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 he’s 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
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 portrays polonius as foolish and weak.
the metaphor reveals that hamlet respects polonius.
the metaphor shows that hamlet wants polonius’s help.
the metaphor establishes polonius as angry and mean.

Explanation:

To determine the effect of Hamlet's metaphor ("that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling - clouts"), we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Comparing Polonius to a baby still in swaddling - clouts implies foolishness and weakness, as babies are dependent and lack maturity. This fits the mocking tone of Hamlet towards Polonius.
• Option 2: The metaphor is mocking, not respectful, so this is incorrect.
• Option 3: Hamlet is mocking, not seeking help, so this is wrong.
• Option 4: The metaphor mocks, not shows anger or meanness in Polonius, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

The metaphor portrays Polonius as foolish and weak.