Question

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.


Ophelia: Alas! my lord, I have been so affrighted.


Polonius: With what, in the name of God?


Ophelia: My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,

Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbrac'd;

No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd,

Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ancle;

Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;

And with a look so piteous in purport

As if he had been loosed out of hell

To speak of horrors, he comes before me.


What is the most likely reason Shakespeare included this passage?


He explains Hamlet’s behavior through Ophelia’s dialogue, thereby tying up loose ends in the plot.

He introduces the conflict between Ophelia and Hamlet, thereby adding suspense and advancing the plot.

He characterizes the relationship between Ophelia and Polonius, thereby adding to the exposition in the plot.

He describes the

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. He introduces the conflict between Ophelia and Hamlet, thereby adding suspense and advancing the plot.

In this excerpt Shakespeare has described a disturbing scene between Ophelia and Hamlet and has sown the seeds of what could potentially develop between the characters, to the characters and in the story.

Answer 2

The correct answer is B, "he introduces the conflict between Ophelia and Hamlet, thereby adding suspense and advancing the plot."

Ophelia tells Polonius that Hamlet's behavior is strange, she describes what Hamlet did and the way he shooked her. She was terrified.

Ophelia tells her father what happens.

Hamlet tried to convince the court that he is crazy and if Polonius believed so, it can help to his cause.

Previously, Ophelia had been instructed by Polonius to stopped answer Hamlet's letters.