Question

Read the excerpt from Act II of Hamlet.

When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
In mincing with his sword her husband’s limbs,
The instant burst of clamour that she made—
Unless things mortal move them not at all—
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,
And passion in the gods.

What does the excerpt about Hecuba suggest about her state of mind?

a.She is confused by the sight of her murdered husband.
B.She is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband.
C.She is unaffected by the sight of her murdered husband.
D.She is joyful at the sight of her murdered husband.

Answer 1

The answer is:

B. She is deeply distraught by the sight of her murdered husband.

In the excerpt from "Hamlet," the actors hired by Hamlet perform a play which is similar to his father's death, and makes Claudius watch it to see his reaction. In the play "The Murder of Gonzago," the king is murdered horribly in front of his wife, who screams with intense anguish and pain.