Question

select the correct answer from the drop-down menu.

read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3 of hamlet.

(70) ... do it, england;
for like the hectic in my blood he rages,
and thou must cure me: till i know tis done,
howeer my haps, my joys were neer begun.

what does this excerpt reveal about king claudius?

by asking england to \cure\ him, king claudius reveals that choose an answer

• he is feeling overwhelmed by guilt
• he lacks the courage to kill hamlet
• he is seriously ill and needs help
• he will be happy when hamlet is dead

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt

In Act 4, Scene 3 of Hamlet, King Claudius compares Hamlet to a fever ("the hectic in my blood") and asks England to execute Hamlet ("cure me"). He states that until he knows it is done, his joys will never begin ("till I know 'tis done, / Howe'er my haps, my joys were ne'er begun").

Evaluate the options

• "he is feeling overwhelmed by guilt": Incorrect. Claudius is focused on eliminating the threat of Hamlet to secure his crown, not expressing guilt here.
• "he lacks the courage to kill Hamlet": Incorrect. While he uses England to do the deed, the primary revelation of the "cure" and "joys" lines is about his state of mind regarding Hamlet's survival.
• "he is seriously ill and needs help": Incorrect. The illness is a metaphor for Hamlet's presence.
• "he will be happy when Hamlet is dead": Correct. He explicitly states his happiness ("joys") cannot begin until he knows Hamlet is dead ("till I know 'tis done").

Answer:

• he is feeling overwhelmed by guilt
• he lacks the courage to kill Hamlet
• he is seriously ill and needs help
• he will be happy when Hamlet is dead (Correct answer)