Question

the tragedy of hamlet, prince of denmark
act iv. scene v.
\t\t\t\telsinore. a room in the castle.
\tenter gertrude, horatio, and a gentleman.
gertrude: i will not speak with her.
gentleman: she is importunate, indeed distract:
her mood will needs be pitied. (5)
gertrude: what would she have?
gentleman: she speaks much of her father; says she hears
theres tricks i the world; and hems, and beats her heart;
spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt,
that carry but half sense: her speech is nothing, (10)
yet the unshaped use of it doth move
the hearers to collection; they aim at it,
and botch the words up fit to their own thoughts;
which, as her winks, and nods, and gestures yield them,
indeed would make one think there might be thought, (15)
though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.
horatio: twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew
your table!
which words describe ophelia in the excerpt? choose three correct answers.
illogical
muddled
deceitful
controlling
melancholy

Explanation:

1. "illogical": The Gentleman says her speech "carries but half sense", showing her thoughts lack logical coherence.
2. "muddled": Her speech is described as "nothing" yet moving hearers, with unclear, confused expression (e.g., "speaks things in doubt").
3. "melancholy": The Gentleman notes "her mood will needs be pitied" and she speaks of her father unhappily, indicating sadness. "Deceitful" and "controlling" have no support in the excerpt.

Answer:

• illogical
• muddled
• melancholy