Question

which statement best explains why shakespeare alludes to hecuba throughout act ii, scene ii of hamlet?
like gertrude, hecuba shows little emotion after the death of her husband.
in contrast to gertrude, hecuba takes revenge on her husband’s killer.
like gertrude, hecuba has married the brother of her dead husband.
in contrast to gertrude, hecuba is the ideal image of a grieving widow.

Explanation:

In Act II, Scene ii of Hamlet, Shakespeare uses the allusion to Hecuba (the grieving widow of King Priam of Troy, who mourned deeply for her husband and homeland) to contrast with Gertrude. Gertrude remarried quickly after King Hamlet’s death, showing little proper grief. Hecuba, however, is portrayed as the ideal grieving widow—devoted, sorrowful, and faithful in her mourning. Option A is incorrect because Hecuba was deeply emotional in her grief. Option B is incorrect as Hecuba’s story does not involve taking revenge on her husband’s killer in the way the option suggests. Option C is incorrect because Gertrude married her husband’s brother (Claudius), while Hecuba’s situation was different. Thus, the contrast between Hecuba as the ideal grieving widow and Gertrude’s hasty remarriage explains the allusion.

Answer:

D. In contrast to Gertrude, Hecuba is the ideal image of a grieving widow.