ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHT POET AND OTHERS

HAMLET

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Claudius notices that Hamlet is still mourning the death of his father, King Hamlet. Claudius tells Hamlet that his grief has gone on too long and is
A
reasonable
B
commendable
C
unmanly
D
obscene
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Claudius Lines 87-117 Claudius tells Hamlet that while grief for his father is appropriate, it’s inappropriate for him to continue grieving for so long. He tells him it is weak and unmanly to wallow in this grief. He tells Hamlet to think of him as being a new father to him.

Detailed explanation-2: -’Tis unmanly grief Claudius tries to sound friendly but is very critical of Hamlet, here suggesting that his grief makes him unmanly. Claudius lectures Hamlet, saying about the same thing that Gertrude did, but suggesting that Hamlet’s actions are against heaven.

Detailed explanation-3: -He is well and truly held in his grief, and in this moment in the play, Act 1, Scene 2, Claudius (Hamlet’s uncle – Now the King of Denmark) uses this speech to essentially tell Hamlet to ‘get over it’. Spoiler alert, it doesn’t work. Hamlet doesn’t ‘get over it’ any time soon.

Detailed explanation-4: -Claudius reminds Hamlet that he is next in line to the throne, and asks him not to return to school in Wittenberg, a request that Gertrude reiterates. Hamlet acquiesces without enthusiasm. Satisfied that they have had their way, Claudius and Gertrude leave Hamlet to his own thoughts.

Detailed explanation-5: -When a son loses a father, he is duty-bound to mourn, but to mourn for too long is unmanly and inappropriate. Claudius urges Hamlet to think of him as a father, reminding the prince that he stands in line to succeed to the throne upon Claudius’s death.

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