings toward Gertrude. Eliminate this.
• "It reveals Hamlet’s plan for retaliation": The excerpt has no content related to a retaliation plan. Eliminate this.
• "It reveals Hamlet’s anger with himself": Hamlet's dialogue here, with the figurative language (like referring to Polonius as a "great baby") and his playful, self - deprecating or frustrated tone, can show his anger at his own inaction or situation. This is a valid option.
• "It reveals Hamlet’s love for Ophelia": The excerpt does not mention Ophelia or any feelings related to love for her. Eliminate this.
• "It reveals Hamlet’s hesitation to act": Hamlet's use of figurative language and his overall demeanor in this interaction, along with his known character trait of hesitation, makes this a valid option as it reflects his internal struggle with taking action.

Answer:

It reveals Hamlet’s anger with himself, It reveals Hamlet’s hesitation to act